Auto Channel 30

ISSUE 30 NOVEMBER 2020

THE VOICE OF THE NEW ZEALAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

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AFC’s plan comes together EVEN BEFORE THE FIRST CONCRETE POUR, IVECO TRUCKS NEW ZEALAND IS REAPING THE BENEFITS OF PLANNING THE LUBE RETICULATION SYSTEM FOR ITS NEW TRUCK WORKSHOP AND MAIN SALES OFFICE hen Iveco decided to set up its first workshop in New Zealand, it called in Advance Fluid Control (AFC) to design and install the lubricant dispensing and waste fluid systems. AFC director Ronnie Malcolm says being called in right at the planning stage was one of the key advantages and one of the biggest influences in the project’s success.

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“Sometimes, the construction is almost completed and this can make it very difficult to gain access for services in a specific area. A little forethought can be so valuable,” Ronnie says. “Of course we often work with existing buildings, too, but it was great being able to plan the system for Iveco prior to construction starting.”

Iveco sales consultant Trevor Wills worked on the project as the oil company rep at the time. He

says considerations about oil systems even dictated some aspects of the workshop’s layout. Project manager Jason Cossill, now Iveco’s Aftersales Business Manager, says the company wanted a gantry crane over the two heavy maintenance bays but that would conflict with overhead oil lines. So ducting for the oil, water, and air lines was dropped into the floor before the slab was laid to supply the four bays in that area.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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1-30 November 2020

We’ll give you a

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*All ex stock Forward or Direct-Lift Hoists sold at list price includes 4 Post Hoists, Alignment Scissor and Column Lifts and all ex stock Heshbon 4 Post and Alignment Scissor Lifts. Images show some optional extras not included in list price. Conditions may apply. Talk to your Branch Manager, Rep or Equipment Specialist for full details.

2021 REPCO SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP

Contents

From the Ed.

10 The good oil

Cover / 6

Launch of trade parts for Holdens

6

Euro parts for Euro cars

8

Purchasing survey results

18

Photo estimates — good or bad?

22

Car news

26

Car feature: Galaxie quest

30

Tech feature: Kiwi GT40s

36

Product profiles

40

Directory listing

44

his month, we take a look at a large truck workshop and the thought that went into planning its lube reticulation system. The article highlights the value of thinking carefully before committing. It’s not a new project but it shows the value of thinking ahead. It was planned with extra bays for growth and, when we visited the other day, every bay was full. AFC, which planned and implemented the fit-out, paid tribute to Iveco for going for a high specification, as the extra convenience would pay for itself in efficiency over time.

We also feature stories on companies such as Automaster and All Euro Parts, which also advocate investing in quality that delivers value over time. It’s the same message from Holden, too. It might have passed another milestone in winning its last Bathurst with a factory team in October, but the company is committed to keeping customers’ cars on the road for as long as possible by using genuine Holden and ACDelco parts.

Quality is a byword for David Brown, too.

David builds quite possibly the world’s best GT40 replicas. See our Tech Feature to get the lowdown on this story from the Deep South.

Times might be testing but quality will always count.

T

Ian Parkes, Editor

24

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Planning for pumps

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It also made sense to locate the three bays dedicated to van servicing at the greatest distance from the bulk tanks. They use lighter weight oils than the trucks, and it can be pumped further using the same specification pumps.

Jason says the decision not to have workshop pits but to install an in-ground truck and trailer hoist — the first of its kind in New Zealand — also dictated some waste-oil-handling choices. It means engine and transmission oil, and coolants, are drained into mobile telescopic oil drain units, avoiding the need for pit pumps.

While the mobile oil collectors are relatively stable and spill protected, AFC suggested installing pump-out stations at either side of the workshop.

They connect to the oil collectors and pump oil directly to the main waste oil tank.

“You don’t want people wheeling large quantities of oil about,” says Jason.

Similar transfer systems are installed alongside for waste coolant; they have different fittings to prevent cross-contamination.

Ronnie says another outstanding aspect of the project was the quality of the relationship they established, a comment echoed by Jason.

“Ronnie and his team were thoughtful and excellent to work with,” he says. The outcome was a clear understanding on both sides of what would be delivered, which meant that no last-minute changes or modifications were required.

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NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Parkside Media uses due care and diligence in the preparation of this magazine, but is not responsible or liable for any mistakes, misprints, omissions, or typographical errors. Parkside Media prints advertisements provided to the publisher but gives no warranty and makes no representation to the truth, accuracy, or sufficiency of any description, photograph, or statement. Parkside Media accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relies either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph, or statement contained herein. Parkside Media reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Parkside Media, the publisher, or editor. All material published, gathered, or created for Auto Channel is copyright 2019 Parkside Media Limited. All rights reserved in all media. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher.

Auto Channel is the best way to reach the wider automotive industry. The publication is direct mailed to 11,298 New Zealand businesses in the following automotive sectors: Automotive workshops, parts importers and distributors, transmission specialists, automotive recyclers, towing operators, panel beaters and painters, crash repairers, tyre dealers, suspension and underbody repairers, steering specialists, towing operators, auto-electrical repairers, newand used-car dealers, air-conditioning repairers, heavy-machinery dealers, trucking and transport

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

Jason Cossill and Trevor Wills overlooking Iveco Trucks’ well-oiled workshop

Maximum efficiency Iveco wanted a system that maximized efficiency in each of the nine workshop services bays. That meant fluid-dispensing equipment would be on hand in each bay, avoiding the downtime involved in acquiring lubes from across the workshop and the potential for spills. The best way to achieve that was with reel-type dispensers with metered nozzles.

Ronnie said that reel dispensing systems are an obvious choice for trucks and larger machinery workshops and are also a worthwhile investment for high-volume car service bays. They minimize the potential for spills and errors. That is a major consideration on heavy vehicles where access can

be more difficult.These dispensers also keep work areas free and uncluttered.

As an international organization with a focus on efficiency and return on investment, Iveco endorsed the approach of not skimping on service points. “They were prepared to invest in a professional system upfront, as they understood the cost of downtime and inefficiencies,� says Ronnie.

Jason Cossill commented that the project still had budgetary constraints and, while some changes were made, they were mostly made in other areas.

An option to install dispensing nozzles that integrate with invoicing systems was excluded, but as they operate via Bluetooth that can be a simple upgrade later.

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Thinking ahead Ronnie reiterated that early planning is key to designing an efficient lube system and that is especially worthwhile in a new build. Thinking about oil systems after the building has been erected will usually result in missed opportunities.

“This often means tank rooms, pipe runs, ducting, and reel-mounting positions have not been considered or have been poorly placed,” he explains.

AFC drew up plans with visuals so the Iveco team could check the systems would meet their expectations and make any necessary modifications to the whole plan before sign-off and installation began. Most of the work was done in the final three months before the building was commissioned in October 2018.

The project encompassed oil and coolant storage tanks, pumps, a piped distribution network, metering, and waste oil and waste coolant handling equipment and storage. Water, air lines, and hose reels, along with power cable reels, were also included.

Jason says the quality of the pipework tells its own story, and that everyone was pleased with the final result.

“The pipework in the workshop, the layout, and the overall end result are right up to the standard of everything in the workshop and properly reflect the quality of the brand they are representing.”

For more information on fluid system design, equipment, and installation, contact AFC on 0800 538 058 or see advancefluidcontrol.co.nz.

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

Tim September 2020

Jim October 2020

Graco Pulse Pro® November 2020

Graco Pulse Pro® December 2020

Graco Pulse Pro® January 2021

YOUR NEW

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH… OR PERHAPS

THE YEAR? IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO IMPROVE YOUR WORKSHOP PRODUCTIVITY WITHOUT ADDING ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER TO YOUR TEAM, ITS TIME YOU GAVE AFC A CALL. Introducing the innovative Graco Pulse Pro®. The Graco Pulse Pro® system is like having an employee of the month in your team, every month. Its been designed to help your workshop increase productivity and create instant accountability by giving you unparalleled control with real time tracking and management of all your workshop lubes.

Graco Pulse Pro® Dispensing Meter Gun

Graco Pulse Pro® Hub

Graco Pulse Pro® Extender (optional)

Graco Pulse Pro® Pump Air Control (optional)

www.advancefluidcontrol.co.nz/graco-pulse-pro

Graco Pulse Pro® Tank Level Monitor (optional)

Euro parts to suit Euro cars AFTERMARKET FOCUS: HELLA PAGID BRAKE SYSTEMS AND AIR CONDITIONING FOR EUROS oday’s European vehicles come with an array of safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and stability control. An integral part of these safety systems is the braking performance. Unique brake friction materials are formulated specifically to each vehicle’s requirements, to give the right proportions of braking force, temperature stability, and pedal feel. Fitting OE brake pads and discs such as Hella Pagid, will ensure that these critical safety features and overall braking performance are exactly as the manufacturer intended.

Hella Pagid brake systems are the result of a joint venture between German automotive giants Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. GmbH and TMD Friction, the world’s largest manufacturer of original equipment brake friction and the name behind the Pagid brand.

Pagid’s reputation has been built up over 60 years and Pagid friction materials are still used on many current models, including performance cars such as the Porsche 911, SUVs such as the Audi Q7 and

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

Porsche Cayenne, and city cars and utility vehicles including Volkswagen’s Golf and Amarok models.

Using the same low-metal friction materials specified by European vehicle manufacturers, its comprehensive range of brake pads — which covers most European vehicles — is engineered alongside the OE parts and finished to the same high standards, ensuring that they provide the same performance, long life, and feel as the original part.

Matching its brake pads, Hella Pagid’s brake systems offer brake discs, supplied with its Geomet corrosion protection coating. It also supplies uncoated discs for older vehicles and price-conscious customers; high-carbon discs for premium and high-performance vehicles, and twopiece composite discs for some BMW applications.

The range also includes brake shoes and brake drums, as well as replacement wear indicators, ABS sensors, and accessory kits.

On the air-conditioning front, Mahle has strengthened its thermal-management programme

following its recent acquisition of Behr Hella Service.

The Mahle thermal-management range now offers more than 3600 premium-quality engine cooling and air-conditioning components, with a particular focus on European brands.

Mahle has supplied original equipment to the global automotive industry for more than 100 years. Mahle parts can be found in every second road vehicle — a claim that few other manufacturers can make. Its Premium Line products draw on this vast original equipment expertise. Naturally, they are manufactured to exact OE specifications to deliver the same performance, reliability, and long operational life as the original part.

The Hella Pagid brake systems and Mahle thermal-management brands are available from All Euro Parts. For more information visit brakeguide.com. To order call All Euro Parts on 0800 255 387 (0800 ALLEURO), email parts@alleuroparts.co.nz, or visit alleuroparts.co.nz.

For lifts, go Korean — Auto Master says go Powerrex POWERREX LIFTS OFFER FEATURE-RICH, DEPENDABLE QUALITY TWO- AND FOUR-POST HOISTS, PLUS SCISSOR LIFTS ome nations get a name for specific products and one of things that Korea is known for is high-quality, good-value hoists. Korea was one of the ‘tiger economies’ that quickly developed a very strong home heavy-engineering manufacturing base supporting a rapidly expanding vehicle fleet. Strong competition in both home and overseas markets led to a keen focus on quality. As well as having the necessary scale, Korea was rich in engineering skills, manufacturing capability, and the drive to manage processes in-house where possible.

