The 18th Australian National Packard Rally got underway today, 1st April, at Warrnambool, Victoria.

Participants had gathered yesterday, Sunday 31st March, at the Lady Bay Resort with the first activity being a run today to Portland, Victoria about 100kms west from Warrnambool.

At Portland our main focus was a visit to the Portland Cable Tram Museum and a ride of about 7.8kms on one of the tram sets.

The rest of the day was free time but, with plenty of attractions in and around Portland, there was something for everyone. I focused on visiting the Portland Powerhouse Motor and Car Museum spending about an 1&1/2 hours in a fairly small museum which also doubles as the "clubhouse" for the local car club.

Posting a few photos of some of the Packards that went on the run today.

Note - Click on photos for a bigger, better image.

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Nice looking gathering, Mal.

Day 2 was a run to Port Fairy for lunch after travelling via Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. While most of the later afternoon was taken up with "Business", ie the Annual General Meeting and others.

Note - Click on photos for a bigger, better image.

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A skyblue wooden-spoked Packard Ute convertible in excellent condition, equipped with electrohydraulical crane and tail-gate lift (?) is comparatively rare.
When looking to the stainless piano lacquer of the running boards, then I suspect that its owners enter into the car by help of the crane jib.
Mal, thanks for the pics and enjoy the rally. I look forward to see the one or another snapshot, taken at the Portland Powerhouse Motor and Car Museum too.

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Hi Mal

Great turnout of Packards, looks like a fine time. Thanks for the photos. I see a '36 LaSalle came along too.

Steve

what is the story behind and/or purpose of the truck with all the modern bits on it?

Taken from Bob's commentary in the Rally book, here's the story about the Ute.

"It is a genuine Packard 443 - mechanically as original s they came - but we decided the 'uting' treatment given to it many years ago would be useful for lugging gearboxes and engines around and so we elected to maintain that old modification and to make our new ute."

The comentary further goes on to say: "The tailgate is a product of our company Maxilift and we will use this as a showpiece at major exhibitions of material handling equipment."

I understand that the '1928 443 Convertible Coupe Ute' could be de-uted and returned to it's original configuration.

Attached are some further photos of it at our Concours a couple of days ago. Been meaning to update here on a day-to-day basis. While my best intentions have gone astray, will catch up soon.

Note - Click on photos for a bigger, better image.

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Love the ute, and good to see it continues to earn its keep!

Brian

Quote:

Now I get it.



Mal, thanks.

On the way home from the rally, sitting in a motel room at Glenrowan also known for being the last stand of Australia's most notorious bushranger(outlaw).

Some photos from Day 3, the small Concours in the morning, which was spoiled by light rain.Then Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in the afternoon followed by dinner and a wonderful sound and light show in the grounds of the museum after dark.

The photos of the early tourer are of a local Packard, unknown to the club, which turned up on the day and was invited to participate in the display but wasn't judged.

Note - Click on photos for a bigger, better image.

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