Classics

Auto Trader Insights: The leading NZ car blog for reviews, news, and expert buying and selling advice
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10 February 2025

Government proposes longer WOFs for classics

The government is moving to ease compliance requirements for vintage vehicles and privately owned motorhomes, proposing a reduction in the frequency of Warrant of Fitness (WOF) and Certificate of Fitness (COF) inspections. Currently, vintage light vehicles—defined as cars and motorcycles over 40 years old—along with private heavy motorhomes, must undergo inspections every six months. The proposed change, announced by Transport
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Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 1970, green, parked in front of Auckland War Memorial Museum
1 December 2024
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1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

Nothing projects a high roller lifestyle quite like a Rolls-Royce. Here we check out an uber cool 1970 Silver Shadow, which is remarkably affordable. There was a time...
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2 November 2024
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1974 AMC Javelin 401

The AMC Javelin may be the forgotten one of the pony car era but that makes it a bit special. It is a rare sight on our roads...
Honda S660 Mugen in red, parked in front of an urban wall
22 September 2024
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2017 Honda S660 Mugen RA

The S660 channels Honda’s commitment to its sporting heritage. It’s from a long line of dynamic heroes, and is one that proves you don’t need a big donk...
Chevrolet Impala front quarter view, parked at an Auckland park
24 August 2024
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1959 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe

The 1959 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe is a prime example of American chromed excess. It’s big and shiny and draws a lot of attention. Things were simple back...
Mitsuoka-Le-Seyde in white, parked, shot from behind a flax bush
28 July 2024
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1990 Mitsuoka Le-Seyde

Some cars attract attention, and then there is the Mitsuoka Le-Seyde. It’s out there man. Japanese automakers have been responsible for a fair few four-wheeled wheeled oddities over...
Ford Mustang GT 2007 in yellow, parked on a wet road
7 July 2024
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2007 Ford Mustang GT

The fifth-generation Ford Mustang mixed the great style of the nameplate’s legacy with modern mechanicals to make a retro special. Here we explore the options for buyers and...
Subaru Brumby 1981 in red, parked on a beach, being admired
1 June 2024
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1981 Subaru Brumby

Subaru is renowned for its AWD vehicles, not for its pick-up trucks. But the Japanese firm did turn out a utility vehicle once, and they even made it...
Audi RS4 tracking shot, B5, B7, B8 in motion
5 May 2024
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Audi RS 4 – Evolution of a wagon icon

Audi has been dedicated to improving its RS 4 over the past few decades. Here we gather four generations of wagons to see how the formula has evolved....
Mercedes 230 SL Pagoda, panning shot shown from the front quarter
7 April 2024
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1964 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL – Pagoda

The now proud owner of this Mercedes-Benz 230 SL recounts the tale of how he finally got his dream ride ready and registered for life in New Zealand....
21 September 2025
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Classics Revisited

We return to the ever-changing Classics Museum in Hamilton, home to a trove of collectible automotive treasure. It had been a while since we last visited the Classics Museum. And it was personally my first time when we trekked there recently to pay homage to the great Bugatti recreation, featured last month.  The Classics Museum has been in operation since
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23 August 2025
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Bugatti Type 57S Atlantic Coupe

Here we tell the tale of a mammoth undertaking to recreate a famous lost Bugatti. While having one rare and desirable vintage Bugatti might be enough for some, Classics Museum owner Tom Andrews is not your typical collector.  Having purchased a Type 57 Ventoux in Paris in 2015, he was then inspired to recreate a famous Bugatti lost to history.
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2 August 2025
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2005 BMW M3

Each enthusiast will have their favourite generation of BMW’s M3. This clean-looking E46 is the gen-three version, the one with a melodious six-cylinder engine.  Finding the carpet with the throttle pedal for the first time in the E46 M3 helped stir the soul. What a wondrous wail. It’s all sorts of good. This is what an M3 should sound like,
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8 July 2025
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1941 Ford GPW Jeep 

As the clouds of an impending Second World War began to gather during the late 1930s, Allied Governments began to revaluate their tools for defence. The United States Army quickly realised the need for a simple, easy to use and rugged tool to keep soldiers mobile on the battlefield. This process started in 1937 with the US Army spending the
Ford GPW Jeep in green on gravel