November ‘Targa NZ’ issue of NZ Classic Car – on sale now!

It’s time once again to get down to your local magazine store and pick up the latest NZ Classic Car magazine because the November issue has just reached the shelves. The new issue is packed with feature articles, news and special features, all to keep you up-to-date on NZ’s classic car scene.

In this month’s issue we have included a special 2011 Targa programme that has driver listings for all the cars, maps and a schedule so you can find the stages and driver profiles so you know who the key competitors are. If you’re planning on being a 2011 Targa spectator then you’ll want this programme. In keeping with the Targa NZ theme we are featuring three of this year’s competitors with full articles. These include Allan Lewis’ V8-powered Datsun 240Z, Dion Arnold’s Toyota FX-GT and the BMW 635 CSi of Gerry Hodges. Elsewhere in the magazine we have an exclusive preview of an upcoming book – The Bruce McLaren Scrapbook. We also document the return of OSCA racing to New Zealand and we catch up with the crew at Hitech Motorsport in Auckland. Read the rest of this entry »

August issue of NZ Classic Car – On sale now!

It’s time to get down to your local magazine outlet for a fresh dose of NZ Classic Car magazine because the August issue has reached the shelves nationwide today. The new issue is packed with brilliant feature articles, news and event reports, all to keep you up-to-date on NZ’s thriving classic car scene.

In this month’s issue we show some muscle with a mint 1970 Dodge Challenger cover car, this macho machine has been fully restored and packs a heavyweight punch with its 383ci engine. Other feature cars include a totally original 1966 Holden HR Premier Wagon and a prime example of Mazda’s rotary-engined RX-4 from Invercargill. We take a fascinating look at a rare sports racer from the late 60′s – the Nerus F100 Silhouette and our Motor Man Donn Anderson recalls the arrival of the Datsun 1600 to NZ. We catch up with two younger classic car enthusiasts and check out their growing collections and we have a special feature celebrating 100 years of the Indianapolis 500 race. Our Motorsport Flashback section pays tribute to kiwi race legend Kenny Smith and we have a supplement that features some of the best local parts suppliers in NZ. Read the rest of this entry »

Nissan and Datsun fans heading to Nizfest this weekend

If you’re a big Nissan or Datsun fan then there’s an automotive event on this weekend that will appeal directly to your tastes. The annual Nizfest weekend kicks off tomorrow and marks a time to celebrate everything Nissan with two days of of automotive activities for owners of Nissan and Datsun vehicles to celebrate the past, present and future motorsport history of these brands.

This Saturday (Nov 20) the days activities will take place at Hampton Downs where some serious track action will take place. There will be GT-R R35s on track and Steve Millen will be running hot laps in his awesome R35 GT-R Targa car (pictured), there’s a show and shine comp, trade stalls, Offroad trucks and loads of other stuff.

On Sunday the action moves to Fram Autolite Dragway in Meremere for the drag racing component. There’s also a burnout comp and of course, a bikini competition.

There’s plenty to see and do at Nizfest and it all gets started tomorrow, so if you’re a Nissan enthusiast be sure to check it out.

To find out more about Nizfest, go to www.nizfest.co.nz

1971 Datsun 240Z and 2009 Nissan 370Z – Z Car Revival – 227

The evolution of Nissan’s Z cars hasn’t come without setbacks and growing pains. The Z badge has never enjoyed a long uninterrupted evolution like the benchmark Porsche 911. But with pain comes strength, and Nissan is back flexing its design and engineering muscle with the most recent branch on the Z family tree — the 370Z.

The exterior aesthetic of the 370Z offers a buffet of styling cues and athletic lines, but it’s not until you slide into the car’s enveloping leather and suede bucket seats that it becomes clear this is a modern sports car without compromise. Surrounding the driver is a range of soft, tactile, leather-bound surfaces and high quality materials. It’s a dark, purposeful cabin lightened by silver and brushed metal accents and the use of various circular shapes.

Modern touches collide with traditional Z elements, such as a digital clock amongst the three, dashboard-mounted auxiliary gauges. With the main instrument cluster tied to the adjustable steering column, power adjustable seats and a closely located gear-stick, finding a comfortable driving position presents no difficulty. Once that’s achieved, hit the push-button start and the engine awakens with a raspy note. Bury a foot into the floor-hinged accelerator pedal, and any notion that the 370Z is a mere retro-themed toy will be left behind — rapidly.

As the sixth vehicle to wear the ‘Z’ badge, the 370Z has a range of ancestors from which to draw comparisons, but the yardstick for measuring any Z car remains the original Datsun 240Z.

The First Z

The significance of the 240Z is greater than just being the first Z produced, it played a starring role in changing the world’s perception of Japanese performance cars. Before the 240Z, Japanese sports cars were often viewed as simply too small, too uncomfortable and worse, underpowered. This harsh global opinion lit a fire under one Nissan executive, Yutaka Katayama — who would later become known as Mr K. During the late 1960s, Mr K set about creating a Japanese sports car to silence the critics. Fuelled by a passion for the Jaguar E-Type, which he viewed as perfection, Mr K sketched out his pivotal design criteria.

