1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu custom build by Real Rides
1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100 custom build by Real Rides
1974 Ford Falcon GT351 custom build by Real Rides
1974 Holden Torana
1964 Chevy Nova
1967 Ford Anglia
1967 Chevy Camaro
1955 Chevy Bel Air

one-of-a-kind street machines

Whether you're chasing the muscle car you've always dreamed of, planning an upgrade, or tackling a project already underway, we're here to help make it happen.

You bring the dream. We'll help figure out the path.

1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100 custom build by Real Rides
Chrome Showcase 2026

Top 10 Mothers Choice

1969 Chevy Chevelle Malibu
KUMEU CLASSIC CAR & HOT ROD FESTIVAL 2026

mothers shine

1964 Chevy Nova
KUMEU CLASSIC CAR & HOT ROD FESTIVAL 2026

best street machine

1981 Chevy Camaro Custom build by Real Rides
Chrome Showcase 2025

Top 10 Mothers Choice

Real Rides team member working on a vehicle
Real Rides team member working on a vehicle
est. 2006

The real rides story

What started as a one-man panel and paint shop in a small block garage has grown into one of New Zealand's leading specialist workshops, bringing ambitious muscle car builds and custom projects to life. 

Along the way, Real Rides has earned multiple industry awards, including the internationally recognised Mothers Shine Award.

After 20 years in business, we've built our reputation on honest advice, quality craftsmanship and a commitment to continually evolving with the industry. 

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dreams made real

Read the stories behind some of our most popular builds

1981 Chevy Camaro Custom build by Real Rides

Michael's camaro

READ THE STORY

JOHN'S KILA '69

READ THE STORY
1967 Ford Anglia

kris's anglia

READ THE STORY

Patch's apache

READ THE STORY
1964 Chrysler Imperial Black Beauty

big ideas. practical solutions

Got an ambitious idea or a project that seems complicated? We'll help you work out what's possible and find a way to get it on the road.

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FROM VISION TO FIRST DRIVE

Every great build starts somewhere. No matter where your project is today, we'll help guide it through every stage of the journey.

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THE BUILD JOURNEY - FROM VISION TO FIRST DRIVE

1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100
1. VISION

We help shape your vision.

1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100 schematic
2. PLAN

Together, we develop a clear roadmap, budget and build strategy.

1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100
3. BUILD

Every stage completed is documented and shared with you along the way.

1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100
4. COMPLIANCE

Engineered and independently certified to meet all required standards.

1959 Chevrolet Apache 3100
5. AFTER CARE

Ongoing support, advice and fine-tuning to keep your vehicle performing at its best.

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what our customers Say
I wouldn’t change a thing on the truck. The workmanship, drivability and overall finish surpassed all my expectations. Outstanding.
— Patch
Awesome team and excellent turn around time. Stoked with the work they have carried out for me, cheers guys.
— Dylan S
I can’t speak more highly of Kayton & his team. He took full charge of the job and was the one that got it over the line through certification and finally road legal after all these years.
— Grant
I’m not sure who’s more excited to get a ride Matt or Me! Thank you we are over the moon! You’ve done an amazing job.
— Lisa & Matt
As one of the owners I would like to say thank you to Kayton and the whole team at Real Rides (especially Larry, Rob, Kevin, Shanan) for the amazing result we got with this. I don't believe the standard of the workmanship and finishing on it would be better anywhere in NZ. The only thing left to do is drive it now.
— Dave
Kayton, you and the team have done an epic job on "Old Bertha". It's great to have her back!
— Michael P
Thanks guys, this has turned out amazing, can’t wait to clock up some kms.
— Ricky
Thanks Kayton and team, you guys are ace and awesome to work with. Delivered everything and a ride I’m going to enjoy
— Chris V
Awesome job Kayton. Lots of great comments already.
— Patrick
We are pretty stoked with how it is looking. You and everyone in the team who has worked on it have done a great job to get it to this point. From what it was like when it went to Real Rides to how it is now is fantastic.
— Dave G
You guys nailed it exactly the look Mum wanted for her V8 Prefect
— Nick
Had my Torana in for some work recently and LS swap. Great team. Professional advice. Happy as.
— Tim & Ali
Thanks guys for all your time & effort that you put in on our Torana. It has more than exceeded our expectations. It looks amazing!
— Justin & Kelly
Fantastic work again, third vehicle over the years to get custom work done by Kayton and the Real Rides team. One stop shop, motor, suspension, panel and paint.
— Patch
Absolutely stoked with our VW Fastback restoration. Every step from collection to strip down, media blasting, repair, fabrication, panel, paint and rebuild. Clear detailed invoicing, no surprises. No hesitation in recommending Kayton and the Team. Thanks guys, top job.
— Steve
Great service and an eye for detail. Well worth taking your car there for a first class job.
— Chris W

CURRENT PROJECTS

An XJ12 Gets a Rear Half Rebuild

An XJ12 Gets a Rear Half Rebuild

While we don't usually work on Jags, this one kinda fitted the bill. Apart from some rust repairs and external engine modifications, we were given a set of 17 x...
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A Rambler Rebel Rebuild

A Rambler Rebel Rebuild

One of our newest cars to get some treatment is Brett's '71 Rambler. Only 100 of these were built in NZ back in '71 so Brett has decided to make...
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1960s C2 Corvette restomod New Zealand

C2 'Vette gets Modernised

I Love a C2 'Vette and this one is going to be extra cool! We replaced the 4-speed with a new TKX Tremec 5-speed, added air conditioning to the EFI...
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