STREETS AHEAD

Hi guys, Love the magazine, but would like to say that the only true street car on ‘NZ’s Quickest Streeters’ is Ray Peterson’s 1970 Ford Mustang. No other car would roll out of a garage with a true New Zealand warrant, so big respect to Ray. Jermaine Hearn via Facebook Like you, we love Ray’s car. Hell, he was even nice enough to let us drive it during our photo shoot, and it is an amazingly well-mannered car for the performance it offers. However, we must disagree about it being the only street-legal car. For any vehicle to get onto the list, we ensure that it has a current WOF, registration, and, more importantly, a LVV certification plate that matches the car’s current componentry. While obviously we can’t control whether anyone changes things on their vehicles, we do keep an eye on it, and have called drivers out to prove their vehicles are legal; in every instance to date, they have been. If you’re of the mindset that nothing protruding through the bonnet is legal, it may pay for you to take a look at The New Zealand Car Construction Manual, where you’ll find guidelines and restrictions relating to what is and isn’t acceptable. Keep in mind that Ray’s car isn’t the only allunder-bonnet small-tyre car — even Chris Green’s eight-second rotary-powered wagon falls into that category. That’s not to mention cars like Mike Bari’s Chevelle, Dave Moyle’s ute, Tony Gera’s Mustang, Kat McDonald’s Chrysler, and Ian McKay’s Mazda — all very simple, and totally legal vehicles, no questions asked. The best part about the list is that it’s become self-policing, with drivers on it wanting to make sure that no one can call them out for not being 100-per-cent legal, so they’re all ensuring that no corners are cut — this month’s cover car included. Cheers Todd