The new Nissan coupe had to be designed for safety and comfort with a unique style, it would make use of part sharing for low development costs, be innovative in its design and technology, be functional and, most importantly, fast.

It was a tall order, but in 1969 Mr K’s dream became reality with the launch of the 240Z. The 240Z fulfilled the challenging criteria, impressed critics and, thanks to low pricing, became a sales success. The rest, as they say, is history.

Mr K’s story is an interesting one, but that was 40 years ago and we now live in more cynical times, so fresh evidence of the 240Z’s merits is required.

Read the rest of this entry »

Nissan celebrates 240Z anniversary with special 370Z

Nissan is releasing a special edition model to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic Datsun 240Z. The Nissan 370Z Black Edition will be limited to just 370 units all coupes, and will all be painted in either black or quartz.

So what extras are on offer? The car will ride on 19-inch forged aluminum RAYS rims in dark grey, which cover brake calipers painted in red.  On the interior, red leather and suede is used for the door inserts and seats.  The red theme is also repeated on the stitching of the dark grey leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as the centre control stack and instruments.  Special logos and badging are mandatory and can be found on the seats, and on the exterior.  The car’s infotainment consists of a sat-nav, seven-inch touchscreen, Bose audio system, hard drive and USB port.

No real performance mods have been made and like the stock model, the special edition gets Nissan’s 241 kW 3.7-liter V6 engine.  With a manual transmission the car hits 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds on its way to an electronically-limited 250kph top speed.

The Nissan 370Z Black Edition has just become avaiilable for order in the UK.  It won’t come cheap over there and pricing begins at £33,645 ($76,500 NZ). Nissan expects to be making deliveries by April.

1973 Fairlady 240Z

The Fairlady Z (S30) was launched as the 2000 series in November 1969. Two years later in November 1971, the 240Z was added to the domestic lineup (it had previously only been available as a North American export model). Offering high power and superior maneuverability, the 240Z did well in overseas rallies, coming in 1st overall in the 1971 and 1973 Safari Rally. This commemorative car is the No.1 car that won in 1973, driven by S. Mehta and Lofty Drews.

Overall length / width / height	4,115/1,630/1,305mm
Wheelbase	2,305mm
Tread (front/rear)	1,355/1,345mm
Curb weight	1,100kg
Engine	L24 (6-cyl. in line, OHC), 2,497cc
EngineMax. power	165W (225PS)/7,200rpm
EngineMax. torque	250Nm (25.5kgm)/4,800rpm
EngineCarburetors	Solex 44PHH (x3)
Transmission	5-speed, direct-coupled
Suspension	Strut (front & rear)
Brakes (front/rear)	Disc/drum
Tires (DL PW81)	FR70-14 (front & rear)
Fuel tank capacity	100 liters
Model Number	HS30

1958 Datsun 210 “Fuji”

In order to improve high-speed performance, a newly developed OHV 1,000cc engine was adopted. The designers were thinking of future export potential when they also added such features as curved glass for the windshield. It was launched in November 1957. In August-September of the following year at the Around Australia rally (16,000km in 19 days), it teamed up with another 210 (“Sakura”) and came first in Class A (25th overall).

Overall length / width / height	3,860/1,466/1,535mm
Wheelbase	2,220mm
Curb weight	925kg
Engine	Type C (4-cyl. in line, OHV)
EngineDisplacement	988cc
EngineMax. power	25kW (34PS)/4,400rpm
EngineMax. torque	65Nm (6.6kgm)/2,400rpm
Gear ratios	4.94, 3.01, 1.73, 1.0
Final reduction ratio	5.57
Suspension	Leaf rigid (front & rear)
Brakes	Drum(front & rear)
Top speed	95km/h
Model number	210

1958 Datsun 210 “Sakura”

Together with the Fuji 210, Sakura entered the 1958 Around Australia rally (official name: Around Australia Mobilgas Trial) and came 4th in Class A (Car No. 14: Minawa/Oya). The newly developed OHV engine (nicknamed the Stone Engine) powering the 210 displayed extraordinary stamina. Both cars completed the harsh course, which virtually circumnavigates the entire continent, an extraordinary feat that will always be remembered.

Overall length / width / height	3,860/1,466/1,535mm
Wheelbase	2,220mm
Curb weight	925kg
Engine	Type C (4-cyl. in line, OHV)
EngineDisplacement	988cc
EngineMax. power	25kW (34PS)/4,400rpm
EngineMax. torque	65Nm (6.6kgm)/2,400rpm
Gear ratios	4.94, 3.01, 1.73, 1.0
Final reduction ratio	5.57
Suspension	Leaf rigid (front & rear)
Brakes	Drum (front & rear)
Top speed	95km/h
Model number	210