|
Subscribe to receive this newsletter each month
Greetings to the faithful
|
The weather bomb that clobbered much of New Zealand over the Christmas period struck my family and I as we travelled
to East Cape in our gently aging twin-port Kombi.
Slips on SH38 meant an unexpected night camping at the picturesque Waikaremoana motor camp.
Not only is it a beautiful spot to be stuck in, but the wheel of fate ended up pulling together a disparate bunch of campers
|
|
under a tarpaulin to watch the original Easy Rider, on a generator-powered TV. A
great movie, although definitely a period piece heavily influenced by actor/director
Dennis Hopper's relationship with LSD. As well as being a kick-off point for Jack
Nicolson's career, the movie catapulted customised Harley Davidsons into the
limelight. In hindsight, this was a good thing as Harley were just entering the
mind-numbingly ugly AMF period in their corporate history.
Driving the next day I started thinking about how over time certain movies and
television programmes have thrown a handful of vehicles into the collective
consciousness in a way that has mashed up and consolidated the vehicles' brands.
And, with a few notable loner exceptions - like Kowalski's Challenger in
"Vanishing
Point" - two characters are typically featured together with a car. And, if they are
tragically flawed action figures, then so much the better.
This month MOD's Motors takes a look over some of the cars made famous on the
big and small screen, cars that would be synonymous with history, fashion and pop
culture. In many cases, cars whose values have catapulted into the stratosphere as a
result (XA GT Falcons in the wake of Mad Max being a great example).
We've also got 10 tickets to give away to the 2012 Classic Festival at Pukekohe,
one of the great staples of the motorsport year, so check out the competition below
if you know your Manx history.
Also a magnificent readers ride, and all the weird shite from the faithful. So let's get into it.
Bo and Luke Duke and the flying Hemi
|
Bo and Luke Duke, the redneck cousins from the deep South were so cliched, that no producer in their right mind should have accepted a
"Dukes of Hazard" script.
Fortunately someone did, and in doing so transformed the 6.3 litre Dodge Charger into an icon, and General Lee into a household name.
We had a faithful copy on the site last week,
which may have even featured in the series. Check out that sale price.
|
Starsky and Hutch
|
Thirty years before the dreadful "Starsky and Hutch" movie, was a dirty, poorly produced and utterly brilliant TV series that upset censors but delighted viewers.
Amongst the things that made the show were gratuitious violence, scantily-clad women and a thumping great Ford Torino with a shotgun under the seat.
One of the faithful down South has his mint replica up for sale right now.
Someone tell my wife to buy it for me quick.
|
|
|
Just call me Vin
From small beginnings "The Fast and the Furious" series of movies has had a huge run, and had a massive influence on the ways that the boy racer set dress up their cars.
In the original, Dom's NOS-assisted Batty pretty much killed Brian's Mitsi.
Currently there's a very well priced Bathurst RB RX7 on the site down in my old home town, Timaru.
An appreciating asset I reckon.
|
Gone in 60 Seconds
Nicolas Cage has done some brilliant movies like
"Wild at Heart", and some clangers like "Ghost Rider".
"Gone in 60 Seconds"
thankfully falls into the first category and his nemesis there was a Shelby Cobra called Eleanor.
We've got a genuine Shelby on site
at the moment. She ain't cheap but quality never is - check out those side scoops.
|
|
|
|
Doyle and Bodie
Ford must have sponsored counter terrorist cult show "The Professionals", as it seemed the likeable misfits Doyle and Bodie were always driving
RS2000s or hopped-up Granadas.
But the primo ride was Bodie's V6 Capri. Short on suspension but long on torque (my wife says the same about me).
Here's a genuine 3 litre owned by one of
the best Capri racers in the country.
|
Pre-Purchase Inspection with VTNZ
|
|
It may look like a sweet deal at first glance, but don't end up buying a lemon. Make sure you get a Pre-Purchase Inspection before you buy with VTNZ.
|
This month's letter
This month's letter is from Rod of Blenheim. "Hey MOD. I couldn't believe that jet
boats were in the top 10 Trade Me searches leading into Christmas, did you rig that
or what? Anyway we're thinking about buying a jet for a bit of family boating in
rivers and lakes. What do you recommend?". Hey Rod, I had nothing to do with it
but thanks for the flattery. Jet boats are to motorsport, what ballet is to dance. The
biggest call is whether you'll go for a factory item - like a Hamilton or Scott - or
whether you're happy risking a bespoke pull-together. Here's a selection of both:
Five most popular vehicle auctions
|
Five hottest classics
|
|
More enjoyable garbage from the faithful
|
|
|
Our reader's ride this month is from Roxy of Glen Eden.
At the same time as working her way through an education degree, Roxy has been restoring a very original Fiat 131 Super Mirafiori.
And she's done a stunning job (with a skerrick of help from her panel beater dad, Shane).
Roxy has done a twin carb conversion to the twin cam motor and the interior is done in full grain black leather.
A stunning car Roxy, and I bet it puts all those rice burners in West Auckland to shame.
Thanks for sending it in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks to all the people who entered last month's competition about Wanganui's world famous Cemetery Circuit Motorcycle Race.
The correct answer to the question as to the first year the race was run was 1951.
Another motorcycling question this month.
Tell me the name of the 7x Manx winner who will be competing at the 2012 Classic Festival at Pukekohe.
First 10 correct entries win tickets to the Pukekohe Classic Festival in February.
Email your answer to isolastic@trademe.co.nz.
That's it for this issue. Thanks for taking the time to read MOD's Motors.
Don't forget to email me at kropotkin@trademe.co.nz with your vehicle for Reader's Rides and events for March's calendar.
Don't forget to include a URL.
And have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Remember, when there's gas in the tank, there's hope.
MOD 
www.trademe.co.nz
MOD's views seldom reflect those of Trade Me.
For more from MOD, check out The MOD Blog.
|
|
