We Had One of Those! celebrates New
Zealand’s golden age of motoring, from the 1950s through to the 1970s, with a
selection of cars that Kiwis loved and drove during that period. Although these
cars are no longer common on New Zealand roads and are rarely seen, they are still
held in fond regard. This book is literally a nostalgic drive down memory lane.
The selection of 36 cars is illustrated using the evocative artwork of
sales brochures of the times.
Accompanying the brochure artwork are texts for each car that mix
technical descriptions with social history and nostalgia. These are cars that
we, or our parents and grandparents owned, cars with a gloriously wide-ranging diversity of design and mechanics – and
idiosyncrasies. Many of which became icons of New Zealand popular culture, such
as the Mk II Ford Zephyr.
The book showcases British marques and models such as Vanguards,
Vauxhalls, Hillmans, Cortinas and Minis; occasional ‘Yank tanks’ such as Chev
Impalas and Ramblers; the Holden, of course; the odd uniquely Kiwi concept such as the Trekka; and a touch of European exotic
and luxury in the form of the Jag E-type and Fiat 850 Coupe.
We Had One of Those!,
like the cars it features, is a classic and will proudly sit on the coffee
table of car, design or nostalgia enthusiasts.
Author Stephen Barnett is a writer and editor with an enthusiasm
for old vehicles. He has attempted, usually successfully, to keep on the road a
variety of Minis, Ford Specials, vintage cars and motorcycles. Stephen spent many years in New Zealand book publishing,
editing and commissioning books and is himself the author of more than 25
titles published in the UK, Australia,
Germany, as well as New Zealand, mainly on social history and popular
culture. His titles include NZ! NZ! In Praise of Kiwiana, At the Beach and
A Picture Book of Old Auckland. Stephen also works in television, most recently with the documentary series Making New
Zealand. He lives in Auckland where he works part-time as a newspaper
subeditor.
RRP$49.99 - Potton & Burton
Hardback PLC with jacketISBN: 9780947503116
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