Classic Cars

It may be 32 years old but this 1991 Holden Commodore Exec has travelled a mere 61,000kms from new, in the hands of, evidently, two careful owners. And it’s not one of the NZ-only poverty spec 4 cylinder examples that were assembled in Trentham. Holdens had been assembled in Trentham since 1967 but that plant was closed in November 1990. So this would’ve been one of the first Fully Aussie Assembled rep-spec VNs to land on our shores, complete with the 3.8 V6 and a 5 speed manual gearbox. And you can bid on it. Read on...

The Toyota Hilux is an international phenomenon, used by everyone from farmers and tradies to accountants and despot dictators. But since the Barry Crump and ‘bugger’ ads from the 80s and 90s NZ has felt a special bond with Toyota’s bomb-proof workhorse. Now the earlier survivors are taking on cult classic status. Like this one. Read on...

The eighties were the era of stone wash denim, Ocean Pacific tank tops, poodle hair and digital dashboards, and the fourth generation C4 Corvette fits in with this era perfectly. It couldn’t be any more eighties if the stereo only played ‘Hot for Teacher’ by Van Halen on repeat. This one is for sale at Turners Christchurch at a very 1980s price. Read on...

If the Fairmont featured last week was the Sales exec’s car of choice then the Falcon wagon was the family choice – the family taxi. It’s huge, you could almost live in it, and these days it’s pretty rare, especially in this condition. It has had just two owners from new, the most recent since 1985, and is ready to drive away. This survivor is being auctioned online right now. Is it big enough for you? Read on...

Toyota J series Landcruiser prices have become wince inducing in recent times, possibly because good, rust free examples are hard to find and restoration costs are frightening. So when an incredibly low mileage one shows up dressed as a fire engine it’s time to put on your brave pants and bid like a boss. Read on...

One of the main issues with owning a big American imported car in NZ is having the controls on the wrong side. It’s a long way from the driver’s seat to the ticket dispenser at a car park and any coolness you’d built up by driving your dream machine quickly leaks away as you try to – unsuccessfully – get your car into the car park, with a crowd watching on, while retaining some dignity. Not a problem with this 1966 Impala that’s being auctioned with a $1 reserve – it has been converted to RHD. Read on...

The term “barn find” has become as popular as other doozies such as “ran when parked”, “easy project” and “mint except for minor rust” when it comes to advertising old cars. But these two cars at Turners Christchurch are worthy of the term. 50+ years of hibernation makes these very rare British sports cars amazing discoveries that will be sold “as found”. Read on...

Turner’s Collector car auction was held on Saturday in Christchurch, and while some of the heavy hitter modern Holdens failed to find new homes there were plenty of other great cars that did including a family reunion. Read on...

Of the Aussie classics of the seventies the Chrysler Valiant is perhaps the one that is still a bit undervalued compared to the big Holden and Ford competitors from the era. Still, good ones are few and far between so finding one for sale in such fantastic original condition presents a rare opportunity to invest in a car still on an upward curve. Read on...