Auto Master’s Gary Cotterell has supplied and supported Powerrex lifts in New Zealand for more than five years. While Auto Master also represents and markets other brands, Powerrex lifts represent the highest quality and offer the best features. Gary says that Powerrex Korea has total control of the

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manufacture of the structural parts of its lifts in its Korean plant. “This is key to their ability to achieve dependable quality products,� he says. “They completely control all aspects of production, from the steel to the powder coating, ensuring top-quality lifts are consistently delivered to their dealers.�

Gary says that Powerrex’s quality processes meet European standards and they are tested and certified to Australian and New Zealand electrical and safety standards. The 11 lifts in the Powerrex range include full-rise double-scissor lifters and two-post clear floor hoists with ultralow arm design, with either two-button control and mechanical locks or four-button control with electronic locks including direct down and remote control. They also have a 1m height extension as an option. They can be supplied with screw-up or ratchet-up feet and in custom colours. The twopost lifts are now rated to 4.5 tonnes and the highspeed Korean three-phase motors deliver fast raise and lower times.

Four-posters are available in 4.5 or 6.0 tonnes, with both standard or wheel-alignment models carried in stock and either both red and blue standard colour choices normally available. “The SL-5600A 4.5-tonne wheel-alignment scissor lifter is a very popular choice for those wanting to save space,� Gary explains.

Both the four-posters and alignment scissor lifters are supplied standard with two centre jacking beams that are operated electrically by the buttons on the jacks or from the remote control. There is no

need to run air lines to the jacks.

Auto Master carries a full inventory of parts and accessories for its entire range of Powerrex lifts.

For more information, see automaster.co.nz, email info@automaster.co.nz, or call 0800 214 604.

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New 4WD clutch range NOT ALL CLUTCHES ARE CREATED EQUAL. 4TERRAIN HEAVY-DUTY CLUTCHES DO WHAT THEY SAY ON THE TIN anual transmission vehicles come out of the factory fitted with standard clutches, but not everyone is a standard driver driving on standard roads. If an engine is modified, or if the vehicle is operated under higher loads than normal, as encountered in four-wheel driving or towing heavy loads, it should have an upgraded clutch.

Repco stocks a wide range of clutch upgrade brands, and it has just added the 4Terrain Heavy-Duty clutch system for this popular market segment. 4Terrain Heavy-Duty clutches might be new in the New Zealand market, but they are made by Clutch Industries, which has over 68 years’ experience designing and engineering clutch systems for Australian conditions. They are designed specifically for towing, trade/commercial use, or off-road driving.

4Terrain (4T) Heavy Duty delivers an increase in torque capacity while also increasing the life of the clutch through improving the following components.

4T Heavy-Duty cover assemblies feature an increased clamp load, typically 20-per-cent greater

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than OE specification. Further torque capacity gains come from the patented spheroidal graphite iron (SG Iron) grooved pressure plate. This groove increases the mean effective radius of the pressure plate, which increases the surface area of the clutch while also assisting in heat removal.

The 4T Heavy-Duty clutch disc features a 25-per-cent thicker friction material for longer life, backed up by a three-year or 50,000km warranty, which Repco says is the best warranty in the market.

A 4Terrain Heavy-Duty clutch kit comes

complete with release bearing, spigot bearing, and clutch-aligning tool. 4T Heavy Duty also offers a range of replacement flywheel kits, which avoids the hassle and delay involved in sending flywheels off to be machined.

The 4Terrain Heavy-Duty Clutch system is built to endure the rugged demands of hard-working vehicles and is a logical choice for anyone needing to replace a worn-out clutch in heavy use, or for operators demanding strength and reliability.

For more information, see repco.co.nz.

Century Yuasa — Australasia’s big name in batteries AUSTRALASIA’S OLDEST BATTERY MANUFACTURER AIMS TO OFFER THE MOST COMPLETE POWER SOLUTION entury Yuasa is an affiliate of GS Yuasa Corporation, one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers and a leader in quality and innovations. Since 1928, it has been developing the technical know-how and engineering expertise to provide quality stored energy solutions for Australian and New Zealand conditions.

The company provides a full spectrum of products and services, with one of the widest

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

selections of products available in the New Zealand market, backed by some of the battery industry’s most advanced technical and R&D resources.

Every battery in the Century range has been developed using advanced engineering processes to deliver superior performance and longer life. This R&D has proved critical as modern vehicles’ electrical systems place greater demands on batteries.

The comprehensive product list is matched by an extensive nationwide network of sales and service representatives, supported by a dedicated battery hotline facility. A fleet of 45 service vehicles provide a complete service solution from battery delivery, stock rotation and servicing, training, merchandising support and technical advice.

The Century Batteries website includes an industry-leading interactive battery finder which finds the right batteries for all car, bus, truck, commercial, heavy equipment; motorcycle, power sports and marine applications.

Century Yuasa also supports environmental sustainability and its national battery recycling programme provides customer credit for used batteries.

The company has partnered with the Million Meters Streams project to restore the health of New Zealand waterways. Every battery recycled contributes to the planting of native trees along the banks of New Zealand’s waterways that reduce toxic runoff and sediment washing into the water.

For more details on Century Yuasa’s extensive range of products or to become a stockist, contact a Century Yuasa representative on 0800 93 93 93 or visit centurybatteries.co.nz.

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Hulk Professional battery chargers beef up CoolDrive COOLDRIVE AUTO PARTS IS BRINGING HULK PROFESSIONAL SERIES BATTERY CHARGERS TO THE NEW ZEALAND MARKET nown for their robust and reliable performance, these six battery chargers feature XB2 smart processors which automatically diagnose, recover, charge, and maintain most types of vehicle batteries. This state-of-the-art technology manages the restoration of batteries to a fully charged state. It can also recover slightly sulphated batteries.

Hulk Professional Series chargers come in a broad range of outputs and capabilities, from a one-amp trickle charger with a five-stage charge programme through to a 25-amp unit with nine stages. A four-bank model is also offered for connecting four batteries at once.

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All chargers provide maintenance charging, which means they can be left permanently connected, cycling the battery to maintain optimum performance. The higher-power units also feature a power supply mode for vehicle system testing.

The Hulk chargers are multistage, fully automatic, switch mode units featuring automatic detection that allows them to charge and maintain a range of lead acid batteries without manual switching. They can handle wet-flooded and enhanced flooded batteries (EFB) for stop/start systems, gel, absorbent glass mat (AGM), and calcium batteries. Selected models can also charge lithium rechargeable batteries.

The range consists of a one-amp 6/12V battery charger maintainer; 3.8-amp 12V versatile battery charger maintainer; 7.5-amp 12/24V all-purpose

Repco expands brake and clutch hydraulics range REPCO IS STOCKING KELPRO BRAKE AND CLUTCH HYDRAULIC COMPONENTS, EXPANDING ITS RANGE TO COVER MORE VEHICLES elpro is a new brand name in brake and clutch hydraulics, but Repco says the new range is sourced only from accredited factories that specialize in making automotive hydraulic cylinders. Repco says Kelpro has met their exacting standards which ensure the quality of every part in the Kelpro hydraulic range.

Repco’s Jamie Engel says brake and clutch hydraulics are obviously vital vehicle components, and they are no place to

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

battery charger; 15-amp 12/24V powerful battery charger; 25-amp 12/24V workshop battery charger; and a 16-amp 12V four-in-one battery charger maintainer. The 7.5-amp to 25-amp units feature the power-supply mode.

The Hulk Professional Series chargers come with spark-proof technology, protection against overheating, and with no risk of overcharging. The range is supplied with a two-year warranty.

Clamps and connectors to suit the Hulk Professional Series range are available from CoolDrive. They can be purchased on an optional branded merchandiser display stand, perfect for resellers and workshops.

For more information and specifications on the new Hulk Professional Series battery chargers, see www.cooldrive.co.nz.

cut corners, but Repco has the ability to achieve both quality and good value.

“We are focused on supplying quality and ensuring we have the range needed to service New Zealand’s expanding vehicle fleet,” he says.

“The initial range, which is rolling out now, consists of brake master, clutch master, clutch slave, and wheel cylinders to suit popular applications.”

He says the transition to Kelpro will extend Repco’s offering beyond the reach of the existing Silverline range.

Kelpro’s cylinders are made from qualitycontrolled cast iron, or low-weight aluminium, where suitable. The cylinders undergo continuous safety and leak testing. The finish on cylinder surfaces is machined to minimize cup abrasion, helping maintain long-term reliability. They are manufactured to tight tolerance specifications to ensure fitment and freedom from leaks.

Pressure and dust-protection sleeves made from EPDM rubber (where applicable) ensure optimal functioning and leak-tightness and prevent the ingress of dirt, air, and moisture.

Popular vehicle fitments include brake master cylinders for Landcruiser FJ60-75, HU60-75 four-litre, and Patrol GQ 2.8l-4.2l; slave cylinders for Hilux KuN16R-26R three-litre and LN106R1272R 2.8l-3.0l, clutch master cylinders for Ford Couriers and Land Rover Defenders, and wheel cylinders for a wide range of passenger cars and 4WDs. See Repco for all your brake and clutch hydraulics needs.

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Holden pays TribUTE HOLDEN DEMONSTRATES ITS COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMERS BY GIVING OWNERS THE CHANCE TO WIN A CHEV-POWERED ‘TRIBUTE’ UTE JUST FOR BUYING GENUINE HOLDEN AND ACDELCO PARTS lmost 70 years ago, an Australian icon was born. The Aussies would say it was naturally good looking, rugged, versatile, and durable.

It was certainly a workhorse that evolved into a thoroughbred. It became a symbol of the Australian — and Kiwi — way of life. It was, of course, the Holden ute.

In 1951, the first-ever Holden ute rolled off the production line, starting a lineage that ingrained itself in our culture. From the FJ Holden ute to the final

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VFII, the ute evolved over 70 years yet remained true to its origins.

To celebrate this anniversary and the contribution that the Holden ute has made to creating the lifestyle we enjoy today, and to highlight Holden’s ongoing commitment to its 1.6 million vehicle owners, Holden is creating the TribUTE. TribUTE is a re-imagined and re-defined VE Series 2 SSV Redline ute, powered with a Chevrolet Performance 6.2-litre, 525hp (391kW) LS3 V8 and

backed by a T-56 Super Magnum heavy-duty sixspeed manual.

On the underside it has GM Level 3 track-capable spec FE3 suspension, while upgraded front and rear cross-drilled Brembo brakes behind staggered 20inch wheels will ensure that it stops and turns just as well as it goes.

A Holden-certified service outlet and GM-certified collision repairer are building the car with Holden Genuine and ACDelco parts to create something truly unique.

The best part about TribUTE is that Holden is giving it away. The winner of TribUTE will receive the keys to the vehicle at a private handover event attended by Supercars legend Craig Lowndes. To enter, have your Holden serviced at a Holdencertified service outlet or purchase ACDelco oil through the GM Trade Parts programme. Terms and conditions apply. See acdelco.com.au/offers.

