Real Rides LTD

THAT’S A WRAP ON CHROME SHOWCASE 2026!

What a weekend!
We took three very different Real Rides builds to Chrome Showcase: ’64 Imperial on our stand, with Patch’s Apache and Shane’s Nova representing us in Elite50.

We’re stoked to come away with a Top 10 Mothers Choice Award for Patch’s Apache.

It’s been a pretty good run for this truck lately — cover truck and feature for NZV8, and New Zealand Hot Rod Magazine, Top Five at Beach Hop, People’s Choice at our 20th Anniversary Event and now a Top 10 at Chrome Showcase!

A massive thanks to everyone who came along, checked out the cars and stopped by the stand. And a huge thanks to our staff, customers, friends and everyone who helped make the weekend happen.

Getting everything ready was a huge effort, but it was great to see it all come together.

And thanks to the Chrome Showcase organisers for putting on a seriously impressive show.

Here’s a look back at the weekend.

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Congratulations Barbara Ludlow - you’ve won a double pass to Chrome Showcase 2026!

Thanks to everyone who entered and told us about their favourite Real Rides build.

We’ll see you at Chrome Showcase, 3–4 October at Auckland Showgrounds.

Come and check out Patch’s Apache and Shane’s Nova in Elite50, plus the Black Beauty replica ’64 Imperial on the Real Rides stand.
See you there!

WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO CHROME SHOWCASE 2026!

We’re taking some of our biggest builds to Chrome Showcase 2026 - including Patch’s Apache and Shane’s Nova, both on display in the Elite50 showcase.

And on the Real Rides stand, you’ll get to see the Black Beauty replica ’64 Imperial up close - complete with hood-mounted machine guns, stinger missiles and all the other weapons and gadgets that make this car so wild. Yep, we even figured out how to get this machine road legal in New Zealand!

Now’s your chance to win a double pass and come see them for yourself.

What’s your all-time favourite Real Rides build?
Tell us in the comments for your chance to win.

📅 3–4 October
📍 Auckland Showgrounds

The lucky winner will be drawn next Wednesday 30 September - and announced on Facebook.

ChromeNZ

20 YEARS OF REAL RIDES part 2.
The cars...

20 YEARS OF REAL RIDES — WHAT A DAY!

Well… that was one hell of a way to celebrate 20 years!

40+ Real Rides cars and more than 300 people came through the workshop on Sunday, filling three car parks and making the place absolutely hum.

At around 11:15am, the final car pulled into car park - it was so cool to see all these great cars we have done so much work on, all in one place!

And that's exactly what the day was about.

From Patch's '59 Apache — fresh from the cover of NZV8 — to Mark Painton's rare HEMI-powered '68 Charger, John's '66 and '69 Chevelles, Darren's '70 Cuda, Kris's Anglia, Michael's Camaro and the Green Hornet, it was pretty special seeing so many Real Rides cars back at the workshop.

Some had been full builds. Others had been through the shop for paint or other work over the years — including cars painted here 15 or even 16 years ago.

We had customers travelling from Tauranga, Cambridge and as far away as Arrowtown to be part of it.

There was live music from Uncle Lex, Michelle Greaves & family, Big D BBQ, Lisa-Jane Coffee, Grow & Brew, plenty of car talk and a whole lot of catching up.

And of course, our People's Choice Award:
1st — Patch's '59 Apache
2nd — John's '69 Chevelle, just ONE vote behind!
3rd - Mark's '68 Charger

Most importantly, people stayed, caught up, wandered around the workshop and enjoyed the day. It was exactly the kind of reunion we'd hoped for.

A massive thank you to everyone who brought a car, came along and helped make the day happen — especially our friends and family who pitched in behind the scenes. We couldn't have done it without you.

Here's to the next 20.

Seen Patch’s Apache on the cover of NZV8?

Now come see it for real at the Prewar Chrome Showcase 2026!

Patch’s Apache will be there alongside Shane’s Nova — both built right here at Real Rides.

Only a few weeks to go!

Chrome Show 2026
3–4 October
Auckland Show Grounds
Tickets are on sale now. See you there!

Check out Patch's Apache in the latest NZV8 Magazine

This 68 Charger came in from sunny California and the nice guys over there had deleted the wiper setup including the vents and holes, so some new sheet metal was purchased and we have put it right for our lovely NZ rainy weather. All part of the simple job of LVV and compliance here in NZ.

Graham's Dodge Ram van had a tired 318 and was struggling to get up hills.

A quick repower was needed, with a fresh built 318 built by Prescott Engines with Edelbrock heads and custom cam, a strip, clean and paint of the front suspension and a new exhaust built to suit the new headers - all in a quick 2 week turnaround!

You'll see this old van passing you sometime soon!

Mark's 66 Impala wagon is getting some serious upgrades. The underbody is off for blasting and the chassis will get fresh powder coat finish before all the new suspension and running gear gets fitted