Kit and replica cars of New Zealand

New Zealand had a long history of small garages and vehicle enthusiasts modifying and creating sports and sports racing cars. Out of these interests grew the New Zealand kit and replica car industry.

Beginnings

The Everson brothers, who were noted for making New Zealand first indigenous twin engined mono-plane, between 1935 to 1937 created a small two-seater rear engined car called the Everson Cherub. Three different one-off models were made by the brothers. Ernest's son Cliff built a variety of Everson models from the 1960s to the 1980s. The most successful was his eight Cherubs that were similar in design to the Mini Moke.

In the early 1950s, with the advent of fibreglass bodied cars, a new opportunity arose for local companies associated with car enthusiasts to create car bodies. Among these early manufacturers was Weltex Plastics Limited of Christchurch, which imported a Microplas Mistral sports car mould and began making bodies and chassis in 1956. They were followed in 1958 by Frank Cantwell's Puma and Bruce Goldwater's Cougar.^[1] Also in New Zealand during this period, Ferris de Joux was constructing a variety of sports racers. De Joux is noted in particular for his Mini GT from the 1960s.

Ross Baker's Heron Cars started in 1962 making racing cars and eventually began producing kit cars in 1980. Bill Ashton, formerly of Microplas and Weltex, joined with Ted George in the 1960s and made the Tiki. Three were known to have been made. Graham McRae with Steve Bond of Gemini Plastics imported a replica Le Mans McLaren M6B styled GT mould in 1968, The cars were made and sold by Dave Harrod and Steve Bond of Fibreglass Developments Ltd, Bunnythorpe as the Maram. McRae went on to make a very good Porsche Spyder replica in the 1990s.

A number of new companies entered the market in the 1980s - Almac 1985, Alternative Cars (1984), Cheetah (1986), Chevron (1984), Countess Mouldings (1988), Fraser (1988), Leitch (1986), and Saker (1989). Some recent ones are Beattie (automobile) (1997), which became Redline in 2001, and McGregor (2001).

Two companies which specialise in making replicas of various models to order are Classic Car Developments (1992) and Tempero. Both of these companies were noted for the quality of their workmanship. Commencing in 2002, Coventry Classics Limited from Gore specialised in making replica Jaguar C-Types.^[2]

Notable people

Ferris de Joux

Ferris de Joux (1935–2009) was a designer, engineer and constructor of sports cars. He was born on 24 August 1935. de Joux was said to have been one of New Zealand's most talented automotive designers. He appeared regularly in motoring magazines such as Motorman and Sports Car World from the 1970s.

Graham McRae

Graham McRae (born 5 March 1940) is a former racing driver from New Zealand. He achieved considerable success in Formula 5000 racing, winning the Tasman Series each year from 1971 to 1973, and also the 1972 L&M Continental 5000 Championship in the United States. McRae went on to make Porsche Spyder replicas in New Zealand.

Manufacturers

Almac

Almac is a New Zealand based kit car company founded in 1984 and located in Upper Hutt.^[3] Almac cars is a part of Almac Reinforced Plastics Ltd fibreglass product manufacturing a company founded in 1971 by Alex McDonald. McDonald's interest in kit cars started while he was living in England, having purchased a Jem Marsh Sirocco. Jem Marsh founded the Marcos car company.^[4]

Alternative Cars

Alternative Cars Limited is a New Zealand-based kit car company that manufactures fiber-glass bodied cars based on the 1950s MG TF.^[5] The company was founded by Russell Hooper, a medical supply representative, as Kit Kars Limited in 1984. In 1996 Kit Kars Ltd changed its name to Alternative Cars Limited. Initially the company operated from the owners home, until moving to a small 600 square foot workshop in Auckland.

Amero Corvette

A replica C3 Corvette made between 1983 and 1995 by Gordon Hawke. In all 25 kits were made with three versions: roadster, fastback, and T-Top. Hawks had made a car called the Amero GT in the 1970's and a prototype, the Amero California, between 1993 and 1995.

