World of BurgerFuel
Machines
21 Oct 2025

30 YEARS OF MACHINES

As we say “cheers to 30 years”, we look back on the legacy that is our enduring obsession with machines.

#
CULTURE

30 YEARS OF MACHINES @ THE MADHOUSE

30 years is a milestone worth celebrating, especially for a proudly NZ owned and operated burger joint from humble beginnings. And with our birthday-month coming to an end, just like a perfectly executed driveway peel out as you leave a house party, we’re sending it with a VIB Club exclusive giveaway and offer as we gear up to draw the winner of our epic store-wide WIN A MACHINE promo (listen in to Jay and Dunc on The Rock Drive show between 3pm – 7pm when they call up our winner!).

As we say “cheers to 30 years”, we look back on the legacy that is our enduring obsession with machines.

HOW IT STARTED:

Our slightly intense devotion for machines started with a nostalgia for those of the Muscle Car era and was showcased by a beaut 67’ Dodge Monaco, the very first BurgerFuel car in the system. She was a ‘doer-upper’ shipped to the Head Office in NZ from Detroit City and marked the beginning of long list of customised classic promo cars.

As stores opened across the county (and the world), new franchisees were all-in, purchasing and customising their own classics, painting them with a lick of purple, and slapping on the wings – the perfect neighbourhood moving billboard.

NO ORDINARY PAINT JOB

With over 30 vehicles in the system over the years, BurgerFuel machines have become an instantly recognisable part of the streetscape — a moving symbol of the brand that’s left a lasting impression in cities and towns nationwide and is largely thanks to the iconic custom three-tone pearl fadeaway paint job.

Steve Levine is the paint legend behind this trademarked signature look, and the technique and skill required to achieve it is tough to replicate – so much so that some newer variations and wrap options have been introduced in more recent years.

WE GOT A BIT CARRIED AWAY

We doubled down on the theming - from our menu, a tribute to all thing’s machines, to automotive inspired store design - featuring spark plug chandeliers, piston inspired doofer dispensers, vinyl leather seating, and dashboard-dial hang signs. We even transformed a racing car trailer into the optimus prime of food trucks.

But the passion extends beyond aesthetics, fueling our head office ethos, and a long-standing connection with the car community through our BurgerFuel Racing collective in Wellington, machines brand ambassadors like drifter, Connor Halligan, and Girls ‘N’ Gasoline founder, Melissa Hannan, and key event partnerships like Repco Beach Hop.

THE ROAD FROM HERE:

Today, we still have eighteen-odd purple machines in the fleet including three owned by the Head Office. While our first love is machines of the Muscle Car era, we now embrace machines of all kinds – well almost! If it goes fast and is customised, we’ll generally be into it and we’re keen to connect with those who are into it too - from the petrol heads and the machine mad, to the speed freaks and the collectors, to car tuners and gamers… and everyone in between.

Download The VIB CLUB app

Gallery

No items found.

What’s Your Go to?

No items found.

Get exclusive deals on the VIB CLUB app

Get exclusive deals on the
VIB CLUB app