Restoration Video

The Restoration Story

In November 2024, a Crown limousine, the BMW 730LD, made headlines after a collision in Wellington. The vehicle was chauffeuring Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis when it was struck from behind by a police escort car on Cobham Drive. Neither minister was injured, but the limousine sustained heavy rear damage and was deregistered soon after. For many, that seemed to be the end of its journey. Instead, the car has been given a remarkable second life. What could have been a forgotten piece of New Zealand’s political transport history became the centre of a meticulous rebuild that tested patience, skill and determination. Restoring the BMW highlighted some of the wider challenges in New Zealand’s auto repair industry. Specialist parts are difficult to source and often must be imported, with delays that can stretch for months. This forces workshops to rely on costly local dealerships and wreckers. The sector also faces a shortage of highly skilled tradespeople, from panel beaters and painters to auto electricians, which makes complex restorations even harder to complete. On top of that, New Zealand’s compliance requirements are among the strictest in the world, meaning that returning a deregistered car to the road is as much about regulatory knowledge as it is about technical precision. For this project, the team began with a full structural assessment and 3D chassis measurement, before replacing the rear panel, seam sealing, refinishing the bodywork and carefully reassembling the limousine, from cameras and electronics to lighting and interior fittings. The final step was passing New Zealand’s rigorous compliance process to ensure the vehicle was road ready. Behind the rebuild was Toivra, whose focus on sustainable practice guided the work. By restoring rather than replacing, the project avoided the environmental cost of manufacturing a new vehicle. In total, the rebuild is estimated to have saved 540 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, more than 2,200 kilowatt hours of energy, over two cubic metres of water and more than one kilogram of harmful emissions.

Restoration Video

The Restoration Story

This 2017 BMW 750i began its journey as an accident-damaged vehicle with significant frontal damage. Rather than simply repairing it back to its original appearance, the project was approached as an opportunity to give this luxury sedan a completely refreshed look. The vehicle underwent a comprehensive restoration of the damaged front end, followed by an exterior transformation inspired by the newer BMW 7 Series design. A 2022-style external body kit was fitted, giving the 750i a more modern, aggressive and distinctive appearance while retaining the character of the original vehicle. The restoration involved careful assessment of the frontal damage, sourcing and fitting the required replacement components, repairing the affected areas and completing the exterior transformation. Particular attention was given to the fitment and finish of the body kit to create a cohesive factory-inspired appearance. What started as a damaged 2017 BMW 750i was transformed into a refreshed and modern-looking luxury vehicle, combining the performance and refinement of the 750i with the visual appeal of a much newer BMW. This project is a reflection of Toivra Automotive's approach to vehicle restoration: restore what can be restored, upgrade where it adds value, and give every vehicle a new story.