A PACKARD REBORN Searching for a Yarrow family legacy BY ALYN EDWARDS
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HRISTOPHER YARROW’S family history is deeply entwined with a grand, pale yellow car — a 1930 Packard phaeton that disappeared from his family, only to come back nearly half a century later. A descendent of one of Victoria’s most famous industrialists, Christopher knew it was his destiny to find his grandfather’s car and restore it to its former glory. Christopher has read all the books on his family history detailing the shipbuilding accomplishments of his great grandfather and grandfather. One hundred years ago, his grandfather, Norman Alfred Yarrow, was sent to Victoria by his father, Sir Alfred Yarrow, an English marine engineer who had become a shipbuilding magnate. Young Norman, also a marine engineer, was to take over an existing shipyard in Esquimalt. In 1912, with the backing of his father, he expanded the shipyard. During the Second World War, Yarrows Shipyard employed more than 4,000 people.
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Clockwise from top: Norman Yarrow in his 1930 Packard 740 convertible phaeton; King George VI and Queen Elizabeth ride in the Packard in Victoria during the 1939 royal tour; Norman Yarrow’s daughters Cynthia, 10, at the wheel, and Veryan, 6, in the back seat. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER YARROW
In 1930, Norman saw a new Packard 740 four-door convertible phaeton at Victoria’s Plimley Motors. The top-line luxury car had a pale yellow body with black fenders, a black leather interior and a special tonneau windshield to protect rear passengers. A close relative who accompanied Norman to the dealership told Christopher that, when his grandfather inquired about the fuel economy the massive car would deliver, a condescending salesman replied: “Sir, if you have to ask, you likely can’t afford it.”
While offended, Norman went back two days later and shelled out $10,000 for the car. “He wasn’t showy and didn’t want whitewall tires or a fancy hood ornament,” Christopher says. “It was the Depression and I was told my grandfather was very sensitive about anything that would show wealth.” Norman drove his new car to work every day in the fair-weather months and used it to take the family to their oceanfront summer residence at Yarrow Point in Ardmore.