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Eroad Clarity Dashcam for commercial vehicles EROAD’S CLARITY DASHCAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP IMPROVE SAFETY, ENABLING DRIVER COACHING AND PREVENTION, AND PROVIDE A RECORD OF INCIDENTS road has launched its Clarity Dashcam for commercial vehicle fleets.

Eroad CEO Steven Newman says truck drivers have it tough out on the roads. They drive long distances so they are more likely than most to encounter unpredictable incidents. Two-thirds of fatal accidents involving trucks are actually caused by other motorists. ”We are proud to be continuing the journey to safer roads with the launch of the Eroad Clarity Dashcam,” says Steven. “We look forward to seeing the next set of results that our customers achieve in reducing crash harm on our roads, and the savings they make in reducing their insurance premiums from demonstrating their vehicle safety.”

Eroad has seen a consistent reduction in overspeed events — which are a contributing factor in accidents — in the fleets that have adopted its technology. Its driver-facing device, the Ehubo, helps to coach drivers by indicating overspeeding, harsh cornering, or accelerating as well as reminding them to have a rest when they have been on the road for a while. Over the past five years, Eroad customers have reduced their frequency of overspeed events by 56 per

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cent. Such a reduction means safer roads for all road users.

The Eroad Clarity Dashcam adds video footage into the coaching capability, and provides factual evidence of incidents when something has gone wrong. The dashcam footage has also been integrated with the Ehubo data into the MyEroad web platform. That means all the driver statistics, vehicle maintenance, and now, video footage, can be found in the same place at My Eroad Replay. This gives fleet managers richer data at their fingertips when saying, “That harsh braking you did saved a life, thank you”, “I can see that the car cut you off and braked erratically, causing the accident”, or “I’m sorry for the mistake that my driver made”.

Turning on the dual-facing Eroad Clarity Dashcam requires no action on the driver’s part. The camera is powered up by the truck ignition. Any harsh driving event — speeding, sudden braking or swerving, or an actual crash — will trigger a video to be sent to the MyEroad platform for review. The driver can also manually send a clip back by pressing a button on the dash, or the back office can request a clip up to 40 hours of driving later without contacting Eroad help.

Each automatically uploaded full-HD video clip is 20 seconds long, capturing the triggering moment plus 10 seconds before and after, both front and driver facing, or just front facing, depending on a company’s needs and policies. There is also the option to record audio, and a lens cap affords privacy to drivers.

Eroad (ERD) is listed on the NZX and ASX and employs 300 staff located in New Zealand, Australia, and North America.

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Bosch batteries land new distributor in New Zealand HCB TECHNOLOGIES BECOMES EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR FOR BOSCH BATTERIES obert Bosch (Australia) Pty has reached an agreement with HCB Technologies for HCB to distribute Bosch batteries in New Zealand.

HCB business manager Craig Fowler is pleased to see Bosch join the stable of quality HCB brands.

“Bosch has a pedigree of producing world-class products, which will sit well alongside the existing HCB battery offering.”

Bosch products and technology can be found in virtually every car produced throughout the world.

They are supplied by a global network of factories.

Craig says Bosch’s reputation for original equipment development and innovation gives its battery product range ready-made brand recognition in the competitive automotive aftermarket product range.

HCB Technologies is a wholesale battery distributor with branches throughout New Zealand, supplying automotive, commercial, marine, and deep-cycle batteries, backed up by expert technical support.

Bosch automotive aftermarket Australia and New Zealand sales manager, Geoff Upton, said Bosch needed a New Zealand market leader in batteries to provide workshops with easy access to Bosch batteries “together with exceptional customer service and fast deliveries”.

With 95 years of battery experience, Bosch offers a comprehensive line-up of maintenance-

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free batteries. Products include the SM Mega Power Plus range and the ST Hightec range of EFB and AGM batteries.

New Zealand Car of the Year finalists announced THE TOP 10 CARS VYING FOR NEW ZEALAND MOTORING WRITERS’ GUILD NEW ZEALAND CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED. nd in line with this nation’s fondness for SUVs and utes, eight of the 10 have some pretentions to off-road ability. Just two small hatchbacks, the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris, made it onto the list.

The other eight — all crossovers and SUVs — are the Audi Q3, Kia Seltos, Land Rover Defender, Mazda CX-30, Mercedes-Benz EQC, MercedesBenz GLB, Peugeot 2008, and Skoda Kamiq.

Guild president Richard Edwards says the award means that 2020’s rocky road could at least finish on a positive note.

“After many tumultuous months full of Covidrelated twists and turns, it will be a welcome relief to farewell what has been a challenging period with the announcement of the 33rd winner of this coveted trophy.”

It has been a tough year for the car industry, like many other industries, with retailers having to deal with supply restrictions as well as sales constraints.

New Zealand is more diverse than many markets

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and typically welcomes more than 50 new models in a year, but local market launches have been fewer this year.

Selecting a winner is a serious business for the voting journalists as they understand that, even in a

Bosch’s extensive research-and-development capability and knowledge of battery technologies has furnished its AGM range with up-to-the minute technologies. Bosch says it remains at the forefront of the development of battery products for modern vehicles, particularly for stop-start vehicles, which place significant additional cranking demands on car batteries.

Bosch automotive batteries are now available exclusively through the BNT network. Visit bntnz. co.nz to locate your nearest branch.

market this size, a car’s fortunes in the awards will influence the buying decisions being made here.

“New car buyers can rest assured that the winner is absolutely deserving of the title as it will have undergone extensive testing and excelled across a wide variety of measures, especially when compared with other finalists,” Edwards says.

“It takes a very special vehicle to be crowned the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild Car of the Year, an endorsement which represents a significant accomplishment for any new model.”

The 2020 winner will be revealed live on ‘Seven Sharp’ during the first week of December.

Automotive trade ready to invest WE DRILL DEEPER INTO AUTO CHANNEL’S SURVEY RESULTS n Auto Channel 29 — last month’s issue — we shared feedback from our readers on the survey we conducted after more than two years in the business.

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Better business prospects Conducted in September, when the country was still at lockdown level 2 and Auckland was in level 2.5, nearly 45 per cent of respondents were feeling positive about business prospects, which meant the automotive trade was feeling more positive than the rest of the country at the time. Unsurprisingly, at that time the biggest group — also around 40 per cent — was undecided. As the nation has moved back to level 1, returning New Zealand to what is much more like life as normal, it seems fair to suggest more of the undecided will have moved into positive territory than negative.

The shift in Covid alert level since then is also an important consideration for questions about purchasing. We are reporting the results from the September survey here but it is equally likely more automotive businesses will be considering investments or purchases now, moving out of

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the third of respondents who had not planned purchases when the survey was conducted. That most businesses were considering purchases even during difficult times is positive news. It shows confidence in the future and a commitment to improving service and quality.

Category purchases The biggest sector for investment (see lower graph, right), was for wheel and tyre equipment, mostly for tyre changers and some balancers but also brake-testing gear. It was encouraging to see businesses still considering larger equipment purchases like new vehicles, hoists, aligners, and spray booths. New scanners or diagnostic equipment featured prominently in the next biggest purchase category after tyre equipment and hoists, IT, and diagnostic.

The ‘other’ category covered a broad range of equipment, including beam setters, tube benders and notchers, and NDT equipment. General tools included jacks, hand tools, tyre tools, power tools, air tools, workshop lamps, battery chargers, toolboxes, racking, and storage and organization equipment.

Tax break for new purchases We have mentioned it previously but it is worth repeating that, thanks to a Covid tax break, for this financial year only businesses can deduct 100 per cent of the cost of new gear up to a $5000 limit.

It means the purchase of any equipment under $5000 can be fully depreciated in its first year.

Now that the election is out of the way we can also expect the government to put more focus on economic recovery. Prime Minister Ardern has said in interviews that it has already moved on tax breaks, as above, and she did not close off doing more in this area. It’s one to keep an eye out for.

The government has also moved to support industry through introducing a no fees scheme

for trade training. It wasn’t part of our survey but we would be keen to hear from businesses that have taken on or are looking to take on new apprentices. That’s another real commitment to the future. If this is you, please drop us a line at editor@classic car.co.nz.

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More tow-bar installers needed HAYMAN REESE IS LOOKING TO EXTEND ITS NETWORK OF TOW-BAR INSTALLERS ACROSS NEW ZEALAND he era of Covid might not be the ideal time to establish a new product line and a national network of outlets in the market, but Hayman Reese has counted the introduction of its new tow bars and towing products a success.

Hayman Reese New Zealand’s Darryl Maslin has ticked off almost all of the milestones in getting the product into the market, but there is one more thing to fill out.

“We have a baseline of installers set up, but we are still looking for a few more to complete nationwide coverage,” he says.

Darryl says the lockdowns and interruptions to supply lines have been challenging but, as they have affected everybody in the automotive aftermarket, he has been pleased with the new product lines’ sales.

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“Since lockdown, we have bounced back remarkably well considering the envisaged tough times ahead,” he says.

Hayman Reese New Zealand has launched its retail website, set up a manufacturing facility, and built the network of installers. Darryl says the updated version of the snatch-rated X-Bar, which features towing points at each end of the bar, as well as at the central hitch, is appealing to owners of the most popular ute brands.

“Sales remain strong and we are experiencing good growth with Capricorn members,” says Darryl.

Meanwhile, the brand, which was founded in Australia, is working on expanding the range, adding tow-bar fitments for MG’s new ZS and HS SUVs, the Haval H6, the new Suzuki Jimny, and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.

Darryl says Hayman Reese has been manufacturing towing equipment for nearly 70 years. It is ISO9001 and QS9000 accredited, and its testing facility is accredited as a NATA laboratory to AS ISO/IEC 17025. He says the New Zealand manufacturing plant is accredited to ISO TS16949, and was set up to produce volume-selling products locally.

Covid inevitably caused some supply issues, but Darryl says the company has caught up.

“We have experienced some small delays with product, either from our own facility or from Australia,” he says. “Actually, for New Zealand– manufactured products, the main issue was due to

exceptional orders being placed, which was a good problem to have. From Australia, we have worked through a number of issues including getting bookings onto vessels for shipments of containers, due to the reduction in vessels in the area and the Australian wharf strike.”

As sourcing from Australia and New Zealand is likely to be less problematic than from other nations, Darryl is confident of keeping the additional installers he is looking for busy in the months ahead.

For more information on the X-Bar, see www.xbar.co.nz. If you are looking for a quality tow-bar supplier, or want to discuss installing Hayman Reese products, contact Hayman Reese directly on 0800 MY T BAR (0800 698 227), or email info@ haymanreese.co.nz.

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Photo estimates — the good, the bad, and the ugly PHOTO ESTIMATES: LOVE ’EM OR HATE ’EM, WORKSHOPS MUST ADAPT AND PROFIT FROM THEM hile insurance companies have been giving customers the option to use photo estimates for claim handling for some time, body shops have traditionally been wary of them. Body shop technician Sean Guthrie considers bringing them into the fold.

When a customer visits a shop in person, they have taken the first step in the process of getting their vehicle fixed. If we take the time to go somewhere and commit 30 minutes or more to do something, we are more likely to commit and see the thing through. It’s the value of time, and when time is spent a transaction has already occurred.

People begin to feel some responsibility to spend their money with someone who has committed a chunk of time to them as a customer. Because of the time transaction and feelings of commitment, it is fairly easy to have a good capture rate with customers who come through the door.

