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millwatermotors ‘Passionate for perfection in Packards’ best describes Stuart Flexman, who not only shared his love of this beautiful motor car with me but allowed me to enjoy the thrill of its power, elegance and impeccable manners on the road to Hatfield’s Beach and back. Stuart arrived in Orewa at the age of six weeks in November 1936, when there were few houses and fewer streets. He became a master builder, involved in building the shops in Orewa, Whangaparaoa and Silverdale, and established a timber finger-jointing factory that he owned until 2006. Stuart undoubtedly also became a very accomplished artist in wood craft, which skills he has used to create the patterns and moulds that turned out the complex metal shapes needed for the restoration of this shining 1941 Packard 180 Super 8 convertible. Stylish American motor cars, initially Ford Fairlane V8s, have been an important part of Stuart’s life over many years. In 1982
Stuart used his hand-made wooden moulds for the complex bodywork panel shapes that had to be produced. Chrome trim parts, dashboard fittings, lights and embellishments were sourced by Stuart on the Internet over the years. Local panel beaters and auto electricians were employed to put together and completely rebuild his Super 8. Local upholsterers fitted the new cream leather upholstery and recovered the electrically-folding convertible top. The perfect metallic aubergine paint job was lovingly completed by Real Rides in Silverdale. Wheels and new whitewall radial tyres were bought in the USA, completing Stuart’s 185HP, 327 cubic inch, straight 8 pride and joy. The column-shift gearbox is an original Packard auto 2-speed plus reverse and, having ridden in the car, it sure delivers the 98 octane-fuelled power to the road in a most effective manner. Road-holding is impeccably good for a car of this age. The twin, covered spare wheels and elegant swan emblem on the bonnet mark out Stuart’s car as a top-of-therange Packard. Next projects? Stuart has some more Packards, on which he will lavish love and attention and bring them to the same standard – we can’t wait!
Stuart’s son bought a 1939 Packard sedan, for which Stuart helped source parts and materials, and it was while looking for these that he found a 1939 Packard convertible that he bought for himself. This was the start of the Packard passion and Stuart soon also had a sedan. Convertibles and sedans cost the same to restore but convertibles are worth 5 to 10 times more than the sedans when restored, so Stuart concentrated on the convertible models! About 10 years ago, Stuart saw a rear body shell of a 1941 Packard, minus the front end, and bought that. Looking at his gleaming, fully restored Packard Super 8, it is clear that a true love affair between man and machine really began back then.
