RobiNZ Personal Blog

It's 2025 and you cannot read Car Magazine U.K. in a web browser

Having read it, paper or digital, since February 1979 (right) I was sad to cancel my Car Magazine U.K digital subscription when they stopped supporting browser reading. You can only read the 'digital print' issues on Apple or Android devices. I am sorry to advise that our digital version cannot be accessed through the website and our app is not compatible with laptops, desktops and/or Kindle devices. I have provided the list of the devices that supports our App. Please see the list below: Apple - iPad and iPhone Android - Sony, Nexus, Samsung, Acer, Asus, LG, Motorola, ZTE, Xiaomi... Read more →

Transport Minister Simeon Brown raises road incident risks

Sent today regarding changes to reverse community consulted speed limit reductions: From: Robin Capper Sent: Tuesday, 1 October 2024 7:08 AM To: Simeon Brown Subject: Regarding speed limits and safety Dear Minister, I live in West Auckland and mostly commute to the CBD, if drive at all, or adjacent suburbs. My average speed over 401.4km (tank brim/brim) driving Auckland suburban/motorway/CBD (West, City, North Shore, Panmure) in a mix of on and off-peak traffic? 34km/h... (1). I'm sure bumping that average up to maybe 36-39km/h, raised limit - traffic/intersection time lost, will be transformative. You demand Local Authorities provide evidence... Read more →

The best GBU mention ever!

Last night I posted this comment (without the image) on a 'The Intercooler' article by Mel Nichols about the history of the iconic Car Magazine Good, Bad, Ugly (GBU) pages: My favourite* GBU line was the 1983 (still have the August issue) 'Sum up' for a Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham d'Elegance: "As flash as a rat with a gold tooth". I loved the GBU, kept a few key Car issues over the years including my first purchased, for a pocket money killing $1.20! The Feb 79 issue had a Fiat 131 Sport on the cover, alongside a RS2000 Escort but who... Read more →

My best car from the 1990s?

Guess, or click the link to see, which one I picked... Surprised they say ~6 left in the U.K., probably that many still in NZ? One, albeit the later 2001 year 155, in my garage. The best cars from the 1990s, but which is your favourite? - Autocar With the 80s having been well and truly plundered for affordable classics, the 90s is next up. Here’s your ultimate guide to the cars to buy now – before their prices soar out of reach... Read more →

A GBU letter to Car Magazine (U.K.)

Sent to the 'letters to Editor' email 2023-12-23: CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK IN A BROWSER THE GOOD: Content, photography looks so good on screen THE BAD: Web layout and user interface. SLOW loading times even on fibre, why do I ever see a spinning load wheel? THE UGLY: Poor reading experience the way pages respond in a browser. PDF magazines from car clubs better emulate reading a high quality publication. THE ONE TO BUY: Yes, but get the pulp format if you don't live on the other side of the planet* * where it often arrived weeks late and (if on a wet... Read more →

The Lancia Delta, Big Car YouTube and me!

Big Car recently released his comprehensive video on the history of the Lancia Delta and I was happy to give a small hand to the production. As a Patreon supporter, I saw an early cut of it and recognised some concept design images he'd used. Back in the 80s, when I was studying Product Design (at what is now Unitec) I used to cycle around the car dealers in Great North Rd and Newmarket to see the new cars (and still do!). When the Delta arrived in their showroom Continental Cars had some books (more than a brochure) about the... Read more →

Recalling a ride in the only Porsche 911 I've ever liked

A post by Swade, asking 'A question from a reader….. Which Porsche 911 should he buy?', had me remembering the only Porsche 911 I've ever liked. For some reason I'm immune to '911 desire'* as they really do nothing for me except for memories of one experience. Back in 1999 I had the fastest auto ride in my life around the Pukekohe track as a passenger in a Lighting Direct Porsche 911 GT Le Mans Turbo with Kiwi race driver Owen Evans driving in 'one arm mode'. Owen's left arm was crushed in a horrific land speed record attempt crash... Read more →

Modern 'cars' aren't safer for those outside them

A mention in David Slack's (brilliant) More than Feilding Substack led me to an opinion piece by Auckland (National) List MP Paul Goldsmith opposing reducing speed limits 'because cars are safer' and he included the Auckland CBD in his argument. I wrote to him... Sent: Saturday, 6 May 2023 16:19 To: [email protected] Subject: Cars are not safer, for pedestrians Hi Paul, Take issue with your 'cars are safer' and citing reducing CBD speed limits in Auckland as an example of poor policing in this recent NZ Herald article: "Auckland Transport has proposed the entire area of the CBD inside... Read more →

Going green: Electric, Hybrid or...?

"Big Car" (currently a Tesla owner) wonders if pure electric cars are a fad and if there is a better answer.... I wonder if the current technology pure electric is transitional but also don't think hybrid is the answer either. If you so rarely need the ICE component just buy an electric and rent an ICE car when you need range rather than carry the complication and mass of a generator? But I also wonder about the ecological impact of scrappage replacing ICE for electric. NZ power is pretty green, ~80% renewable, so if you can grid charge source isn't... Read more →

A Fiat 132!

The first Fiat I drove, back in the late 70s, was a 132. A very rare sight now in New Zealand, anywhere, so had to snap this when I saw one (the white saloon in the background) this morning when I stopped at the pharmacy on the way to work. It was a newer model, but there is no way I'd ever see our family 132 on the road again... Read more →