Publisher’s PODIUM

First Impressions

IT’S quite common for many of us to recall the very first time we saw a hot rod and were smitten by its eye-grabbing silhouette and chromed and polished mechanical mayhem. That initial moment of captivation often becoming a catalyst for a lifelong passion for modified cars. In my case, it was back in the early sixties when living on a loose-metal road in blue-collar, west Auckland. Occasionally, while outside playing I’d spy a channelled Model A roadster with flathead V8 hurtling up our street at breakneck speed followed by a rooster tail of dust. It was owned by local Jimmy Aitken who lived half a mile down the road. The sight, sound and speed had me hooked and