Photo estimates are different. With photo estimates, no real time has been spent, no real commitment has been made, and no face-to-face interaction has occurred. With photo estimates, it is increasingly easy to have more competition involved simply by having multiple companies writing estimates from the same photos. Like it or

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not, selling photo-estimate jobs is a true challenge!

Photo estimates require a new approach to selling. In some ways, the increased competition gives a better opportunity to beat other contenders. When a customer submits a photo estimate, their only expectation is to receive an email or a text back with a completed estimate, so that leaves the field wide open to exceeding their expectations. Simply showing care and concern for the customer’s health after an accident, the safety of their vehicle, and the value of the vehicle as an expensive asset, could make you stand out from competitors. It is not much different than when the customer is in the lobby, but a bit more typing is required.

A phone call or a personalized message in the email or text response is crucial. Quite often, customers will request email or text response only and desire no phone-call interaction. This saves them time, reduces the personal connection, and makes it easier to say no. If that is the case, a personalized written message is the only way to have a connection as one human to another. Look for signs of a child by looking for a car seat, school sticker, family figure stickers, etc., in the photos.

It might sound cynical, but these items provide

a reason to enquire about the well-being of the child, and you will get points for being observant.

Sending information about car seat inspection or replacement would also be something unexpected but shows care and consideration for the safety of the customer’s family.

Discussing potential hidden damage that could drastically affect a second collision is another avenue to explore. Electronic safety-system operation should also be discussed if the car is new enough or has signs of advanced driver-assistance features.

Explain how the impact to the wheel could cause an alignment issue, which will affect the ADAS system and could be very dangerous. It is not about scaring them into having their car fixed but educating them that it is only sensible to have it fixed.

The other difference can be a service that offers pick-up and delivery. After completing the estimate, the shop can send a personalized note outlining how they offer a pick-up and delivery service as part of their repair process. In the Covid-19 world, this can be done contactless. It can even include the involvement of the rental company to allow the customer not to have to leave their home.

Rental car companies will work with workshops to drop a loan vehicle to the customer and get a ride back to their office. You could even ask them to pick up someone from your workshop to drive the customer’s car back in one quick trip. How many other shops will go to those lengths to take care of the customer?

Still don’t think they are beneficial to our industry? Too much work for a 50 per cent capture rate? I would urge you to reconsider.

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Photo estimates have the potential to attract new customers who would not otherwise have stopped in for an estimate. A 50 per cent capture rate on jobs that otherwise would not have come to your shop is 100 per cent better than no job.

An additional benefit to photo estimates is they can relieve some pressure on the front-office staff by reducing the number of non-committed price shoppers who come through the lobby doors.

This still allows for an increase in the number of potential customers while decreasing the number of in-person estimates. Using and promoting photo estimates properly can reduce the workload on the staff by allowing them to decide when the estimate is processed rather than being forced to do it when the customer walks in the front door.

Giving the customer the opportunity to avoid fitting in an estimate before work, after work, or at lunch reduces customer volume during times of highest traffic. This means that service advisors can focus more attention on the one customer who has turned up instead of three who would have otherwise been there. Once they have gone, staff can turn their attention to the pending photo estimates and spend time writing a good estimate, making a phone call, or writing a thoughtful message to a potential customer. This allows every customer to receive a level of service they might not have received otherwise.

Customer service is absolutely critical to the long-term success of a collision-repair business. A huge part of good service scores revolves around efficiency and speed. There is also a reason why multiple OEMs are now offering a discounted or

free relationship with photo-estimating programs.

OEMs are spending massive amounts of money to figure out how to protect their brand. Using certified repairers after an accident is helping. They see the benefit and are trying to further optimize the integration. If they see the benefit in photo estimates, then body shop owners should, too!

Writing the estimate is the only downside to the process. Customers do not know what they should be taking photos of, and that means it can be very difficult to see what needs to be seen to write an accurate estimate. Do not expect 100 per cent accuracy. The key is to figure out whether the main parts are repairable or must be replaced.

Order the big stuff, the parts that absolutely must be present before the repairs can begin; the small stuff can be processed quickly once the car arrives and is dismantled. Utilizing experience to make assumptions can be risky, but also immensely

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beneficial if done correctly. As a last resort, contacting the customer for additional photos may be worthwhile to have an estimate that is not a complete waste of time.

The workshop’s focus must be on capturing the job, though, not the right picture. That means the estimate is only a small piece of the puzzle. At the end of the day, the customer does not really want an estimate; they want their car fixed properly at a reasonable price. Your main job is to convince them that your place is the best place to get that done!

You might think it is double the work to write an estimate using photos, only to do a proper estimate when the car is dropped off and torn down. I won’t disagree, but shops routinely reassess insurance estimates and chalk it up to part of the business. This is no different. Capture the job, and make money fixing a car you may not have seen otherwise!

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Craig Lowndes in the Red Bull Holden Racing Team workshop shows off the GM Trade Parts signage on the 2020 ZB Commodore supercar

Holden launches GM Trade Parts AN AUTOMOTIVE TRADE-ONLY PROGRAMME FOR HOLDEN GENUINE, ACDELCO, AND CHEVROLET GENUINE SERVICE PARTS olden has launched GM Trade Parts — an automotive trade-only programme that brings competitively priced Holden Genuine Parts, ACDelco parts, and recent Chevrolet Genuine Service Parts to the trade through its Holden dealer network across New Zealand.

Holden New Zealand’s general manager aftersales Stephen Matthews says GM Trade Parts takes the reins from the long-running Holden Trade Club programme, with the rebranding bringing a suite of new products and benefits for its 3600 members in New Zealand and 24,400 in Australia.

Stephen says since its beginnings the Trade Club focused simply on offering the best price, whereas many loyalty programmes had complex rewards structures, which meant that workshops had to work quite hard to get the best out of them.

“We looked at it from the point of view of a workshop manager and we thought the priority would be on getting the job done and making a margin,” says Stephen. “If we could assure workshops they were getting genuine Holden, GM, ACDelco, or Chevrolet parts, at the best prices, that would work for most workshops most of the time. If the parts buyers knew they were getting a good deal they could go ahead and buy with confidence without having to shop around and compare.

“We struck a chord with that strategy as we far exceeded our initial targets for membership,” he adds.

After eight years, the GM Trade Parts programme has built a strong following and established its reputation for value. Stephen says that means it can now branch out and offer other products and services that bring additional value to members. These include an exclusive member

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website, an electronic VIN-specific catalogue, and access to Holden Genuine, ACDelco, and Chevrolet service parts.

Stephen says that Holden will remain a strong presence on New Zealand roads for years to come,

With over 1.6 million Holdens still on the road, there’s huge demand for Holden Genuine Parts Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup

and servicing that fleet and preserving the value in customers’ cars is now Holden’s top priority.

These additional features have been introduced to offer a more complete service and strengthen the relationship between GM Holden and dealers and workshops in the service network.

“With over 1.6 million Holdens still on the road, there’s huge demand for Holden Genuine Parts in automotive workshops today,” he says.

“Holden has made a commitment to its customers to continue supplying Holden parts for at least the next decade. The launch of GM Trade Parts reinforces this assurance to the automotive repair trade in both Australia and New Zealand.”

GM’s new-car presence in New Zealand and Australia will continue through GM Speciality Vehicles, formerly Holden Special Vehicles, responsible for converting Camaro ZL1 and the Silverado 1500 and 2500 vehicles to right-hand drive in Australia and sales of the C8 Corvette direct from the US. On the parts front, ACDelco continues to expand most of its makes and models product range — from the oil in the engine to the bulbs in the tail lights, the ACDelco product range is diverse and ever growing. It supplies parts for a broad number of vehicle brands in the New Zealand car parc, not just Holdens.

Stephen says it’s free to join GM Trade Parts for anyone in the automotive trade. See gmtradeparts.com.au for more information on the programme, or call your local Holden parts department to discuss the expanded GM Trade Parts programme in person.

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Car news

Nawa launches ‘the fastest electrode in the world’ TOUTED AS A BREAKTHROUGH BATTERY TECHNOLOGY, NAWA TECHNOLOGIES SAYS ITS NEW PATENTED VERTICALLY ALIGNED CARBON NANOTUBE (VACNT) ELECTRODE DESIGN WILL BRING REVOLUTIONARY IMPROVEMENTS IN POWER, ENERGY, LIFECYCLE, AND CHARGING TIME urrently one of the major limitations of battery power, energy, and lifecycle is the design and material used for the electrode, according to Nawa. Based on powders, existing electrodes have low electrical, thermal, and ionic conductivity, along with poor mechanical behaviour when discharged and recharged, and can also suffer from early delamination and degradation leading to safety and lifecycle issues.

But Nawa’s Ultra Fast Carbon Electrode combines the highest ionic conductivity – thanks to a 3D fully accessible nanostructure – with the highest electrical and thermal conductivity, provided by its arrangement of 100 billion nanotubes per square centimetre, all vertically aligned.

Nawa says that this new electrode geometry can solve the vast majority of performance constraints faced by global battery makers, boosting battery power by a factor of 10, energy storage by up to three, lifecycle by up to five, and reduce charging time down to minutes instead of hours. What’s more, with the electrodes accounting for almost 25 per cent of the total battery cost and today’s global lithium-ion battery market worth in excess of NZ$53 billion, Nawa believes that its new design can offer significant cost savings.

Nawa’s Ultra Fast Carbon Electrode is a universal system, and it will be ready for market in as little as 12 months. It will also be available as a primer for existing electrodes, increasing their electrical conduction. Its new manufacturing process also promises to reduce the electrode cost on a $/Wh basis by 30 per cent, and it is easily recyclable and eco-disposable at the end of a long lifecycle.

Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

FLEET BUYERS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A KEY ENABLER FOR GETTING MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES INTO THE NATION’S VEHICLE FLEET s they are used more consistently than other vehicles, they displace internalcombustion engines, and as fleet vehicles are renewed more often than privately owned vehicles, they also make more vehicles available to second-hand buyers, overcoming the higher initial purchase price which is also a barrier to some buyers.

In what could be a model for fleet buyers here, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), expects it will be responsible for 75 per cent of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on UK roads by 2025.

It has launched a Plug in Pledge, which shows the rental, leasing, and fleet operator sector owning and operating around 900,000 BEVs within five years.

The pledge sees the sector registering 400,000 BEVs per year by 2025, making it responsible for 80 per cent of new battery electric car and van sales. If plug-in hybrids are included it could include 570,000 annual plugin registrations, making a combined fleet of over 1.3 million plug-in cars and vans by 2025.

UK transport secretary Grant Shapps says: “It’s fantastic that so many BVRLA members are making commitments to introduce zeroemission fleets ahead of the government’s phase-out target. BVRLA members are fundamental to the transition to cleaner road transport.”

The BVRLA reports progress on 2019 and says the electric vehicle market is approaching parity with that for petrol and diesel vehicles in some respects.

“The transition to zero emissions is accelerating and our latest pledge demonstrates that the fleet sector has its foot on the pedal,” says BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney.

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EVs could draw on more power to go further, or faster, making 1000km ranges commonplace in a mass market EV Nawa estimates that using an Ultra Fast Carbon Electrode in a lithium battery cell could reduce its CO2 footprint as much as 60 per cent, because less active material is required.

