A recent study undertaken by UK classic car and vehicle insurers Footman James claims that classic cars do less damage to the environment than new cars, including EVs. The findings state that since an average classic car tends to have limited use each year over modern cars, which are largely used as daily drivers and generate large amounts of CO2 …
By Ben Selby If you know classic cars, chances are you know the 1955 Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe. You are also probably aware this one-of-two ever built unicorn changed hands for a mind- boggling $142 million US ($220.4 million NZ). The buyer, an anonymous but we can safely assume a very wealthy, car collector who was able to secure …
Even though the days are getting shorter and cooler, the month of May saw various groups tour our museum. The stand-out by far was the Amberley Friendship Group visit. Not only did the members enjoy a High Tea Luncheon, but some even dressed up! It was so much fun. After lunch they meandered around the museum, enjoying the change of …
When many think of Oxford, a beautiful town set the heart of England which played host to one Inspector Morse and his MK2 Jag on TV tends to spring to mind. However, for those in the South Island, Oxford is a Canterbury town which has plenty to offer, especially as a destination for classic car fans and owners. The drive …
By Ben Selby When Citroen launched the fabled DS at the Paris Motor Show in 1955, the car world changed forever. For perspective, try to picture the European motoring landscape of the post war years. During the late forties, the vast majority of cars produced look just as they did before WW2. Vertical radiator grills and high rooflines were the …
This group of young men, from all over Canterbury, enjoyed a stroll through our museum in April. Recalling memories of yesteryear, the cars they or their families had owned, or, that they had worked on as panel beaters back in the day. We always love hearing your stories, they’re always different. Thanks so much for joining us Gentlemen – see you again …
By Ben Selby What does the Ferrari 250 GTO, the Lamborghini V12 engine and the Iso Grifo all have in common? Well, apart from these being grand testimonials to Italian car design, one man had a hand their creation. That man was Giotto Bizzarrini and we owe him a lot. Born in Livorno, Italy in 1926, the young Bizzarrini had …
By Ben Selby The day was hot, the sky was blue and best of all, the New Zealand Government had decreed outdoor gatherings under the COVID-19 traffic light system would no longer be limited to groups of 100 to 200 people. Throw all this together and you have the perfect template for a grand day out with countless petrolheads and …
Wow! This group arrived mid March and really took us by surprise. Some exceptional American cars that were beautifully restored and a joy to watch driving into our grounds. Many of which are quite rare in New Zealand. They loved that we had an ‘old girl’ tucked away and lovingly restored.