Asco Aura

A sports car made between 1984 and 1988 by Peter Andrews of Andrews Sports Car Company. 11 kits were made.

Auckland Cobra

A replica AC Cobra made by Rex Garland since 1983. By 2012 49 kits or turnkeys had been made.

Beattie (now Redline)

Beattie was originally a New Zealand kitcar created by Stephen Charles Beattie and its manufacture is now based in the United Kingdom. It made the Beattie SR2000 and Clubman Sports, based on the Lola-Climax Mk1.^[6] Kevin Hunt of Redline Performance Cars Limited acquired the design from Stephen Beattie in 1999 and the car was renamed the Redline Sprint with a least two models being available, the Sprint and the Road Sport.^[7] It was available up to at least 2007.^[8]

Burford Sports

A roadster made by Brian Ford since 1982. It is a cross between an AC Cobra and a Mistral. Up to 2012 16 kits had been made.

Cantwell Car Limited

Cantwell Car Limited made a fibreglass sports car called the Puma between 1957 and 1960. Only four were known to have been made.

Cheetah Cars

Cheetah Cars are a New Zealand based kit car company that commenced in 1986 based on a Jaguar E-Type shape. It ceased constructing cars in 1991.

Gideon de Lautour suggested the idea of creating a kit car based on a picture in the 1981 January–March issue of the Australian Sports Car World magazine. It was a BRG Jaquar E-Type S1 convertible that had been stripped of all chrome, had a roll bar installed, a set of lake pipes out the side and flared wheel arches that was being used for classic car racing. De Lautour had extensive experience working on exotic machinery in the United Kingdom.

The body style was to be based on the E-Type with Triumph 2000/2500 chassis and running gear. A Holden HQ was suggested as a better option because they were plentiful, they were cheap and plentiful. Also there were numerous variants from six cylinders to 350 V8's. The running gear was robust and the brakes reasonable for the period. The track was a little wider than the S1/S2 E type. Maximising the use of the donor vehicle for parts was also a key factor. Work started in 1986 in de Latour's garage with the purchase of an HQ which we stripped for parts. An aluminium body was constructed.

An incomplete prototype was presented at the 1988 New Zealand Car Show in Epsom, Auckland. Some sales were generated as was a lot of skepticism.

During construction of the first car fiber-glass sills, doors, and windscreen surround were decided upon to reduce the workload. Tron Cars on Auckland's North Shore were given the task of mould making due to their quality work on a Lamborghini Countach replica and an RX7 based car called the Mountach. Two more vehicles were sold during this period and delivered in 1989 as rolling chassis. Also four chassis were made for the Company Directors to test and improve the assembly manual.

Three events had a negative impact on the company. The 1987 share market collapse, the changed rules in 1989 for importing second hand vehicles, and rumours about possible changes to Government regulations that could add considerably to cost of kit cars. These rumours later proved incorrect but in the interim kit car sales plummeted.

The Directors decided to close down the operation in 1990, sell the prototype and see how the market performed. The existing chassis were taken away and completed the Directors.

Before the operation closed an order was received from Australia. The kit was completed and sent to Launceston, Tasmania in November 1991. In total 9 vehicles were made.

• 1 Prototype Currently being used as a Dunlop Targa competition vehicle
• 2 Road registered, high state of completeness
• 3 The current owner has installed a Nissan 3.0 straight six engine in the vehicle and to be road registered again
• 4 Presently being used as a Dunlop Targa race car.
• 5 Director’s car, Road registered, high state of completeness
• 6 Director’s car, Road registered, high state of completeness
• 7 Director’s car, unregistered
• 8 Director’s car, chassis destroyed, body kit only
• 9 Exported to Australia. Current status unknown

In 2009 there was increased interest in the Cheetah in particular. The company was seeking expressions of interest from parties interested in manufacturing and marketing the vehicle again.

