Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association Inc

11/06/2026

Time to introduce another new LVV Certifier, Matt Lauder.
Matt is based up the Kapiti Coast (North of Wellington, on the SH1 side), where he certifies from his home automotive fabrication business, Louda Created. He is accompanied by his wife, and two small human beings.
He has spent 15 years in the motor industry, during which time he has built a very wide range of circuit, rally, drift, and road cars.
He has also competed in his self-built drift cars, but has now shifted away from that, to focus on the business. Also to be a pro drifter, you need to put in a solid four hours a day of va**ng and necking energy drinks. That doesn’t leave time for the family, or mountain biking. As you can see from the photos Matt has provided us, he likes some adrenaline. Refer photo credit in the watermarks.
His goal in fabrication work is to help build cars that make the owner happy, and that he and the owner can both be proud of.
Matt has the modification categories 1A, and 1B.

https://lvvta.org.nz/contact.html

https://lvvta.org.nz/documents/suplementary_information/certifier_lists/lvv_certifier_list_website_general_motor_vehicles.pdf

04/06/2026

Dat's unexpectedly cool.

This is another car build that subverted expectations, as the typical hot Datsun out of the 1970’s tends to have a pair of side drafts hanging out the side.

Not this time though, as it’s actually injected with some turbo motivation to go with it, and a Toyota 5sp behind it.

It’s had some Wilwoods added on the front, and a Datsun ute rear axle under the back.

Adjustable struts in the front allow for some fine-tuning, and lowered at the back to get the stance right.

14” wheels running a 185 is enough rubber given that this whole car will weigh about as much as the front seats out of something modern.

Thanks to the owner and certifier for letting us share the photos and details of the car.

17/05/2026

Another American car build with this Chevrolet Apache. Then we can get back to feeding Cody’s rotary addiction again (maybe we can find him a Rotor-Bongo, or do we save that for a Christmas present?).
This is an aggressive combination of looks and performance, with a real Pro Touring look.
The front wheels are a 20x9 with 22x12 out the back. Running a Heidts IFS up front, and Wilwood stoppers at each corner. Adjustable coil overs and a four-link rear are joined by fabricated housing with a Ford 9 inch centre section.
Motivational power isn’t through hopes and prayers, it’s through a 6.2l LSA (that's the supercharged 550+horsepower LS for those who don't follow the General) backed up with a 6 speed Tremec box. Although with the cost of gas these days, there might be a certain amount of hoping for divine intervention when it comes to filling up the gas tank.
Seatbelts and modern lighting added, for a little bit more safety on the road. A digital dash to keep an eye on the vital statistics, and painted underneath to please the eyes.

10/05/2026

McRae Monday.

We spotted this 94 Impreza RA on the desk for certing, and thought it needed a shout out.
Chances are good that a lot of you raced some variation on one of these cars back in the day on the old Gran Turismo games, and that you get a bit of nostalgia seeing them on the road. Then also, chances are that if you were playing the game on a PS1 or PS2, your knees and back aren’t as minty fresh as they used to be. This admin robot definitely used to fang a digital version around tracks, and also definitely makes “ARGH” noises when standing up from a comfy chair.
Adjustable suspension, aftermarket swaybars, some fatter feet (although purists would argue that with rally heritage it should be on a 15” Speedline or Sparco wheel, and running rally tyres), the engine has been taken out over two litres and has a few tickle ups like a Link ECU for extra motivation. Externally though, really the only clues are a frontmount and the wheels.
With the 90’s Japanese car tax, you could probably justify one of these as a part of your retirement portfolio!
Thanks to the certifier and owner, who gave us permission to share this car.

Video link of McRae madness courtesy of Red Bull Rally. They give you wings, we certify wings. Yeah, it's a stretch, but hey, it's Monday...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Hf_RlP6aY

07/05/2026

What the Friday?

This drove past work yesterday. For context, this is an industrial area, and not near to any polo or equestrian facilities.

We strongly suspect that if we tried to fit any driveshaft loops, this would result in a severe kicking.

On a positive note, the grass is going to be thriving in one very specific area. Noise "emissions" were low though.

Can you use a phone like this, while in charge of a horse? It was standing still at the time, but was it in park, or in D just with a foot on the brake?

05/05/2026

Another American car, to soothe the fevered brow of Marty Jones...

This one is about the style rather than the performance.
She’s a mostly stock 1958 Chev Impala, resplendent in the finest American Racing Beige (which is like British Racing Green, but with more freedom eagles).
Mechanical motivation is a smooth not hot 327, into a 2 speed auto, brought to a gradual stop with a drum at each corner. But if you’re testing the limits of the performance on this car, you’re really missing the point, as it’s art on wheels.
Airbag suspension, and a wheel change, along with some new seatbelt anchorages are the reasons for the certification.
Check out the interior and just imagine the temperature those vinyl seats are going to achieve in the height of summer, and the level of danger involved in sitting in there with shorts on!
But then think about propping an elbow on the edge of the door, and cruising. That’s what this build is about.
Thanks to the owner and also the LVV certifier who allowed us to share these photos of this vehicle.

