Packards coming soon
Wanaka Airport will host a multi-million dollar line up of 50 classic Packard motor vehicles at next year’s Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow.
Ten Packards will be shipped from the United States, for a rally being organised by the Packard Car Club of New Zealand.
The cars will be displayed over the three days of the Easter airshow.
Warbirds Over Wanaka general manager Ed Taylor said there is a strong link between the cars and some of the World War II aircraft displaying at Wanaka.
‘‘During WWII the Packard company made an American version of the famous Rolls Royce Merlin engine to power fighter aircraft and bombers.
‘‘The Packard Merlin V12 engine was fitted to many aircraft types, including the P-40 Kittyhawk and P-51 Mustang.
‘‘A number of these will be flying at Warbirds 2018.
‘‘So we’ll have Packard V12 engines both on the ground and in the air,’’ Taylor said.
The airshow has hosted numerous classic car displays and Taylor said it was fitting for the event’s 30th anniversary to have a world-class collection on display.
‘‘Back in the late 1920s, early 1930s you could buy 20 Model A Ford for what it would cost you for just one Packard.
‘‘The value of the cars on display in Wanaka will run into the many millions of dollars,’’ he said.
The cars coming from the United States belong to members of the Classic Car Club of America.
‘‘You can’t just buy any old Packard and apply to be a member of this club. There are strict entry requirements which means cars in the club are really the best of the best,’’ Taylor said.
The Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow will be held between March 30 and April 1 next year, at the Wanaka Airport.