COOL STORY

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: meeting the people behind the cars we feature, and hearing their stories, is one of the best things about being involved with NZV8. Sure, on a basic level, the cars we feature are essentially the same each issue, but the story behind how they came to be, and why the owners chose to build them the way they did is always different. While some stories are obviously better or more involved than others, over the years we’ve had some real gems, and those are the type of story that sticks with you long after you’ve forgotten the specs of the vehicle. From people being given toy cars at a young age and wanting to build the real deal ever since through to inspiration from TV shows or abroad, chance encounters through to amazing finds, we’ve heard countless amazing stories over the years, and never get sick of hearing new ones, each and every time we talk to car owners. Just when we think we’ve heard everything, though, we get overwhelmed again, as was the case when we found out the story behind this month’s cover car. The tale of how the car, which was everything he’d ever dreamed of owning, came to be in the owner’s possession is up there with the best stories we’ve had the privilege of hearing. Of course, the best part is that we get to share that story with you — a story that, like Last issue we ran the first of a two part series looking at the amazing cars of Cuba. While we promised part two of that feature would be in this issue, due to time-sensitive articles taking priority, part two will now appear in our next issue, on sale July 4. Lo siento (I’m sorry). many, you’d never find out about or know to ask about if or when you saw the car at an event. Part of what makes the story behind the amazing machine so great, for us at least, is that the people involved are some of the nicest folk you’ll ever come across. I have no doubt that some people will be jealous when they read the article — in a way, that’s to be expected; after all, simply looking at the car and not knowing what’s gone into the build will have the same effect — but the combination of the completed car, the story, and the people behind the car is one of the greatest we’ve ever come across. In fact, every car featured in this issue has a great story to go with it. From projects on the back-burner getting thrust forward when the reality of just how short life is hits home through to two best mates combining forces to build something they’d never have been able to on their own, an amazing budget build dedicated to a mate taken too soon, and the never-ending need for speed getting well and truly out of hand, there’s a great story behind them all — I hope, as always, that we’ve managed to do them all justice.

Catch you next month, Todd todd@v8.co.nz