Chevron

Chevron Engineering Specialties Ltd is a New Zealand based kit-car and race-car manufacturer owned by Dan, Evan, and Barbara Fray and founded in 1980.^[9] It is based in Massey, Auckland and manufactures three different models, with the Aprisa and Cypher competing in New Zealand sports car racing.

Classic Car Developments

Classic Car Developments is a replica car manufacturer formed in 1992 and based in Invercargill, New Zealand owned by Dave Brown. Brown was an aircraft engineer and automotive machinist. He was noted for his attention to detail and the level of accuracy in his replicas.

Classic Car Developments built individual replica cars to order. These have primarily been Jaguar C types and Ford GT40's. Up to 2009 the company had built 22 cars of various types. All but two were exported.[1][2]

Models built to date include:

• Jaguar C-Type
• 1955 Jaguar D-Type exported to England
• Lotus 11
• 1966 Ford GT40. Development of the GT40 took 14 months to complete. It had a steel monocoque chassis built from 20 gauge (1.2mm) steel sheet folded and spot welded to form a chassis. It had fibreglass front and rear body sections, fibreglass doors, and a 302 Ford V8 engine fitted to a ZF transaxle. The car was fitted with Girling four pot alloy calipers.
• Ferrari 206SP Dino. The Dino has a space frame chassis with an alloy body, built by Barney Tansley. It has an all alloy 2.0 litre Dino V6 engine. It was made for a Christchurch, New Zealand buyer.

Countess Mouldings

Countess Mouldings Limited made replica Lamborghini Countach sports racing cars in Fielding, New Zealand from 1988 until about 2009. David Short was the owner.^[10]

Short's workshop was originally an old wool shed that was used for sheep shearing. It was an average sized workshop, which could accommodate four or five cars. Short often hired extra hands when the orders increased. His first demonstartion vehicle was completed by 1989 and was later used for motor sport. His third demonstrator, built in 1998 was lighter and more powerful. It competed in the 1998 Dunlop Tyres Targa New Zealand rally.^[11]

Since 1998 Countess Mouldings have sold over sixty kits, about 25 of which were completed cars. Many of these cvars were exported to Japan. The cars space-frame uses square tube ERW steel and a built in roll cage is made from chrome-alloy and mild steel. The biggest selling point for these cars was their racing history. In 2004 there was talk of a replica Lamborghini Diablo being developed by Short.^[12]

The company was removed from the Companies register on 24 August 2011, its last registered document was its 2009 return.^[13] Short is now involved in manufacturing and development of portable sheep shears through his company Handypiece Holdings.

Coventry Classics

Commencing in 2002, Coventry Classics Limited from Gore specialised in making replica Jaguar C-Types.^[2]

Daytona Beach Buggy

Peter Clapham's Fibreglass Daytona Limited made one the more successful kit cars, with 80 being made between 1975 and 1983. They were designed to fit on a Volkswagon Bettle chassis.

Dixon

David Dixon made a Lotus 7 style kit car from 1980-1983. It was also assembled in Australia and marketed as the JSA. About 20 cars were made before the company went bankrupt in 1983. In 1986 the Dixon was revived by Western Fibreglass of Auckland and marketed as the Dixon Sarasan until 1988.

Escartus

A sports car made by Don and Graeme Ross of Napier from 1978 to 1982. Eight were built.

Eureka

In 1977 Eureka Cars NZ Limited was established to manufacture the Purvis Eureka in New Zealand. The number of cars made is unknown although some still exist.

F10 Special

Four cars built between 1958 and 1961 at Papakura.

Falcon and Tiki

An Ashley 750 that was made in Gisborne during Peter Pellandine's time in New Zealand and marketed as the Falcon Mk 1. There was also a racing version called the Falcon Mk 2. Pellandine sold the rights to build the Falcoln Mk 1 to George and Ashton Limited of Dunedin. They renamed the car the Tiki. About 12 Tiki bodies were made.^[14][15]

Fraser

Fraser Clubman is a component based car similar to a Lotus Seven Series 3, built in Auckland, New Zealand by Fraser Cars Ltd.^[16][17] Scott and Ida Tristram are the current Managing Directors of Fraser Cars having taken over the company from Neil Fraser in 2006.^[18]

GT40 Replication Limited

Ford GT40 replicas made by Phil Ware. The original mould and chassis was provided by Ken Attwell of KVA in England. 35 kits were sold, some turnkey.

