September

It’s imposing, luxurious and has a boot big enough to carry several bodies. The Lincoln Continental was a big statement, whether you were a mob boss or a US President, and the swankiest of all was the Town Car. The crime spec black paint certainly conjures images of well dressed men eating spaghetti and fitting concrete boots to once loyal soldiers, but these days an annual visit to Beach Hop is probably more likely. Turners Hamilton are auctioning this sinister example. Read on...

The Mitsubishi Celeste is one of those cars that today looks really pretty from any angle, and yet its brief period in the sun when new was followed by years of indifference. Few cared about the Celeste, it was just something the lady down the street drove when you were a kid. And like most cars from this era, rust took an abysmal toll. Luckily, some owners really loved their Celestes and that’s why this stunning example survives today. And you can bid to buy it. Read on...

The fourth generation Ford Mustang is perhaps not the prettiest or sought after of the famous pony car’s iterations. And this one is plunged further down the pecking order by being the base model with a V6 and auto box. But all of this is reflected in the price, and Mustang prices are seldom as attractive as the auction estimate of this one at Turners Hamilton. Read on...

It may seem obvious now but the Ford Capri was indeed designed to be the European Mustang and was designed by Mustang designer Phillip T Clark. It’s a fact that only surfaced in recent years and, like the famous American Pony car, it was a big success. This Mk2 model has a later 2.8 injected Cologne V6 with 5 speed manual gearbox. So if you fancy the car favoured by seventies cop shows, then check this one out at Turners Christchurch. Read on...

The Mercedes 190E, or baby Benz, has aged well and makes for a great entry level modern classic. They are comfortable, superbly built and reliable (if properly serviced). They also project just a little bit of old school class – an understated elegance that has improved with age. But the wee Merc still seems overlooked, and as such, good ones remain affordable. Like this 1992 model with the excellent 2.3L 4 cylinder engine that is being auctioned with a $1 reserve. Read on...

A few short years ago Korean brands were looked down on by car buyers who saw them as inferior. And, to be fair, who can forget the Daewoo Nubira or the Hyundai Pony? But in recent years brands like Kia and Hyundai have skilfully turned around perceptions by building decent, if not overly exciting, cars. And then Kia got cocky and took on the Europeans with the Stinger. How did they do? Pretty well, actually. Read on...

The Volkswagen Golf had the unenviable task of replacing the Beetle, a car that had sold squillions around the world and was much loved. Well, the Golf succeeded and is still a big seller today. But the Mk1 Golf is a rare thing to see these days, and Turners Christchurch have this NZ new Mk1 Cabriolet with low kilometres that is ripe for a minor makeover to be ready for Summer. Read on...

The Italian beauty that could’ve been so much more but still delivers a knockout blow in the looks department. The Alfa Romeo Brera may have been watered down from its original concept but it still retains it’s drop-dead gorgeousness. And instead of being a very limited slice of exotica afforded only by the most wealthy (which is what it could’ve been) it’s accessible and affordable to many. This example is for sale right now at Turners Tauranga. Read on...

This Granddad spec 1982 Mitsubishi Sigma has developed a charm that it may have lacked in its heyday. All that beige upholstery and brown plastic went through a period of being deeply unpopular. But what was once sarcastically described as poo brown has now very definitely become chocolate brown in the eyes of many. If you see more Cadbury than Cackbury then this low mileage Sigma could be a mouth watering prospect. Read on...