PACKARDS AND PARTNERSHIPS

Hi Todd, Two things: Firstly, a massive thank you and shout-out to the Packard and Pioneer Museum in Maungatapere, Whangarei. When working for Duffy Books in Homes charity in schools up there, weaving life tales, being an Auto Angel car nut — boys think it’s super cool; girls love that we can do anything! — Mr Wolf and I try and visit local car havens where possible. Well, I don’t think the museum in Maungatapere was quite ready for us! Greeted by a polite tour guide informing us of the number of sheds, what we would see, dos, don’ts, and [to] be prepared time-wise as it can take a “couple of hours” getting around … yep, she had no clue who just walked through the door! Haha! Off we went, Shed number one of four, on our very own guided tour — first question of many from Mr Wolf (all-knowing car guru in the history of the universe and love of my life!) — “Is anything in here for sale?” ... my first eyeball stare at him! Moments later, a lovely old chap who attached himself to our little group of two became Mr Wolf’s bestie … it was like that programme watching them both! I even took a photo and I swear the lovely old chap was the mechanic statue once upon a time! Meanwhile, lovely tour guide [with] ‘patience of a saint’ told us of many super interesting stories — from 11 sheep being purchased and the first Packard then bought to transport the flock, to an old war vehicle buried in a riverbed brought back to life as a passenger wagon of sorts! After at least the first hour of being in just the very first bit of shed number one, off to another room/ shed — next question, “Do you do sleepovers?” … I kid you not! This [shed] had the motorbikes, of which our new-found friend was extremely knowledgeable and to which he then took over the tour and shared a thing or two about the makes and models on show! Also, a small side room had the old antique Ericsson telephones that Mr Wolf used to restore to working — he just about cried! More sheds, more laughs, more very serious questions — and the place closed at 4pm … so, at around 4.40pm, our tour guide so patiently led us out the one-way door! … we had arrived just before 12.30pm. It was such a sweet, interesting place! We so loved it! If you haven’t been, go! Find yourself a random, lovely old person to add more fun! I think they have printed off pics of us from cameras in their office to avoid letting us in again! Secondly, we are looking for six classic Fords for our wedding on 18th August at Hampton Downs. It was sorted, then became unsorted, of sorts! Usually I’m putting out an SOS for cars to help with the Kids at Risk leadership graduation dinner run, and now it’s for me! Any leads out in petrolhead land would be greatly appreciated! Facebook — Shelby Wolf!! Great read! NZV8 travels to a zillion schools with me — it’s my fav magazine to read and the kids love it … and try to get their little mitts on it! Shelby Wolf We agree, the Packard and Pioneer Museum is awesome, and a must-visit for any car lover in the upper North Island. We were lucky enough to have a look around before the doors opened to the public, and covered our visit back in Issue No. 78. We have no doubt that you’ll have some fellow Ford-crazed car lovers happy to be part of what we can only assume will be a very blue-blooded wedding. If you’re keen to help a bride out, email editor@v8.co.nz, and we’ll put you in touch. Cheers, Todd