You would never dream that behind a nondescript roller door in Pollen Street, Grey Lynn lies a glamorous showroom alongside several action-packed workshops. This is the home of International Performance Classics (IPC).
IPC is a division of International Motorsport Group (IMS), best known as a professional motorsport team, however after decades of building high performance race cars from the ground up, the IPC division offers classic car connoisseurs the opportunity to purchase a few of the much -admired classic vehicles from the past, in a “New to You” or “off the showroom floor condition”.
These vehicles are not restored original classics worth a kings ransom but perfectly orchestrated visual replicas with levels of luxury and performance never imagined in the original cars.
These vehicles are all bespoke builds from new parts, built to your personal tastes and requirements and can be spec’ed with high performance engines with fuel injection and turbo or super charging to braking systems with ABS and modern electric power steering, functional air conditioning, power windows and active safety systems like traction control and paddle shifted transmissions thru to custom leather interiors with modern style seating and amazing in car entertainment (ICE) systems to enhance the driving experience.
With their expertise shaped by their success in motorsport and their meticulous eye for detail, the custom car division International Performance Classics (IPC) can take any customer’s vision and turn it into awe-inspiring reality.
‘What Lyall Williamson doesn’t know about cars is not worth knowing.’
Lyall Williamson, founder and managing director of International Motorsport is a man of few words, but ask him about his family business and you can’t help but be swept up in the pride and passion in his voice.
While reaching 50 years in the business is a milestone he is extremely proud of, what currently excites him is their evolution into retailing classic cars alongside their custom builds.
Their growing collection of classic cars and the increasing demand for them, have prompted the Williamson family to include a retail sales arm. ‘We appreciate that classic car owners are a discerning and passionate group of people, but not everyone is in a position to build their own car, so retailing classics is a great way of making them available to a wider market,’ Williamson says.
Son and general manager Nick says they are well-placed to focus on selling classic cars alongside their own bodywork shop IMS Panel & Paint. IMS is known for their rigorous pursuit of perfection when it comes to bespoke, restoration and repair work.
‘We are able to repair the common steel panel as well as aluminium and plastic, which means we can assist people with their own restoration projects as well as our custom builds.’
‘And of course at IMS Panel and Paint we offer services from small touch-ups to complete repaints and smash repairs,’ he adds.
Nick also added ‘We are looking at developing a hands-on seminar on ‘How to Care for your Classic’. So often we are contacted for advice around repairs, servicing and cosmetic maintenance of classic cars; it makes sense for us to share our knowledge and help people keep them in top condition in between services.’