Applied to an electric vehicle (EV), an advanced lithium-ion battery with an Ultra Fast Carbon Electrode could double the kWh stored, meaning EVs could draw on more power to go further, or faster, making 1000km ranges commonplace in a mass market EV. Charging time could be reduced to as little as five minutes for an 80 per cent charge, while battery lifecycle could be improved by a factor of up to five.

Nawa’s founder, chairman, chief technical and operations officer Pascal Boulanger says: “Since the beginning of the battery industry, most performance increases have come from materials but it has reached a plateau today. Combine abundant carbon with nanoscale electrode architecture advances and you have a game-changer.”

Nawa CEO Ulrik Grape says: “Nawa’s Ultra Fast Carbon Electrode will allow us to charge batteries faster, go further and for longer – and all with a product based on one of the world’s most abundant and green materials: carbon. Our technology can help to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of battery systems, so much so that we believe this electrode innovation could halve the time in which an electric vehicle pays back the CO2 created in its manufacture.”

Nawa Technologies is based in Aix-en-Provence, France.

NCAP now testing ‘highway assist’ EURO NCAP HAS DEVELOPED A DEDICATED TEST AND ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL, AND A GRADING SYSTEM, FOR COMBINED LANE- AND CRUISECONTROL TECHNOLOGIES t has tested 10 cars that offer ‘highway assist’: the Audi Q8, the BMW 3 Series, the Ford Kuga, the Mercedes GLE, the Nissan Juke, the Peugeot 2008, the Renault Clio, the Tesla Model 3, the Volkswagen Passat, and the Volvo V60.

Highway Assist helps the driver to maintain a steady speed, to keep a safe distance from the car in front and to keep the vehicle in the centre of the

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lane by combining cruise control with lane centring.

Euro NCAP’s new assessment protocols focus on two main areas: assistance competence — a balance between the technical competencies of the system and the extent to which it keeps the driver alert and engaged — and safety backup; the car’s safety net in critical situations. A grading system — Entry, Moderate, Good, and Very Good — helps consumers compare assistance performance.

In the test, the Mercedes-Benz GLE, the BMW 3 Series and the Audi Q8 were graded Very Good, achieving a good balance between a high level of driving assistance while keeping the driver engaged and in control. They also provided a good crash-avoidance backup system, and responded appropriately if the driver becomes incapacitated while the car is in assistance mode.

The Renault Clio and Peugeot 2008 were both rated Entry grade. They provided a relatively modest level of assistance, ensuring that the driver is not disengaged from the driving task.

Tesla achieved top scores for vehicle assistance and safety backup but its Autopilot system did little to keep the driver engaged. Its steering strategy

Designers love ’em but will drivers?

KUMHO’S NEXT-GENERATION E-NIMF AND E-TOPS TYRES HAVE BEEN HONOURED WITH 2020 INTERNATIONAL DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS (IDEA) aving already received iF and Red Dot accolades in February and March, respectively, Kumho has won all three of the world’s top design awards in the same year.

The e-NIMF (eco-friendly, no-inflation, and maintenance-free) is an airless concept tyre. It offers excellent driving stability and can almost indefinitely be rejuvenated with replacement treads. Extensive tests and simulations showed e-NIMF’s levels of durability, noise, vibrations and rolling resistance were very similar to those of modern pneumatic tyres.

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The e-TOPS is a hybrid product that combines pneumatic and airless tyre technologies. Its airless outer structure of spokes and tread protect the inner air cell. This mutually complementary composition results in an equivalent performance to conventional products while avoiding the typical air-loss issues associated with them.

Organised by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the 40-year old IDEA Awards scheme is considered the Oscars of the design world.

gives the impression that either the car is driving itself or the driver has full control, and the system is more authoritarian than cooperative. Badly let down by its performance in driver engagement it scored a Moderate.

The Volkswagen Passat, the Nissan Juke, and the Volvo V60 were also graded Moderate.

The Volvo, with a system already a few years old, showed the rapid pace of advancements.

The Kuga, sold here as the Escape, achieved a Good grading, demonstrating that wellbalanced, advanced systems are also available on mainstream mid-class vehicles.

Covid driving Gen-Zers into cars GEN-Z, THE LEAST CAR-CRAZED GENERATION SO FAR, IS MAKING A U-TURN ON DRIVING, IN LIGHT OF ONGOING RESTRICTIONS IN THE UK uto Trader, the UK’s largest digital marketplace for new and used cars, has found a sharp yearon-year increase of 18–24 year olds looking for cars.

During 1 June–20 September, 15 per cent of the platform’s audience were aged 18–24 compared with just six per cent in the same period last year.

Over a quarter (27 per cent) of Auto Trader’s current audience are aged 25–34 years old.

Over the past few years, Gen-Z had put off driving until their late 20s but now, apparently, many are deciding to avoid public transport.

This trend is mirrored in the number of people now wanting to learn how to drive.

RED, the largest driving school in the UK, has reported a surge in demand for driving lessons.

New learner activity on its website is over 100 per cent higher than the same time last year.

Demand for smaller cars is also increasing.

The price of hatchbacks on Auto Trader recorded has increased 11.5 per cent for the same period last year.

Auto Trader’s Rory Reid says after some stagnation in the market it’s now a great time to buy a car in the UK, as there’s an enormous range of makes/models available, including electric cars and hybrids, which can be important too for Gen-Zers.

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Car news

Hyundai pushes hydrogen heavy transport AFTER A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH IN EUROPE, HYUNDAI NOW PLANS TO OFFER XCIENT FUEL CELL HEAVY-DUTY COMMERCIAL TRUCKS IN NORTH AMERICA AND CHINA he first seven of 50 Xcient Fuel Cell heavyduty trucks have been delivered to customers in Switzerland, emitting only water.

“The delivery of Xcient Fuel Cell starts a new chapter not only for Hyundai’s hydrogen push, but also the global community’s use of hydrogen as a clean energy source,” said In Cheol Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor. Production capacity of the Xcient Fuel Cell will reach 2000 units per year by 2021 to support its expansion into Europe, the US and China as demand for clean mobility grows. The increase in capacity will be backed by a NZ$2 billion investment in addition to a previously announced NZ$9.6 billion stake in establishing a hydrogen ecosystem to support creation of a hydrogen society.

In the US, Hyundai is collaborating with logistics leaders to supply mass-produced fuel cell heavy-duty trucks. Hyundai revealed the fuel cell-powered HDC-6 Neptune Concept Class 8 heavy-duty truck at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in October 2019.

Hyundai is partnering with companies to build a complete hydrogen value chain covering everything from hydrogen production and charging stations to service and maintenance.

The North American market will also get a 6x4 tractor model. By 2030, Hyundai expects more than 12,000 fuel cell trucks to hit the US roads.

T New carmanagement app helps drivers avoid fines A NEW APP HAS BEEN LAUNCHED IN THE UK THAT COLLATES AND MANAGES ALL DRIVERS’ CAR NEEDS IN ONE PLACE rivers set up Caura using just a vehicle registration number, and can immediately take care of their parking, tolls, warrant of fitness, road tax, car insurance, and congestion charges. Caura minimises admin and mitigates penalty fines.

“The billions of pounds in penalty fees UK consumers incur from mistakes or late payments for parking, congestion charges, road tax, tolls, MOT and insurance are totally avoidable,” said Dr Sai Lakshmi, CEO and founder of Caura. “The incumbent system — fragmented, confusing and outdated — is not only costly but a massive source of anxiety. By eliminating the need for dozens of apps and services, we are removing hassle, confusion and unnecessary expenses of car ownership.”

From the home screen, users can also pay for selected parking, toll roads and congestion charges.

The app integrates with payment technologies like Apple Pay or safely stores a driver’s payment details, which can be used to pay in just two clicks.

In-app notifications remind drivers when it’s time to pay for car-related services. These notifications are designed to reduce the millions of automated fines or PCNs (penalty charge notices) issued to Britons each year.

Currently, 25 per cent of UK MOTs are conducted late, meaning at any time eight million cars on the road have potentially dangerous defects such as bald tyres, worn brakes or blown bulbs.

By serving push notifications to remind drivers to get their MOT renewed on time, the company says Caura is supporting safer roads in the UK. Caura was founded by Dr Sai Lakshmi, who also founded Echo pharmacy, a platform that works with the NHS to help more than 250,000 Brits order repeat prescriptions.

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

One million hydrogen vehicles Hyundai also is working with various parties in China, which aims to get one million hydrogen vehicles on its roads by 2030 as the country’s hydrogen industry is on a sharp growth trend.

Three fuel cell electric trucks are scheduled for launch in China: a medium-duty truck in 2022, a heavy-duty truck in a couple of years, and another heavy-duty truck strategically designed for the China market. With these models, Hyundai’s goal is to achieve aggregate sales volume of 27,000 units by 2030.

The seven customers who received the first batch of Xcient Fuel Cell trucks will haul payloads of consumer goods around Switzerland, emitting nothing but clean water. To support the growing hydrogen ecosystem, Hyundai has a business case for more than 100 hydrogen fuelling stations in Switzerland, which is enough not only for commercial vehicles, but also passenger fuel cell electric vehicles. Likewise, Hyundai plans to act as a sector coupler in bringing various players to the hydrogen value chain as part of its efforts to bring value.

Xcient is powered by a 190kW hydrogen fuel cell system with dual 95kW fuel cell stacks. Seven large hydrogen tanks offer a combined storage capacity of around 32.09kg of hydrogen. The driving range per charge for Xcient Fuel Cell is about 400km. Hyundai Motor’s Hydrogen Mobility Solution won the Truck Innovation Award at the International Truck of the Year (IToY) last year.

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STARS ABOVE THE BUILD OF THIS 1967 FORD GALAXIE WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN COMPLETED WITHOUT A LITTLE BIT OF ASSISTANCE FROM ABOVE! WORDS AND PHOTOS: ROD DUNN

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

here is a good chance that if your father has petrol coursing through his veins, you will eventually end up with the petrolhead gene as well. Leigh Jackson of beautiful Cromwell, in sunny Central Otago, never really stood a chance of growing up without the love of automobiles at some stage of his life, as his father loved owning and racing cars. Unfortunately, Leigh lost his dad while he was a teen so missed out on learning a lot of the mechanical knowledge and skills required to piece together something special to take up residence in his garage. But having fond memories of those early years spent with his dad, Leigh has still inherited the true raw love of “horsepower and cars” as he puts it.

While standing and looking this Galaxie over, Leigh explains, “I wanted to build and finish a classic car, as I have this unshakeable feeling that it would have been something we would have done together if he had still been with us — hence why his personalized plate now graces the car.” Leigh went on to explain that the fastback is, in part, a tribute to him. Not being brand loyal when it comes to American iron, Leigh jumped at the opportunity to purchase this 1967 Ford Galaxie 500XL fastback when it appeared for sale. Already painted and sporting a customized black interior, Leigh was wanting that muscle car look, and yet didn’t want to make compromises on interior space, as would have been the case with your typical Mustang or Camaro. The Galaxie, with its early Nascar look and feel just fitted the bill nicely.

