Re: If you are under sixty, how did you get interested in Packards?

Posted by Mathew Rattray On 2013/5/9 22:42:48

My Packard obsession began when I was 16, 8 years ago. I am now 24, I always wanted an old car, I was looking at Fords, Chev, Pontiacs etc, and one day came across a Packard in a magazine and said to myself "Wow A Packard... Thats what I want" I got in touch with the Packard Club of Australia and a member came out to visit me and showed me photos of Packards and gave me information on the cars. A few months later I say a Packard advertised for sale only 30 mins from where I lived so I persuaded my parents to take me to go look at it. It was a 1934 Packard 1100 Sedan. It was out of my price range but I wanted to see a Packard in real life. Once I saw the car I fell in love with it and over the next few months I negotiated with the seller and my mother and we finally reached an agreement. At the time I didn't have my license so my dad drove it home. It was an amazing experience. A few months passed and I eventually got my learners driving permit. The first manual I ever drove was the 1934 Packard, I had a few acres so learnt to drive the car around the property. (People used to call it an expensive paddock basher) Since getting my full license I have done over 10,000 miles in that Packard.

I was told that when you start getting into the car hobby you will end up with more than one car. I thought no, ill just have the one... Well, i did for a few years. I went for a ride in a 1956 400 and could not believe how comfortable and easy it looked to drive. So that was it I was out looking for a 'modern' Packard. I came across a 1955 Packard Caribbean on Ebay and ended up winning the auction. So now I have 2 Packards... (& no money left) I became quite involved in the Australian Packard Club, and have had the opportunity to build the Australian club website, and regually enjoy going on runs and rallies. I can say Packards are defiantly now in my blood, and will always be. With the Caribbean re-re-restoration almost complete I am looking forward to enjoying that car. So thats the story of how I got involved with Packards

Cheers,
Mathew.