Heron

Heron Cars were racing cars, sports and kit cars built in New Zealand between 1962 and 1999 by Ross Baker. They also included a one-off electric car.^[19]

Jarvis

a fibre-glass bodied sports car designed and built by Brian Jarvis between 1956 and 1958. Twelve were made by Jarvis and a further three by Reinforced Plastics Ltd of Penrose, Auckland in the early 1960's.

Leitch

The Leitch Super Sprint is a Lotus Seven replica made by Leitch Motorsport and Restoration, Ltd, in Invercargill, New Zealand.

Lynx

A Lotus 7 replica made by Bill Lynch between 1985 and 1988. 12 kits were sold.

MacGregor Motorsport Limited

McGregor Motorsport Limited is a Christchurch, New Zealand kit car manufacturer that specialises in cars based on the Lotus Seven named the McGregor Mark 7. The company was formed in October 2001 by John McGregor as McGregor Motorsport Holdings Limited. In July 2007 Robert Snow and Mark Roberts took over from McGregor.^[20]

Manx Beach Buggies

An Auckland based manufacturer of Beach Buggies owned by Rob Schriekel. 35 had been sold by 2012. Schriekel had made a Porsche 356 Spyder replica called the Platinum Spyder between 1993 and 2003. 12 were sold of which 6 were turnkey.

Mararn

Graham McRae with Steve Bond of Gemini Plastics imported a replica Le Mans McLaren M6B styled GT mould in 1968, The cars were made and sold by Dave Harrod and Steve Bond of Fibreglass Developments Ltd, Bunnythorpe as the Mararn. In 2005 the moulds were sold to a Dutch kit car collector.

Mistral

A British kitcar brought to New Zealand by Christchurch boat builder and racing driver, Bob Blackburn. Blackburn, and manufactured by Weltex Plastics Limited. The car used a Graeme Dennison designed chassis. Originally intended as a production car, a lack of parts meant it was sold only sold as a kit car. About 10 cars were completed by Weltex and 10 bodies sold between 1956 and 1961.^[21] A Dunedin company, Emslie and Flockton Limited, also made and sold the Mistral under licence after Blackburn had moved to Australia, possibly with Weltex's mould.^[22][23] A number of these cars are still in existence and Emslie and Flockton's mould is also believed to still exist.^[24] One of the Weltex Mistral bodies was fitted to the Stanton Special, which set the New Zealand land speed record at that time.^[25]

In 1989 a New Zealander, Roger Wilson, established Wilson Classics Sports Cars with the aim of building Mistral sports cars for use in classic car racing and for touring. A set of moulds were taken to modernise the original Mistral body. Several of the cars were built and successfully raced but demand was insufficient for a sustainable business and the venture ended.^[26]

Replicar Developments

The Ibis was a sports car designed by Wallace McNair and built by Ian Byrd. Rob Trainor and Bruce Stratton of Replica Dvelopments Limited acquired the rigs. In total 6 to 10 kits were sold between 1987 and 1989. Replica developed a new car in 1990, the Wasp which was styled after the AC Cobra. By 1994 6 had been sold.

Robertson Engineering

From 1988 to 1990 Jim Robertson sold 6 Lotus 11 replicas called the Lotas 11. In 1989 Robertson introduced a new model called the Panache, By 1992 when production ended 8 cars had been sold. Of these 6 were similar in design to the Lotus 7 and the remaining 2 had a single mould sports car body.

RWC Cobra

An AC Cobra replica that has been built since 1995. As at 2012 10 had been made.