To pay tribute to his dad, Leigh started what he referred to as a “complete and unplanned build” of the car — something that he would not only be happy with, but something that he would be proud to fit his dad’s plates to. Once the Galaxie had arrived in Cromwell, a quick once-over revealed a

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

“I’m an OCD perfectionist with cars and so began the plan to sort it out” number of things that required attention and would have to be corrected to satisfy Leigh. Initially, it was noted that things like the grille and bumpers were in a beat-up shape and that panel gaps and alignment were also out, causing some panels to rub. More issues were revealed on the interior with the dash and instrument cluster being chipped, cracked, and scuffed. There was also sound-deadening material and wires hanging out which just didn’t sit well with Leigh. Overall, the Galaxie had seen better days and required a fair amount of work to put right. As Leigh put it, “I’m an OCD perfectionist with cars and so began the plan to sort it out.”

As with many builds, the more items that are found and rectified, the more things pop up that require attention. Starting with the mechanical side, the car was delivered to Garry at Garry’s Garage in Cromwell for a full check-up. “Garry is a pure expert with classics, especially American classics,” says Leigh. Looking over the engine, gearbox, drivetrain, and everything mechanical, exposed all of the Galaxie’s gremlins, of which there were many, and Garry spent months sourcing and fitting the correct parts and combinations to get the car back on the road. Not holding back, Garry was brutally honest with Leigh, explaining that the carb, radiator, alternator, distributor, starter, engine, and gearbox seals and shifter all required attention — and this was just the start. Most of the items have now been ticked off, but as yet, the job is still not quite there.

1967 FORD GALAXIE 500 XL ENGINE: 390ci FE big-block Ford, bored 40-thou, flat-top pistons, Harland Sharp roller rockers, Harland Sharp valve springs, Canton windage tray, Canton sump, stainless headers, twin 2.5-inch exhausts, ported heads, mild cam, Quick Fuel SS780 carburetor, Edelbrock Street Master manifold, 100-litre custom fuel cell, Streetfire ignition, Mallory billet distributor, custom radiator DRIVETRAIN: FMX transmission, nine-inch diff, nodular iron centre SUSPENSION: Lowered springs, Teflon bushes BRAKES: Stock discs and drums WHEELS AND TYRES: 15-inch steelies, 235/60R15 and 255/60R15 EXTERIOR: Modified and tucked bumpers, PPG ‘Uluru’ paint INTERIOR: Full custom retrim, Moon gauges, Grant steering wheel, B&M Quicksilver shifter, T800 Terminator shift knob, Alpine head unit, Rockford Components, Rockford 6x9s, Rockford amplifiers PERFORMANCE: Untested

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Turning his attention to the interior, Leigh already had a concept in mind, and secured the services of Ian Ingram to bring it to life. Planning to spend quite a lot of time racking up the miles in the car, Leigh just couldn’t see himself spending much time inside what he expressed as a “bland black” interior, and with thoughts of bringing more of the exterior colour inside, set about creating one of the car’s highlights. “Subtlety isn’t one of my strong points,” explains Leigh, “so that was left outside the car.”

Designed, drawn, and drafted by Leigh, these ideas were taken to Ian, who specializes in classic car interiors, and he set about bringing those ideas to life. Finally, it was a matter of finding the material with the closest colour match to the exterior paint.

It was ordered from Porsche, out of Germany, and having been discontinued, the guys were very lucky in securing the last of it. Keeping some of the old black interior, Leigh went about pencilling out the lines on the seats so that Ian and colleague Fernand knew where the new burnt-orange vinyl was to meet the black. “I asked for a double-diamond stitching for classic texture, as I really wanted that to be a main feature of the interior,” Leigh tells us. To say Leigh is happy with the results is an understatement. The finished interior is about as ‘in your face’ as it gets and delivers on everything that Leigh requested, including the centre console, which all meets the comfort and function he was after. If you are after a subtle interior, that is something you will not find in this car.

Now turning his attention to the exterior of the Galaxie, Leigh wanted to tidy up the lines of the car while still retaining the classic Nascar look

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

that drew him to it in the first place. “I wanted that streamlined, clean muscle presence,” explains Leigh. In stepped Lee Martin of Rodz & Restos, Wanaka, who were tasked with bringing the exterior up to the same level as the interior. Starting with a rather long list of items requiring attention, the guys got to work realigning and tucking in the bumpers while adding custom details and accents to them, realigning the panel gaps, fabricating a new valance

Leigh just couldn’t see himself spending much time inside what he expressed as a “bland black” interior between the grille and bumper, touching up the paint in its factory GM hue named Uluru — a colour which changes from a deep rustic bronze through to a sharp orange and ruby — as well as repainting all the black accents in satin finish, just to name a few. A number of items had to also be addressed on the interior that helped to bring more of the exterior colour inside. The panels on the back of the seats, new dashboard cluster, and steering column, after having the old shifter hole repaired, all received a coating of the exterior colour, helping to achieve the look that Leigh was after. The entire boot interior also received some attention, as did the electric windows. As there were no window regulators available, even in the US, Lee electrified

the windows by installing a hot rod–style kit.

With all the major items out of the way, Leigh afforded the guys a little creative freedom. He was pleasantly surprised with the finishing touches and details that they performed on the car. Leigh describes Lee and his team at Rodz & Resto’s as true artists. Happy with progress on the car, thoughts turned to protecting the paint and finish, so the car arrived at WanaCleanCar in Wanaka where Richard ‘Rich’ Jeans took the Galaxie through a four-stage paint-correction process. Starting with a light sanding to smooth out any paint imperfections, it was followed by a three-stage machine-polishing process before applying five separate coats of Ceramic Pro 9H to bring out a deep shine and lustre to the paint. Once Rich was done, the car returned

to Garry’s Garage where the big block’s severe drinking problems were dealt to. The Galaxie’s fuel tank was draining faster than a keg at a frat party, so the solution was to replace the old 780cfm Holley carb with a QuickFuel SS780 AN-series carb.

Now that the car is at a point where Leigh is very happy, mileage is now on the cards, and plenty of it. As with all projects, they are never really finished, and this one is no exception, with future plans including a chase for more horsepower while still retaining its streetability. A new, more aggressive cam is on the want list, along with new springs, lifters, manifold, and exhaust. A new C6 custom trans with Gearvendors under/overdrive will also find a place under the car. The final word goes to Leigh who told us, “I set out to build and customize this car to make something truly different — something that every car guy could appreciate in some way. Love or hate this example, it was a tribute to my late father and a selfish love of American classics and muscle cars.” We’re sure we’re not alone in thinking Leigh’s dad would be proud of the car his plates are now fitted to.

DRIVER: Leigh Jackson CAR CLUB: Alpine Street Machines AGE: 34 OCCUPATION: Franchise owner PREVIOUSLY OWNED CARS: AMG C63, Jeep Cherokee 5.7 Hemi, HSV VSII Clubsport DREAM CAR: 1959 Impala restomod WHY THE GALAXIE?: I wanted something that wasn’t your typical cruiser BUILD TIME: Bought partially done LENGTH OF OWNERSHIP: One year LEIGH THANKS: My wife Kelly, thanks for not asking too many questions; my best mate and “car bro” Clive Turner for fuelling my auto passion for going on near 20 years; Garry my mechanic from Garry’s Garage; Lee Martin and the lads at Rods & Restos Wanaka; Ian Ingram and Ferdinand Salta for the upholstery; Richard Jeans from WanaCleanCar Wanaka; Robert from Warbirds & Wheels for the use of their venue; Andy, Pete, Peter and Shane at Alpine Street Machines and all of our other fine members; my mum and dad — it all started with a $2 Matchbox toy … I blame you

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RECREATING AN ICON

soon, and it needed to be completed in a hurry.

Having plenty of work already, and not wanting to be involved with someone else’s replica car, David politely but firmly declined the pleas for him to finish the car. A couple of weeks rolled by, and the guy had made several calls to David trying to talk Consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi rutrum nunc vel him into working on the car. He phoned once again, mollis aliquam. Cras at nunc maximus, tempus urna and this time told David he was shipping it down, et, porta ex. Fusce ipsum urna, maximus quis sapien INVERCARGILL’S DAVID BROWN NEVER INTENDED TO BUILD SOME OF THE BEST and it would be there in a couple of days! id, tempor consequat quam. Etiam malesuada GT40S IN THE WORLD, BUT HIS KIWI KNOW-HOW AND CAN-DO SAW IT HAPPEN When the car arrived, and David inspected placerat tempor. Nam ac consequat urna, eget ALMOST BY ACCIDENT the chassis, he quickly realized it was a complete aliquet felis. Etiam iaculis est velit, sit amet mollis mess, wasn’t straight, and was constructed out of nulla venenatis eget. Sed facilisis purus dolor, vel WORDS: ANDREW JOHNSTON PHOTOS: ANDREW JOHNSTON/SUPPLIED super-heavy RHS. David convinced the owner it elementum enim semper ut. Ut nisi magna, ultricies wasn’t worth working with and, luckily, the owner a tortor ut, laoreet porta lorem. uried deep in the South Island sits a business owned GT40, and a Ferrari Dino 206SP for Dennis agreed to doing it properly with a full 100-per-cent you may not have heard of but is making waves Chapman in Christchurch. construction, faithful to the original monocoque around the globe. Classic Car Developments, The GT40 story began on a trip to chassis of a real GT40. Dave had no inclination the brainchild of born-and-bred Southlander David Christchurch to deliver one of the C-Type Jaguars to build anything else than Jaguar C- or D-Types, Brown, specializes in building meticulously accurate to be shipped to Sydney. The shipping agent but he got interested in the build when he realized Jaguar C-types, D-Types, and Ford GT40s. David invited Dave to come round to dinner for a didn’t set out to build what are now recognized as chat. After dinner he said, “Come outside, I have arguably the best Ford GT40 replicas in the world. something to show you.” He then led him out to Rather, building the cars just kind of evolved from the backyard where, behind a big heap of dirt, the skill sets he had learnt and the people he was was a car of some sort under a large tarp. When connecting with. the owner pulled the tarp back, David realized he David’s engineering career started with Automotive Machining from 1966–71. He then spent an enjoyable two years of performancetuning race cars with Brian Taylor. Next up was six years of precision aircraft engineering and fabrication. During this time, David also had the opportunity to complete his private pilot’s licence and engineering licence exams for aircraft engineering. In 1980, he ventured into self-employment, starting his own engineering was looking at a partially built replica Ford GT40 company called Mica Engineering, providing light built by a UK kit-car company. engineering and working on race cars. After 10 The guy had brought it into NZ under a years, however, he realized he wanted to specialize 12-month Carnet (a Carnet de Passages en Douane in building classic cars, starting with a full build allows a person to bring a car into a country for a of a beautiful Lotus 11. This was the beginning of specific timeframe with a hefty bond paid to ensure Classic Car Developments, starting with two C-Type the owner ships it back). Nine months was up, Jaguar builds for overseas clients, a New Zealand– meaning it had to go back to his home in Aussie

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When the owner pulled the tarp back, David realized he was looking at a partially built replica Ford GT40

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

how well the GT40s are designed and built. Being a fastidious researcher, this sent him into a tailspin of burning the candle at both ends, researching every last millimetre of the GT40’s construction.

