PACKARD 110
Drop Head Convertible Coupe

Manufactured in the 1940s by the Packard Motor Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, USA this wonderful Drop Head Convertible now goes by the affection name of “Connie”. The Convertible Coupes were one of six models released in 1940 as part of a production total of 62,300 vehicles. When she was purchased she went for the seemingly humble price of $1100 USD which in today’s money was about $28,300, truly a gem. 

“Connie” is a six cylinder straight six, 4 litre side valve engine developing 100 brake horsepower at 3,200 RPM. Single barrel down-draft Stromberg carburettor with a three-speed synchromesh column change. 

This car is a rare, factory right hand drive car. It is one of only five brought to Australia in 1940 in knock-down kit form and assembled locally, a differentiating feature being the rear bench seat of the export car as opposed to the fold-up rear seats of the US model. Our earliest knowledge of the car was when it was in the Jack Griffiths collection, Annandale, Victoria. When this collection was dispersed at auction in 1985 it was retained in family ownership until 2011 when it was sold by Belinda Griffiths to Allan Curtis of Victoria. It was imported to New Zealand in February 2018 by Andy Stirling and purchased by John Ellison in October 2019. 

PACKARD 120C SIX
Four Door Sedan

This 1937 Packard Six Series 120C was purchased new by Dr W. L. Donohue, an Auckland obstetrician and gynaecologist. Packard was one of America’s great motoring names, known for prestige, quality and solid engineering. The Six Series formed part of Packard’s successful junior range, introduced during the Depression years to broaden the marque’s appeal while retaining the refinement for which Packard was known.

The Packard Six Series 120C is powered by a side-valve six-cylinder engine of approximately 237 cubic inches, or 3.9 litres. It offered smooth performance, Packard quality and a more accessible price point than the company’s larger senior models. The car remained with the Donohue family for generations and spent around forty years largely unused in a family shed at Kaipara Heads. With approximately 80,000 miles on the odometer, it has survived in remarkably original condition.

The vehicle joined the Art Deco Trust’s vintage car fleet in July 2026 through Life Member and volunteer guide John Ellison, who purchased it so it could become part of the Trust’s tour offering. Preparing the car for regular use was led by Trust guide and vintage car fleet manager Stephen Matthews, with support from Bryan Matthews and mechanic Cris Clarke. The car has had the interior renovated with sound insulation and new upholstery, safety systems like indicators and parking camera.  Considering its age this car is in remarkable condition. Much of the Packard’s original character has been carefully preserved, including its mellowed exterior finish and a surviving Carless Day sticker from New Zealand’s 1979–1980 fuel-saving scheme.

PACKARD 1700 SIX
Four Door Sedan

A rare maroon beauty manufactured in 1939 by The A rare maroon beauty manufactured in 1939 by The Packard Motor Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Packard 1700 six, was one of six models of this line produced in 1939 as part of 24,380 vehicles produced. Initially purchased at $890 USD or in today’s money $16,562. 

Packard was founded by James Ward Packard, his brother William and their partner, George Lewis Weiss, in the city of Warren, Ohio where 400 Packard automobiles were built from 1899 to 1903. 

Packard is a Six Cylinder Straight Six, 4 litre side valve engine developing 100 Brake Horsepower at 3,200 RPM. Single barrel down-draft Tillotson carburettor. Three speed synchromesh column change with overdrive. Weighing in at 1.5 Tonnes. 

PONTIAC Deluxe 6 Series 37-26CA

The 1937 Pontiac “Silver Streak”, manufactured by General Motors, Pontiac, Detroit, USA. Known as “America’s Finest Low-Priced Car” it incorporated many Art Deco features its body was built by Fisher. 

This car was one of a number of knock down kits shipped to New Zealand in 1937 aboard the SS Westmoreland and assembled right hand drive at the General Motors assembly plant in Petone being completed on 29 June 1937 and railed to New Plymouth being sold to Archibald Jupp in Waitara on 24th December 1937. Ownership remained in the Jupp family for 40 years and was then purchased by Neil Brown in Waitara in September 1967. This Six Cylinder Straight Six had only travelled a total of only 53,500 miles in those 40 years. It changed hands several times over the next 30 years in Taranaki and was then sold to an owner in Tauranga before being purchased by John Thompson in Napier in 2004. It was purchased by Tony Mairs in February 2018 to use for Art Deco Heritage Tours. This Pontiac has travelled a total of 125,000 miles and is one of 179,244 constructed in 1937. 

Initially purchased at $780 USD which is the equivalent of $14,118 NZD in 2021.    

PACKARD 1600 SIX
Four Door Sedan

“Pearl” was new in New Zealand on 17th December 1938 the same year she was manufactured by the Packard Motor Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, USA. 

Packard was founded by James Ward Packard, his brother William and their partner, George Lewis Weiss, in the city of Warren, Ohio where 400 Packard automobiles were built from 1899 to 1903. 

The Packard 1600 Six, Four Door Sedan was one of six models of this line produced in 1938 as part of 55718 vehicles produced. Initially purchased for US $890 or in today’s money NZ $16,562. 

A Six Cylinder Straight Six, 4 litre side valve engine developing 100 Brake Horsepower at 3,200 RPM. Single barrel down-draft Tillotson carburettor. Three speed synchromesh floor change and the vehicle weighs in at 1.5 Tonnes. 

The original registered owner of the vehicle is unknown however in early 1939 it was acquired by Jack Gibbs, a nursery man in Dannevirke as the settlement of a debt. The car remained in the Gibbs family until purchased by Tony Mairs in 2018 having travelled only 97,400 miles in 80 years.  

PACKARD 1600 SIX
Four Door Sedan

This Packard 1600 six, was new in New Zealand on 5^th July 1939, the year after it was manufactured by the Packard Motor Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Packard was founded by James Ward Packard, his brother William and their partner, George Lewis Weiss, in the city of Warren, Ohio where 400 Packard automobiles were built from 1899 to 1903. 

The Packard 1600 Six, Four Door Sedan was one of six models of this line produced in 1938 as part of 55718 vehicles produced. Initially purchased for US $890 or in today’s money NZ $16,562. A Six Cylinder Straight Six, 4 litre side valve engine developing 100 Brake Horsepower at 3,200 RPM. Single barrel down-draft Tillotson carburettor. Three speed synchromesh floor change and the vehicle weighs 1.5 Tonnes. 

The early ownership of this car in unknown. It was restored in the late 1990’s by Brian Taylor in Napier and purchased by Graeme Holley as his second tour vehicle for use with Packard Promenades in 2011 and used for Art Deco Tours and weddings. Ownership was undertaken by the Art Deco Trust in in 2013. 

PACKARD 1700 SIX
Four Door Sedan

1939 The Packard Motor Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Packard was founded by James Ward Packard, his brother William and their partner, George Lewis Weiss, in the city of Warren, Ohio where 400 Packard automobiles were built from 1899 to 1903. The Packard 1700 six, was one of six models of this line produced in 1939 as part of 24,380 vehicles produced. When first purchased the car cost US $890 or in today’s money NZ $16,562. 

A Six Cylinder Straight Six, 4 litre side valve engine developing 100 Brake Horsepower at 3,200 RPM. Single barrel down-draft Tillotson carburettor. Three speed synchromesh column change with overdrive and the vehicle weighs in at 1.5 Tonnes.    

The early history of this vehicle is not known. It was originally in the South Island before being bought to Napier. Restored by Dennis Mitchell then purchased by Graeme Holley as his first tour vehicle for Packard Promenades then sold to the Art Deco Trust.