Saker

Saker Sports Cars were designed and built in Feilding, New Zealand by Bruce Turnbull of Turnbull Engineering from 1989 to the present day. Turnbull has been providing technical assistance in the development of the Hulme F1.^[27] Since 2002 Sakers were also being built and designed in Etten-Leur, Netherlands.

Scorpion

A Eureka styled car made in Whangarei by Brian Hepps between 1984 and 1986. 5 were made.

SL

Sam Lyle of Gisborne built replicas of the 1938 Alfa Romeo Millie Miglia Spyder between 1999 and 2003. A total of 5 were built.

Taipan

A small sports car originally made by Cook Brothers using a Volkswagon floor pan. In 1983 Peter Clapham of Fibreglass Daytona Limited acquired the moulds. 30 kits were made by Cook Brothers and another 17 by Daytona.

Tempero

Tempero specialises in making replicas of various models to order. Replicas made have included the Ferrari 250 GTO.

Tom Morland Limited

Tom Morland of Tom Morland Limited of Christchurch specialised in making various replica kit cars.^[28] He made a replica Pontiac Firebird body designed for a Holden HQ chassis. These were sold between 1978 and 1992. In all 83 were made.

A De Tomaso Pantera was made from 1983 to 1990. 14 were made. Corvettes were made from 1986 to 1990. 20 kits were sold. TWR Jaguars were made from 1987 to 1990, Porsche 944's from 1987 to 1990, and Lamborghini Countachs from 1987 to 1990. 8 Countach kits were made,

Tron Exotic Industries

John Stewart and Tony Miller of Tron Exotic built a Countach replica called the Trontach between 1988 and 1997. They were expensive - about $200,000 and only 4 were built. The followed this between 1990 and 1997 wtih the Mountach, which was more successful with 13 sold.

TULL Sambar

A small farm vehicle built on a Subaru Leone chassis between 1992 and 2001. Of the 18 built the last one built was sold to the British High Commission and for a time became the only vehicle on Pitcairn Island.^[29]

Wilco

A Lotus 7 replica built by Robin and Gary Wilkinson between 1992 and 1996. In total 13 were made.

Clubs and Associations

The Constructors Car Club was founded in 1988 to support those who had an interest in building cars from scratch, including kit cars. The club is member of the Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association (LVVTA), the body entrusted with New Zealand’s modified and custom built vehicle certification system.^[30]

The Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association (LVVTA) was set up in 1990 to create the standards, provide training, and support to the LVV Certifiers and produce the LVV plates in response to the Ministry of Transport's (now Land Transport New Zealand)requirement that all new vehicles meet certain safety standards. Because hobbiests and small manufacturers were unable to meet the requirements set for major manufacturers the LVVTA was tasked with ensuring, within the bounds of such low volume production, safety standards were set and met by all low volume vehicles. Oversight is provided by the New Zealand Government's Land Transport New Zealand.^[31]

Current

Many of the above manufacturers remain in business, but only because of their other lines of work. The demand for kit and replica cars is low. The New Zealand motor vehicle registration statistics 2013 had 2 new Almacs registered between 2008 and 2012, 1 Countess in 2008, and 12 Frasers between 2008 and 2012. There may have been more with a total of 5 custom built, 3 home built, and 415 factory built cars not identified by make between 2008 and 2013.^[32]

Other sources

• Alternative Drivestyles: New Zealand Custom Built Cars, Patrick Harlow, Transpress, 2011, ISBN 1877418137, 9781877418136
• Historic Racing Cars of New Zealand, Graham Vercoe, Reed Books, Auckland 1991, ISBN 0-7900-0189-6
• New Zealand Manufactured Cars: A Cottage Industry, Patrick Harlow, Willsonscott Publishing International Limited, 2013, ISBN 1877427519, 9781877427510
• Spare Parts, Magazine of the Constructors Car Club, Lower Hutt

References

External links

• Cheetah Cars website
• McGregor Motorsport home page