WHY BUILD A LOTUS 7 REPLICA IN NEW ZEALAND WHILE LIVING IN JAPAN?
The answer is simple…because I want to! Actually, this is not as simple as it sounds. This project has been brewing for many years and really came to the surface during Christmas in New Zealand. Grant the younger brother must also take credit for his part in making this happen other than merely having a garage.
We both looked very carefully at the options available in New Zealand and emails for product and price information was the first step. From the three options, we came to a conclusive decision; let us really investigate the McGregor Mach 7 operation in Christchurch. From the first email, the McGregor team exhibited professionalism in product knowledge, technical expertise but the most important factor was their passion.
Japan suddenly seemed a long way from New Zealand but being completely bitten by the need to build a boyhood dream travel plans were drafted to visit the McGregor team. Three years ago stumbling upon rather scratched, tardy, and sad looking 1986 Ruff Porsche 911 was an entry into classic car restoration. This however this was in Japan, at a local garage only 10 minutes drive not 10 hours flying.
What would Christchurch hold in store? The offer of a test drive at the Ruapuna Speedway certainly raised possibility of this happening.