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A Legend Returns

A Legend Returns A Historic Ferrari Monza 750 Joins the 2026 Ayrburn Classic Line-Up – 20-22 February 2026 The Ayrburn Classic, one of the most anticipated motoring events on the New Zealand calendar, is set to take things up a gear in 2026 with a line-up that promises to captivate enthusiasts and the general public alike. Following the success of the inaugural event, the Ayrburn Classic returns with a recently confirmed feature that is nothing short of extraordinary: the historic Ferrari Monza 750 – a masterpiece of motorsport and one of the most significant vehicles to race on New Zealand soil. Legendary status This particular Ferrari Monza 750, which arrived in New Zealand in 1957 and has remained here ever since, holds a legendary status in motorsport history. It competed in the Mille Miglia, Le Mans, and the Targa Florio – the ‘Big Three' of European endurance racing during the golden era of the sport. Few cars can claim such provenance, and even fewer have such a deep and poignant connection to New Zealand's own racing legacy. Tragically, the Ferrari Monza 750 was involved in a fatal accident at Ardmore in 1957, marking the final moments of British driver Ken Wharton, whose last photograph was taken next to this very car. The vehicle has since been meticulously preserved, with images from the aftermath of the crash etched in motorsport history. Today, it stands as a symbol of both the bravery of that era and the enduring beauty of Italian automotive craftsmanship.

A Historic Ferrari Monza 750 Joins the 2026 Ayrburn Classic Line-Up – 20-22 February 2026
The Ayrburn Classic, one of the most anticipated motoring events on the New Zealand calendar, is set to take things up a gear in 2026 with a line-up that promises to captivate enthusiasts and the general public alike. Following the success of the inaugural event, the Ayrburn Classic returns with a recently confirmed feature that is nothing short of extraordinary: the historic Ferrari Monza 750 – a masterpiece of motorsport and one of the most significant vehicles to race on New Zealand soil.

Legendary status
This particular Ferrari Monza 750, which arrived in New Zealand in 1957 and has remained here ever since, holds a legendary status in motorsport history. It competed in the Mille Miglia, Le Mans, and the Targa Florio – the ‘Big Three’ of European endurance racing during the golden era of the sport. Few cars can claim such provenance, and even fewer have such a deep and poignant connection to New Zealand’s own racing legacy.
Tragically, the Ferrari Monza 750 was involved in a fatal accident at Ardmore in 1957, marking the final moments of British driver Ken Wharton, whose last photograph was taken next to this very car. The vehicle has since been meticulously preserved, with images from the aftermath of the crash etched in motorsport history. Today, it stands as a symbol of both the bravery of that era and the enduring beauty of Italian automotive craftsmanship.

Once-in-a-generation opportunity
Incredibly, the Ferrari Monza 750 has not been seen in the South Island since 1967 –  nearly 60 years ago – and has only been publicly displayed a handful of times, all in the North Island. Its appearance at the 2026 Ayrburn Classic is not just a homecoming; it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
This extraordinary Ferrari will be presented within Maranello Magic, a newly introduced display class that will host the largest collection of Ferraris ever assembled in the South Island, created in partnership with the Ferrari Owners Club of New Zealand. For motoring fans, this promises to be a show-stopping centrepiece.

Much more than just a car show
Set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Ayrburn precinct – a reimagined 150-year-old farm estate where heritage meets indulgence – the Ayrburn Classic is more than just a car show. It’s a celebration of style, passion and craftsmanship. With sweeping lawns, historic architecture, world-class gardens, award-winning dining and vibrant bars, Ayrburn offers the perfect stage for a showcase of motoring excellence.

Enter a vehicle:
Car owners are invited to secure their place in the festival, alongside the legendary Ferrari Monza 750. With spaces limited, immediate entry is highly encouraged.
Purchase a ticket:
Tickets to the Ayrburn Classic 2026 are now available. Don’t miss your chance to witness history, revel in Ayrburn’s unmatched atmosphere, and see the Ferrari Monza 750 up close. With single-day, weekend, and family passes available, there’s a suitable option for all. Children under 12 years of age enter for free.

For further information, please contact:
Marketing Manager
Ella James
ella.james@ayrburn.com

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The Shed magazine December/January 2026 issue 124 on sale now

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The Stude-Maker
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“To the man on the street, they became known as bullet noses, and while they proved to be Studebaker’s best-selling model in 1950, those aero-lines did not age so well, and by 1952, the company reverted to a more conventional front end.
Fast forward a couple of decades into another hemisphere, and a one-man Studebaker ‘Next Look’ revival was about to begin, in the workshop of Studebaker devotee and custom-builder, Trev Halstead. This time, though, those vintage lines would take on wild and offbeat shapes.
In Trev’s shed, deep in the heart of dairy country, “Studees” as he calls them, are often completely transformed: chopped and channelled; shortened and sectioned into sleek, sometimes outlandish, jellybean-coloured chariots.
Think Big Daddy Roth cartoons and vintage sci-fi fantasy. He is known for building the shapes he likes, particularly the bullet noses, and creating completely fresh lines without sacrificing Studebaker’s distinctive look. On occasion, Trev has even been known to rebuild them as stock, too.
Whatever the brief or design, every detail is methodically and meticulously crafted by Trev, whose idiosyncratic reputation is legendary in the custom car and hot rod world.

Woodwork: getting started – part one

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Not be too many weeks pass before someone asks me how to get started in woodworking as a hobby. I have had a life-long interest in making or building things but only in the last 20-plus years has my woodworking become dominant. Most people contemplating something in the woodworking area say they have had previous exposure to the craft, but often that was just a brief introduction during their school days.
Perhaps the biggest decision is first to determine that you want to start making something out of wood. Once under way, you will probably move in a particular direction that interests you.
One of the best places to start is at a woodworking hobby class at a local school or polytechnic.

Hammering history

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You can probably count on the fingers of one hand the number of Kiwi women who have become blacksmiths in their 60s. Judy Waterston of Livingstone, inland North Otago, is one of them.
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