Author(s): Stephen Barnett

Automotive

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.