A customized 1957 Chevrolet 2100 in metallic bronze-brown with a black roof, chrome custom wheels, and an exposed supercharger, parked in front of a garage.

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.

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 muscle car restoration and custom build workshops.

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.

dreams made real

Read the stories behind some of our most popular builds

Michael's camaro

JOHN'S KILA '69

kris's anglia

Patch's apache

big ideas. practical solutions

Big ideas often come with big questions. Can it be built? Will it be road legal? What's the best way to approach it?

We can help you turn ambitious ideas into road-going reality with our decades of experience in custom built and certification requirements.

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.

THE BUILD JOURNEY - FROM VISION TO FIRST DRIVE

1. VISION

We help shape your vision.

2. PLAN

A clear roadmap, budget and build strategy is formed together.

3. BUILD

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

4. COMPLIANCE

Engineered and certified to meet all required standards.

5. AFTER CARE

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

what our customers Say
A massive shoutout to Kayton and the team at Real Rides for getting my 4th vehicle finished in time for Beachhop. The whole build process was impressive to say the least.
— Patch
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 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 LTD to how it us 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