This often extended late into the evenings, looking at drawings and photos from library-sourced books with a magnifying glass to ensure he understood every panel, every fold, every opening, every spotweld, and the placement of every rivet. A major help to this was building a connection and friendship with Brian Wingfield from the UK, who had worked on all the original GT40s. Brian helped hugely by giving David lots of information, drawings, and all the original dimensions to help solve the lifesized 3D jigsaw puzzle. David’s precision aircraft engineering background helped immensely with the ground-up datum-line construction of fabricating bulkheads and panels, placing panels using Clecos, then riveting and spot-welding everything together, exactly as the original cars were made. Of course, with a build like this, everything has to be absolutely correct in measurements and angles for each piece to fit together precisely.

The original Ford GT40 was designed and built in England, based upon the British Lola Mk VI and was produced in three models: the Mk I, Mk II, and Mk III variants. Only the Mk IV model was fully designed and built in the United States. Contrary to what a lot of Americans think — or wish — this was truly a British-manufactured race car, albeit with an

American V8, made to specifically race and win at Le Mans, which it eventually did. In 1966, the GT40 ended Ferrari’s 1960–1965 24 Hours of Le Mans race winning streak by taking first, second, and third places. The GT40s then continued to win the next three Le Mans races in ’67, ’68, and ’69.

The GT40 range was powered by a series of Ford V8 engines, modified for racing. Early cars were simply named ‘Ford GT’ (for Grand Touring), which was the name of Ford’s project to prepare the cars for the international endurance racing circuit. The ‘40’ represented its height of 40-inches (1.02m), measured at the windshield, the maximum allowed for Le Mans racing. The purchase price in 1964 of the completed car for competition use was £5,200.

GT40s have a full monocoque chassis construction (the word monocoque is a French term meaning ‘single shell’) rather than a tube space frame favoured by many manufacturers for limited build race cars, so the chassis is mostly constructed out of very light, 0.7mm (22-gauge) zinc sheet. By itself, a flat sheet has little strength. However, when it is folded into intricate shapes, it gains massive compression and shear strength, giving a rigid

chassis as good as a modern mass-produced car.

Not to be taken lightly, over 700 panel components go into building a GT40 chassis, with very few parts being identical. The cockpit is designed to be exclusively right-hand drive, with a 2¾-inch (70mm) bias of the driver’s side off the centre line. David has spent countless hours building tooling, dies, jigs, and formers to produce one of the most accurate replica chassis in the world. On top of building the patterns for every chassis part, David has constructed over 70 patterns for casting other parts such as suspension uprights, gear-lever brackets and bearing holders, body hinges, pulleys on the engine, pedal box, etc. He mostly uses Wickham Foundry in Christchurch for the alloy cast parts and Casting Shop Ltd, also in Christchurch, for the cast parts. David runs a small, highly skilled team of machinists and sheet-metal fabricators, and with years of engine reconditioning — and many Ford V8 rebuilds — David completes the engine rebuilds himself and has a local specialist in Invercargill work on the ZF transmissions if necessary.

The car in the photos is owned by Brian Stewart from Dunedin and is the only GT40 that David has built for a New Zealander. It is fitting that Brian chose its registration number and car roundel numbers in recognition of GT40P 1046, the car that was driven to victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race by New Zealanders Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon.

True to the original, the body has fibreglass front and rear body sections, and fibreglass doors. And, after much deliberation, Brian chose a 1969 351W engine — complete with 0.030-inch over-bore, giving a total of 5833cc displacement — with AFR 185cc aluminium heads, yielding over 400bhp. This is mated to a ZF transaxle, with Girling four-pot alloy callipers on the front, and Girling 16/4s on the rear — both as on the ’68 and ’69 Le Mans–winning car — to handle the stopping duties.

Early prototype GT40s were fitted with Ford’s 255ci, four-cam, ‘Indy’ engine, and production Mk I racers were fitted with small-block 289s or, in later years, 302 engines. However, some cars, including the three GT40-based Mirages, ran 351W-derived

37

engines for a few races. The Mk IIs and Mk IVs ran big-block 427ci FEs and, of the 107 built — 134 if you include Mk IIs, IIIs, IVs, and Mirages — it is thought that only seven cars no longer exist. Exact numbers are not clear-cut because some cars were rebuilt using different chassis numbers, or changed designation, or their fate is unknown. There is also some doubt about the pedigree of some supposedly original cars, with more than one car showing up with the same chassis number.

Ford made use of its extensive parts bin for the GT40, with a number of items being sourced from more mundane company products, and additional items were either sourced from other makes current at the time and modified to suit or custom-built.

Many of the items required to build this car were collected by Brian during an exhaustive 18-year search within New Zealand and around the globe.

The remainder were sourced or custom-fabricated

by David.

For durability and longevity, there are a few subtle upgrades built into Brian’s car. For example, the original Mk Is were fitted with rotoflex drive couplings, but his car has CV joints, as found on Mk IIs. The original uprights, pedal box, steering rack, filler caps, and wheels were magnesium, but on his car they are aluminium for longevity. The original fuel tanks were rubber-bladder type, which were prone to leaks and had a limited lifespan, so CCD built beautifully fabricated aluminium tanks.

Also installed is a plumbed-in fire-suppression system, which the originals did not have, although many have since had such systems retro-fitted.

The original monocoque chassis were not made from zinc-coated steel, so were prone to rust.

The original cars had a cable-driven speedo and mechanical gauges, but Brian has fitted his car with ultra-reliable Smiths electronic gauges.

The early original cars had heavy, cast-iron heads, so to save some weight, Brian has fitted his with aluminium heads and front cover, saving about 40kg. However, some later original race cars were fitted with the lighter aluminium Gurney Weslake heads. Brian’s brake discs are ventilated to give better cooling than the solid discs that were used on early (pre-1966) originals, and the tyres chosen

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

GT40 Mk IIs were clocked at speeds well in excess of 210mph on the Mulsanne Straight during the 1966 race. They had 80 more horsepower than this car, but were 100kg heavier are AVON CR6ZZ . The original cars used Goodyear Blue Streaks, among others. However, many originals now involved in classic racing are shod with Avons where allowed.

The original mechanical water pump has been replaced by an electric pump to facilitate cooling in slow or stop/start traffic, while the original racing intake manifold has two coolant outlets, no thermostat housing, and Webers all facing left. This car has a single outlet manifold and Webers facing away from each other.

Acceleration from 0–100kph is a shade under four seconds and top speed, with the current gearing, is approximately 165mph (265kph) at a modest 6000rpm. With Le Mans gearing and in race tune rather than street, it would likely top 200mph (320kph), as a number of the GT40 Mk IIs were clocked at speeds well in excess of 210mph on the Mulsanne Straight during the 1966 race.

They had 80 more horsepower than this car, but were 100kg heavier.

When asked what it’s like to drive, his reply is, “Just like the originals: hot, noisy, little room for

luggage, and leaks like a sieve in the rain. But it handles brilliantly, and driving it is huge fun. It is surprisingly comfortable, and it is possible to hold a conversation with your passenger at 100kph … just.”

A couple of interesting facts about the GT40’s aerodynamics: when the car is coming towards you at pace, the induction noise of air being fed out of the engine bay and sucked back into the air intakes creates a ‘singing’ noise, and when a GT40 goes through dust on the road, the dust swirls at the rear from each side in towards the centre due to the two vortices caused by the shape of the smooth body with the sharply cut-off rear end. The 180-degree headers also give a sound most unlike the usual V8 throb.

With five completed GT40 cars and 16 rolling chassis shipped from David’s Invercargill workshop to Norway, Sweden, UK, France, USA, Australia, and NZ, it is a real tribute to him that his cars and chassis are raced and displayed at famous tracks all over the world, including Goodwood and Silverstone. His business is certainly unique and is very unconventional compared to a normal New Zealand business. He does zero marketing, as it is all word of mouth, has no website, isn’t on any social media, and his enquiries are a phone call from somewhere in the world every three months or so. The people who call normally know exactly what they are wanting and are serious about ordering a car.

So, if you want to buy yourself an incredible, handmade car that is a slice of ’60s V8 racing history, be warned, you better know your GT40s, and David jokes that you only get two choices when he builds you a car — the colour and the brand of tyres you want to run!

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

Delkor EFB for ISS Delkor Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFBs) are designed for vehicles fitted with idle-stop-start (ISS) technology. These vehicles start their engines approximately 16,000 times more per annum than standard vehicles, which calls for batteries focused on engine-cranking power. Delkor EFB batteries have patented PowerFrame Grid technology which delivers increased dynamic charge acceptance needed for the regenerative braking systems used in ISS vehicles. The Delkor SQ85D23LEFB and SQ85D23REFB are drop-in replacements for vehicles specifying Q-85 EFB. Available from R&J Batteries branches and distributors. For more information see delkor.com.au.

Touchscreen LaserLine balancer The New Corghi EM9580C Plus LaserLine Touchscreen wheel balancer has electronic wheel clamping and an automatic wheel-size detector. It automatically activates the balancing programme, brakes the wheel, and a laser indicates weight location. A special weight-saving programme cuts job times by 20 per cent and reduces the weights used by 30 per cent for a more cost-effective, environmentally friendly operation. For more information, see automaster.co.nz, call 0800 214 604, or email info@ automaster.co.nz.

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Blackfern welcomes 1000th member POHUTUKAWA MOTORS, NEAR AUCKLAND’S BEACHLANDS, JOINED THE BLACKFERN CO-OPERATIVE RECENTLY AND WAS SURPRISED TO GET AN EXTRA-WARM WELCOME, AS THE GROUP’S 1000TH MEMBER wner Phil Long says that after researching the options it was a no-brainer to join Blackfern.

“I did analyse it and was looking for a catch but I couldn’t find one, or a reason not to join.

It kind of feels like a family as it is New Zealand owned and operated and we really need that right now,” Phil says.

The fact Blackfern had partnered with FMG Insurance also showed a commitment to growing member services, alongside earning rewards.

As a landmark member Phil got some additional rewards points and a certificate, now proudly displayed on-site.

Phil knows about organic growth. After working as a technician and service adviser for Lexus and Toyota, he had nearly five years as a stay-at-home dad. He planned to leave the trade but his growing business as a mobile mechanic

O

led to the decision to set up in Beachlands, and he started Pohutukawa Motors in April 2013. The business has grown to a staff of five and Phil is looking at taking on more staff and even opening another workshop.

Phil says the lockdowns obviously affected trade but the signs are now good.

“We are always busy with WOFs and we are now back to a semblance of normality,” he says.

Phil is also optimistic about the future.

“There’s a lot of awareness around electric vehicles and the impact they will have on the traditional motor trade, but short term I don’t anticipate much change. Even after the electric charging infrastructure is improved electric cars will still need servicing and with hybrids people will still be running combustion engines for a while,” he says.

See blackfern.coop for more information.

The end of one era and the start of a new one KIWI SHANE VAN GISBERGEN’S BATHURST WIN FOR HOLDEN MARKS THEN END OF MORE THAN ONE ERA hane van Gisbergen’s maiden Bathurst 1000 victory came in the last official Supercars race for Holden, following General Motors’ decision to close the brand. It was also the last outing for Supercheap Auto as race and series sponsor.