22/04/2026

Since Marty Jones was giving us a hard time on some previous posts for not featuring enough American cars, we’ve got a couple in the pipeline to feature over the next couple of weeks.
First one out of the blocks is this 1932 Ford (actual Ford, not a replica), which if you’re in the ballpark with numbers, would be 94 years old. FB admin robot is assuredly not going to be looking this shiny at age 94…
Some sympathetic modernisation has taken place, with a 351cui engine putting out slightly more power than the original engine, as sub 100hp wouldn’t be ideal on a roading system that features 110kph expressways. Good luck taking a Kei car on an expressway. Doing the slowing down duties, there’s Wilwood brakes front and rear. Giving it less vintage handling, there’s a Rods By Reid LVVTA Type Approved independent front suspension (IFS) on the front axle, and a four bar rear with coilovers. Putting it to the ground is a T Series Toyota diff. On no, wait, it’s a Ford 9in, so that the teeth stay on the cogs. The roof has been chopped to give the car a bit more of an angry look. Admin robot is informed by a very (very) senior member of the Tech Team, that this is called “proper stance”.
The interior has had a good fettle, with modern seats up the front, along with seatbelts being added, and a custom rear seat. More modern lights are in place too, as it wouldn’t be much of a challenge to out-drive the genuine 1932 headlights with a 351.
All of which combine to give a car that can genuinely be used on the road today.

Thanks to the owner and also the LVV certifier who allowed us to share these photos of this vehicle.

20/04/2026

Introducing another recent addition certifier, James McTavish, who is certifying out of Tauranga. James has the 1A, 1B, and EX categories. Modifications outside those categories, talk to James to see if he is able to get category extensions on a case by case basis.
He has had 26 years in the mechanic trade, having done WOF work, general servicing, engine building, right through to restoring classic cars, and custom car fabrication work.

When he’s not wearing his certifier hat, he’s a multi-sport competitor, taking on events such as the Coast to Coast.
In between times, James is in the build stage with an LJ XU1 Torana, with the always popular small block Chev dropped in.

https://www.facebook.com/share/17cuB3HcFv/

https://lvvta.org.nz/contact.html

https://lvvta.org.nz/documents/suplementary_information/certifier_lists/lvv_certifier_list_website_general_motor_vehicles.pdf

16/04/2026

New changes are coming for the warrant of fitness system.

We’re making changes to the warrant of fitness system. On 1 November 2026, these things will change:

• people who buy a new car will need to get their next WoF when the car is 4 years old (it’s currently when the car is 3 years old)
• people with cars between 4–14 years old* will need a WoF every 2 years (it’s currently yearly)
• people with motorcycles registered before 1 January 2000 will need a WoF every year (it’s currently every 6 months).

For a long time we’ve had very frequent vehicle inspections compared to countries overseas. Modern vehicles are significantly safer and more reliable. It’s safer to have less frequent inspections, and this’ll save you time and money.

Cars over 14 years old, and motorcycles registered before 1 January 2000, will move to an annual WoF (up from every 6 months for some vehicles).

If your car has Automatic Emergency Braking or Lane Keep Assist, WoF inspections will now check for warning lights (or malfunction indicators) for these systems.

It’s still your responsibility to maintain your vehicle to the WoF standard between inspections. To reinforce this we’re increasing fines if your vehicle isn’t compliant. From 1 November:

• If you’re driving a vehicle with a WoF that’s expired by more than 2 months, you may be fined $350 (up from $200).
• If you’re driving a vehicle with a wheel or tyre that wouldn’t pass an inspection, you may be fined $350 (up from $150) and up to $1000 (the maximum court-ordered fine).

We’ve made these change following us consulting you for feedback about this towards the end of 2025. Thanks to everyone who shared their feedback with us – we received over 5000 formal submissions, and overall people supported these changes.

Our website has more information about the changes, including a summary and analysis of your feedback to us about these changes: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/changes-to-light-vehicle-inspections

* We’ll be introducing the change for cars between 4–14 years old in phases. From 1 November 2026, cars first registered on or after 1 November 2019 become eligible for WoFs every 2 years. From 1 November 2027, cars first registered from 1 November 2013 to 31 October 2019 become eligible.

08/04/2026

Introducing a recent-ish 2023 addition to the LVV certifier list, Vijay Dheda of Taupo, who has 1A, 1B, EX and is now eligible to get some category extensions for 1C,1D,3A. Contact Vijay to discuss case by case category extensions and how this may work for you.

He grew up in his dad’s panel and paint shop (and presumably in the actual family home too), then moved into manufacturing and engineering. Vijay has been building cars for coming up on 20 years and owns his business Munky Metal Worx with his wife Jasmine. For the certification side of the business, he is trading as VJD Certs.

Another petrolhead certifier, with a lot of involvement with Taupo Car Club, both as a competitor, and an event official. The whole family has become involved with MotorSport NZ events too, his two older children are now involved & competing too.

Vijay has quite the older Toyota collection, including an AE82 converted to be rear drive.

So if you’re looking for cert work in and around the Taupo area, touch base with Vijay.

https://lvvta.org.nz/contact.html

https://lvvta.org.nz/documents/suplementary_information/certifier_lists/lvv_certifier_list_website_general_motor_vehicles.pdf