On Saturday, the 79-year-old was in his Morris Minor taking on the Waimate Pharmacy Hillclimb and the Van Leeuwen Dairy Group Bentsprint as part of the greater Waimate 50, a motorsport festival that runs from October 15 to 23.
He started competing in the annual event on its second or third occurrence and has worked hard since to get to as many meetings as he can.
The Waimate 50 website says the event began in 1959, with the inaugural street race held on January 31.
Racing was a big part of his life, Mr Taylor said, along with his two surviving children and six grandchildren.
The Dunedin-born racer has held a race licence since he was about 18 and said the excitement of racing kept him involved in the sport.
"Just the thrill of it and making the car work for you, and trying different things to get the car to respond faster.
"Motor racing is always evolving."
He was a strong believer in allowing classic cars to run in events, but to also try to push the limits by doing things other drivers might not think appropriate.
"I used to race a Ford V8 with a side valve.
"Everyone used to laugh at me, but ... it was quick.
"One day somebody decided to turn right [into me].
"He took me to the fence. I rolled about six times. The car was taken out.
"I’d love to see more history with older cars competing. There’s so many vintage racers staying in sheds not getting much action because MotorSport New Zealand is so safety-conscious."
Despite that, he loved the competitive atmosphere and camaraderie at race meetings.
