Tell us about your Mustangs?
I have a classic Mustang and a modern Mustang. One is a 1967 Mustang Notchback left-hand drive, that is candy-apple red and an automatic. It is like part of my family as we have had it for over 20 years. It was yellow and is being painted back to the original factory red colour.
This Mustang has a 289-cubic-inch V8, and shakes the house when you start it up. It‘s such a cool car to go for a cruise in on a fine Sunday, but not the sort of car you want to drive in the rain (the demister is useless) or traffic (it would overheat).
My second Mustang is a 2010 Shelby GT500 left-hand drive, that has a 5.4-litre supercharged V8. I imported it from the United States six years ago. It has 540bhp (402kW) and is a six-speed manual. It is crazy powerful and goes from 0-100 km/h in about four seconds.
Why two?
With the 1967 Mustang it is nice to be able to respect a car that is 50 years old, and people come up and talk to you about the car. Having the Shelby Mustang is great as it’s interesting to compare just how much cars have evolved, and it is just plain fun to drive.
Favourite Mustang?
A 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback, one cool car.
Who else drives your Mustangs?
My wife Janne.
What do you always keep in your Mustangs?
My iPhone to listen to 80s rock.
How often do you clean them?
They are my two extra children, so they get cleaned a lot and are always tidy.
Any other vehicles?
A twin turbo Subaru Legacy, a VW Golf GTI, a Ford Escape (anything with a turbo) and a race kart.
First car?
A Ford Cortina. I guess that made me a Ford guy.
Your dream car?
I am greedy as I have two dream cars, a 1967 Shelby GT500, and a Bugatti Chiron — one of the fastest cars in the world.
Favourite car colour?
Red, they go faster.
Who taught you to drive?
My mum taught me to drive around Tawa in Wellington the day I turned 15. She was a fantastic teacher, patient, and didn’t complain when I nearly wiped cars out or bounced down the road.
Any advice for young drivers?
Be sensible, you have only one life.
Most memorable road trip?
Family trip down the east coast of the South Island and back up the West Coast. We often forget we live in one of the most beautiful countries, and don’t need to fly halfway round the world to have an amazing experience.
If you could go anywhere with any celebrity?
A road trip round Italy, in a Ferrari, with Jeremy Clarkson would be great fun.
Favourite movie car scene?
Gone in 60 Seconds, Eleanor Mustang car chase ... so, so good.
Strangest thing you’ve done in a vehicle?
Being in one of those AquaDucks in Rotorua. They used to transport soldiers from ships to the beach in WWII. It feels weird being in a vehicle that can drive into the sea and turn into a boat.
Owning two Mustangs, how do you avoid speeding tickets?
I don’t drive the Mustangs too much, and I have a good radar detector. I drive my race kart at the race track, so I behave on the road.
Great day trip out of Wellington?
It is great fun to travel over the Rimutaka Hill to Martinborough or Greytown.
Do you judge people by what they drive?
I probably shouldn’t say yes, but cars say so much about people’s personalities.