PETROLHEAD: Times motoring correspondent Alistair Davidson with his newly released book. Photo supplied.

This 160 page, full-colour collectable is published by Hachette NZ and edited by Alistair Davidson, who’s been the Howick & Pakuranga Times’ motoring correspondent for 20 years.

“I guess you could say that I have an automotive dark side,” jokes Davidson. “When my motoring writer colleagues were discussing the latest advancements in fuel efficiency, I was thinking about modifying my V8 powered 1936 Ford hot rod.

“I’ve only owned American cars. My dad wanted me to buy a Triumph Herald as my first car; instead I rolled up in a 1964 Ford Fairlane.”

Davidson adds that he spent the money he and his wife saved for a kitchen on a big-block V8 muscle car: “I’m amazed that Sharron and I are still married”.

Putting Kiwi Americars We Love together was a dream come true for this long-time Beachlands resident.

“What’s really cool is that every car featured is owned and driven by enthusiasts right here in New Zealand, including some from the Howick and Pakuranga area,” explains Davidson.”

Kiwi Americars We Love is packed full of stunning classics of the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, from the excessive tailfins of the 1959 Cadillac to the incredibly potent 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS. Each vehicle is presented over four pages and the book also includes coverage of major local events such as the Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival in Kumeu, Beach Hop, Americarna, and Muscle Car Madness in Christchurch.

Feature writing and photography are by names you’ll recognise from the pages of NZ Petrolhead and NZ Rodder magazines: Debbie Jarvis, Craig ‘Style’ Counsell and Mal Bain.