Triple Eight and other Supercars squads will continue to campaign Commodores next year without factory support, before the Chevrolet Camaro joins the grid under new Gen3 rules in 2022.

Van Gisbergen, the son of a Ford fanatic, controversially switched to Holden eight years ago joining Holden squad Tekno Autosports before moving to Triple Eight. He has raced under the Holden Racing

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

Team banner for the last four years finishing in the best possible style driving to victory at Bathurst partnered with four-time winner and co-driver Garth Tander.

Repco, which has a long association with the race, announced in August it would be sponsoring Bathurst and it has also taken over the Supercars Championship sponsorhsip. “We are so excited to be announcing this partnership with Supercars,” says Repco’s New Zealand general manager, Jonathon Maddren.“We are really proud to be given the opportunity to become part of that family and work with them to bring the series to the fans that share our enduring passion.”

Phil Long’s Pohutukawa Motors is Blackfern’s 1000th member

In the 1940s, legendary Repco engineer Charlie Dean brought the world the Maybach Special, which raced from 1947 to 1960. Repco then famously partnered with Sir Jack Brabham, Denny Hulme, and the Brabham racing team to win the Formula One world championships in 1966 and 1967. More recently, Repco has supported DJR Team Penske and Scott McLaughlin’s Supercars Championship-winning Shell V-Power Mustang in both 2018 and 2019.

1stparts.co.nz

PC 45 Rennie Drive Mangere

(09) 6386439

parts@1stparts.co.nz

VACANCY For a National Parts Supplier To join Blackfern Co-operative

DON’T BE ONE OF THE CROWD!

Contact: Roger Castleton 027 252 2533 or roger@blackfern.coop

Pure Kiwi

blackfern.coop

Supplier directory

PA R Be TS

a S ra ring UP di s P at , d LY or iff : s, s, en al SE gi ter RV ne n O IC co ato ils E ,g C m rs, po br re O as N ne ak e, S nt e c co UM s, om ol A W Ba p an B O tte on L t R , E rie en Ra K t S r an : s ts gs SH , s cl , lu O fl ea b P ui ne ric C d, rs an O bu , C ts N lb SU ar , P SU s, flu SP C PE M ar , A sh Ti E a B e e N er L es , r A bu od SIO irc oso ES on ls : sh s, N ,a es ba & br , b ll j S as ea oin TE AF iv rin ts E es TE , r RI g , s, ac N Au R sh k G di M oc en : dr o, AR ks ds es pe K , s rf ET up or , p m AC W ai an C nt ce ES O /w p S D RK ra ar O ia S p, ts, RI g ha no HO dr bo ES nd sti P iv d : el y c E to s, Q iv ki e ts ol ho U s, is IP , RE sp ts M PA , ec e E N Au IR l ia ec T l to ist tr : en E SER se ics gi lec V rv , p ne tr IC ic ow i e c re al E: eq er bu , g W ui to ild ea pm ol IN r s b , D W S en s, su ox in C t sp es d m sc RE en , c irr re E sio yli or en N nd n S s, s ,c e w ,c & oo r h ip hi G W er p LA lin ead H s, re S g s, E O E cu pa S EM LS st irs : om , s re re & pa p T fit ide irs lac YR m gl , c em E en as S: o t s, e ns n AU t um , TO t re ab yre st R le s, s, fit su ora EFI in tin pp tio N ne g lie n, ISH r t /b s, sm E ub ala sp a R es nc ra sh S: in yp re g, ai pa nt ir er s, s, au pa to in b tc o or dy re ct io n

YOUR GUIDE TO NEW ZEALAND'S LEADING AUTOMOTIVE TRADE SUPPLIERS

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0800 472 787 0800 200 100 0800 445 889 0800 333 125 aecs.net 06 874 9077 bntnz.co.nz 09 414 3200 hcb.co.nz or 0800 422 228

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precisionequipment.co.nz 0800 246 478

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jasoceania.co.nz or 0800 527 335

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dieseldistributors.co.nz or 09 265 0622 09 836 6673

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autolign.co.nz or 09 574 2288 tatp.co.nz or 0800 268 266

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smitsgroup.co.nz or 0800 227 422

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griffithsequipment.co.nz or 09 525 4575

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parts@1stautoparts.co.nz or 09 638 6439 mountshop.co.nz or 0508 866 686

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bmw.co.nz or 0508 269 727 cyb.co.nz or 09 978 6666

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0800 465 855 0800 549 429

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automaster.co.nz or 0800 214 604 centurydistributors.co.nz

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dtm.co.nz or 0800 621 233

nzmotoroils.com or 0800 942 645

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0800 383 566 06 306 8446 or blackfern.coop redarcelectronics.co.nz 0800 757 333 or fenixautoparts.co.nz

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crc.co.nz or 09 272 2700 rjbatt.co.nz or 09 636 5980

 Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

patchrubber.co.nz or 0508 837 248

penriteoil.co.nz or 0800 533 698

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smitsgroup.co.nz or 0800 227 422

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treadwayequipped.co.nz 0800 436 436

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sales@advancefc.co.nz 0800 538 058 holden.co.nz/dealers

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mmnz.co.nz or 0800 54 53 52

cooldrive.co.nz or 0800 327 868 ryco.co.nz or 0800 838 222

ford.co.nz or 0800 367 369

tyreorder.co.nz or 0800 80 90 96 moreyoil.co.nz or 09 813 9200 gearwrench.co.nz

The Auto Channel supplier directory is your easy reference for sourcing a range of automotive products and services.

This directory is a paid service for businesses who supply to the New Zealand automotive trade.

To secure your inclusion, contact Mark Everleigh on 09 222 1729 or mark.everleigh@parkside.co.nz.

TIME TO UPDATE THOSE 2007 COPIES OF WOMAN’S WEEKLY IN YOUR WAITING ROOM?

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE AND HAVE FIVE NEW MAGAZINES DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTHS!

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a S ra ring UP di s P at , d LY or iff : s, s, en al SE gi ter RV ne n O IC co ato ils E ,g C m rs, po br re O as N ne ak e, S nt e c co UM s, om ol A W Ba p an B O tte on L t R , E rie en Ra K t S r a s ts gs SH : n , s cl , lu O fl ea b P ui ne ric C d, O rs an bu , C ts N lb SU ar , P SU s, flu SP C PE M a , a AB sh Ti E r e e N es , A er L r S bu od IO irc oso ES on ls : sh s, N ,a es ba & br , b ll j S as ea oin TE AF iv rin ts E es TE , r RI g , s, ac N Au R sh k G di M oc en : dr o, AR ks ds es pe K , s rf ET up or , p m AC W ai an C nt ce ES O /w p S D RK ra ar O ia S g p, ts, RI ha no HO dr bo ES nd sti P iv d : el y c E to s, Q iv ki e ts ol ho U s, is IP , RE sp ts M PA , ec e E N Au IR l ia ec T lis t : to S t s ric en E ER er s, gi lec V vi po ne tr IC ce w i c re al E: eq er bu , g W ui to ild ea pm ol IN s, rb W DS en s, su ox in C t sp es d m sc RE en , c irr re E sio yli or en N n, nd s, s S co er w ,c & ip hi G W ol he er p LA in ad H s, re S g s, E O E cu pa S EM LS st irs : om , s re re & pa p T fit ide irs lac YR m gl , c em E en as on e S: t s, AU su nt, TO m ty re ab re st R le s, s, fit su ora EFI in tin pp tio N ne g lie n, ISH r t /b s, sm E ub ala sp a R es nc ra sh S: in yp re g, ai pa nt ir er s, s, au pa to in b tc o or dy re ct io n

PA R Be TS

Mustang Mach 1 back FORD RECONNECTS THE MUSTANG WITH ITS GLORIOUS PAST eventy-three years ago, over Rogers Dry Lake in Southern California, humans broke the sound barrier in the first ever Mach 1 flight.

Ford picked up on that resonant vibe launching its first Mach 1 Mustang in 1969. It has remained a favourite model to this day. Mach 1s were made through to 1974. Now the name is back and is being applied to the first ever factory right-hand drive model from the Flat Rock, Michigan, plant.

In another New Zealand Mustang first, customers will be able to secure their own 2021 Mustang Mach 1 online at Ford.co.nz through a bespoke reservation programme. The process gives customers the ability to secure one of the limited examples set for New Zealand right from their smartphone or other device. Around 50 cars could be ear-marked for New Zealand.

Following the lead of the original 1969 Mustang Mach 1 that bridged the gap between the Mustang GT and Shelby models, the all-new Mach 1 delivers additional V8 power, a driver-focused cockpit and track-focused upgrades above the Mustang GT. Since the Mustang’s arrival as a new car in New Zealand in December 2015, special edition Ford Mustangs have been especially popular. The Mustang Bullitt sold out before arriving.

Mustang is now the choice for Ford Performance global racing programs in 2019, which has seen Mustang compete in NASCAR, GT4, NHRA and, in Australia, the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship. It won the 2019 and 2020 Supercars manufacturers titles for Ford.

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The Mach 1 will be offered alongside the Mustang 2.3L High Performance and Mustang GT in 2021. The New Zealand specification and pricing will be announced closer to launch.

Auto Channel is the best way to reach the wider automotive industry. The publication is direct mailed to 11,298 New Zealand businesses in the following automotive sectors: Automotive workshops Parts importers and distributors Transmission specialists Automotive recyclers Towing operators Panel beaters and painters Crash repairers Tyre dealers

Fast service spurs growth BATTERY BILL EXPANDS TO MEET THE CAPITAL’S URGENT BATTERY REQUIREMENTS attery Bill in Auckland’s Papatoetoe opened in 2009 and was soon flat out, working to honour the two-hour delivery promise owner Bill Barham had established for his loyal customers.

Bill says something in his recipe worked for

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Owen Todd leads the charge in Wellington

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Auto Channel Issue # 30 November 2020

customers and his business grew bigger and faster than he had anticipated. In 2011, Bill acquired an existing battery shop in East Tamaki to help support the growth in east Auckland.

Bill has been working with batteries in Auckland for more than 30 years, starting with Chloride Batteries in Wiri then Broadway Batteries based in Newmarket. After that he sold to the trade directly for a while and offered a mobile service for those who couldn’t get into their local garage for a replacement — something that soon became a speciality.

Battery Bill now has a team of eight including Bill’s son, operations manager Brendon, and three mobile vans servicing greater Auckland. In mid2019 Owen Todd took his five years’ experience with Battery Bill in Auckland to Wellington, establishing a base for the company in Lower Hutt to service to the local trade.

Battery Bill covers automotive, commercial, deep cycle, and marine. In fact, Bill says there is almost nothing his team can’t supply.

The is a supplier to the Blackfern Co-operative.

Any member purchase from Battery Bill in November will go into the draw to win 10,000 Blackfern points.

Suspension and underbody repairers Steering specialists Towing operators Auto-electrical repairers New- and used-car dealers Air conditioning repairers Heavy machinery dealers Trucking and transport

Auto Channel Issue No. 31 distributed 24 November Editorial: editor@autochannel.co.nz Advertising: Mike White michael.white@parkside.co.nz All other enquiries to: autochannel.co.nz Auto Channel is produced by Parkside Media, publishers of NZ’s three biggest-selling automotive magazines NZ Performance Car, New Zealand Classic Car, and NZV8.

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