BLACK WHEELS
It was inevitable that I would change so much of the original chrome look to a satin black look – not that I’m knocking the old school Lotus 7 look but merely expressing the 21st century look. So the chrome on the wheels simply had to go, and gone it has…..
PORSCHE
For the past three years I have been so absorbed with the world of custom built kit cars my 911 sat in the corner of the garage not demanding attention. However this changed during one of my “I’ll just take it around the block drive” which normally means three or four weeks later I take it back to it’s little corner in the garage. The plan was foiled as the exhaust failed the Japanese Shaken test…now this requires a little explanation!
Shaken (車検), a contraction of Jidōsha Kensa Tōrokuseido (自動車検査登録制度”automobile inspection registration system”), is the name of the vehicle inspection program in Japan for motor vehicles over 250 cc in engine displacement.
The Porsche failed on the exhaust, not sure why but I have now accepted no reasons as an answer in Japan and quickly jumped onto my supplier PELICAN PARTS in Los Angeles. Glenn quickly sorted out all I needed and a box of goodies was soon on its way to Japan. A lazy Saturday afternoon at Harry’s Motors was well worth a video of the transformation.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911E_catalog.htm
UPGRADES
There is nothing more satisfying than tinkering; upgrades certainly qualify as such an activity. Richardson Motors in Auckland is my haven for quality service, not only is Paul a talented mechanic with credible pedigree in the world of motorsport; he is supported by a great team. Time for some engine mount modifications….
An annoying oil leak was traced to the camshaft seal, so with Neesha joining in to ensure it was done by beer time; the leak was a leak no more.
RICHARDSON MOTORS
60 Richardson Road
Mt Albert
09 846 5342
richardsonmotors@xtra.co.nz
GREAT DRIVES: Auckland waterfront.
My daughter Kahli and her friend Cynthia settled into the MACH SR7 and leisurely drove around the iconic Auckland water front. I was the pace car, the Contour GPS HD mounted on the back window we simply enjoyed the entire experience.
Kahli quickly decided she enjoyed the driver’s seat and took me on a series of Auckland Saturday afternoon drives…I think she is addicted!
Here we go again…
CHRISTCHURCH
There is nothing nicer than the crisp clear air of March in New Zealand, this is especially so of Christchurch. I would not be completely honest, if it was not with a little hesitation that I walked across the car park to meet Robert from McGregor Motorsport…was the ground going to rumble and shake? This feeling quickly settled as Robert said we have a car to collect and take back to the factory.
McGregor Motorsport located in Christchurch, New Zealand specializes in maintaining “historic race cars”. These cars can be seen in the SKOPE CLASSIC event, the largest event of it’s type in New Zealand. More than 250 cars take part in this event and McGregor Motorsport is there to offer support and maintenance
GREAT DRIVES : Auckland traffic…yeah right!
There is nothing pretty about peak hour driving in Auckland unless you are following your brother who takes every back street in Auckland. Well it was worth filming a little of the drive to pass the time.
GREAT DRIVES: WAIOEKA GORGE
The Waioeka Gorge is New Zealand’s largest scenic reserve and the winding 37km stretch of the SH2 links Opotiki and Gisborne. It is perhaps, one of my most favorite drives, not a road easily forgotten, one that deserves it’s reputation as a scenic beauty and a real drivers road.
Driving north I switched on my camera, drove within the legal speed limits, remembering that corners marked at 35km’s where recommendations I let the road take me on the journey.
WOOLF MUFFLER INSTALLATION
It was ironic that the muffler snapped and that I returned to a 38 year old custom muffler installation business in Auckland. The original owner, Alan Woolf, established the business and now it’s aptly managed by Jason and the wiz exhaust artist Chris. From the first email on a Sunday evening that was promptly answered, to delivering my car on the AA tow truck, and happily driving out was an enjoyable experience.
Jason and Chris are a team that gives fantastic advice, an excellent install creating a final outstanding product.
WOOLF MUFFLERS
Phone: 09 630 0690 • Fax: 09 638 6106 •
Email: jason@woolfmufflers.co.nz
Cnr Charles St and Dominion Rd,
Mt Eden, Auckland,
New Zealand
PO Box 8738, Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand
GREAT DRIVES: UNTIL THE MUFFLER SNAPPED!
There is always plenty of advice of what tools you should carry in your car for any emergency repairs. Now, the MACH SR7 does not have a large trunk to carry a comprehensive range of tools and certainly nothing to repair a broken muffler? My best tool, well that the plan, was being an AA Plus Member for those unexpected situations that leaves you stranded…
It is almost an unwritten rule that those difficult break downs happen when it is raining, out of cell phone coverage, on a road with minimal traffic and more than 50 kilometers from a garage. When the muffler snapped, I hit all the above and resorted to standing in the rain and flagging down a large truck. The lady driver was incredible, stopping and offered help! Unfortunately all we could find was a bundle of sad looking string and a beaten up hose clip…she then set off to tell the garage I would try and get back to them or could they send out the AA tow truck. The below string sling looked ugly but enabled me to limp back to make a temporary fix.
FINDING A QUALITY SERVICE STATION
This should be a relatively simple task, a garage service station that diagnoses and then upon approval completes repairs in a timely and cost effective procedure. Sadly, this does not happen. We all hear the horror stories of repairs that did not repair, or a simple procedure emptying your wallet. What we do not hear enough is about those service stations that are simply effective, reliable and affordable.
Enter Richardson Motors in Mt Albert, a complete garage service station. Paul, the owner and his team are coincidentally race car enthusiasts with a vast amount of experience from rally cars to track cars as both mechanics and drivers. Their combined experience and expertise meet all my expectations for my MACH SR7. Check the team work through this on the below YouTube for a warrant of fitness and general service of my MACH SR7 by the team, Paul, Neesha and Kevin.
RICHARDSON MOTORS
60 Richardson Road
Mt Albert
09 846 5899
richardsonmotors@xtra.co.nz
