(EP10) HubNut Goes Global: AMAZING Packard and Pioneer Museum, Maungatapere, New Zealand

[@smoothmicra]

Museum owners of the world take note. There is nothing duller than walking around a museum of dusty relics behind ropes or under glass with a few signs telling you about the exhibit you are looking at (any type of museum). Here is one where a bloke starts up the exhibits and even gives you a ride in one; the essence of an "interactive" experience. It turns a forgettable day into one that lives in the memory. I'd pay good money to have a guided tour like that, it is how all automotive museums should be. Great vid Hubbers, most interesting 👍

[@rykerorion1185]

Instablaster.

[@golfman9290]

AAH Ian, that was a absolute joy to watch, fantastic, many thanks! And what a bloody nice bloke to show you round and start up those motors, big thanks to him!

[@johncollymore1697]

Agree - what a lovely cheerful chap - a proper Car-Nut too, obviously! Fantastic collection in sheds! And we can almost smell the atmosphere. The stuff they have there is just incredible. No, the video is too short! Many thanks Ian.

[@martinda7446]

@@johncollymore1697 I always hope the fella reads the nice comments said about him...But he is the sort not to take any notice..Great chap, I'd really like to visit. It's almost worth the trip across the world on its own!

[@CharlesSmith-zt7vt]

@tone167 iirc they have to do the tour for insurance/liability issues. When I went I thought it might detract from the experience, but actually it really added to it. You get loads of good information and they certainly don't rush you.

[@pbvauxhall5920]

That us Kiwis

[@saddoncarrs6963]

Amazing museum, Ian - be sure to bring home a few cans of "Start ya bastard" - may come in handy in the spring.

[@johntimken9842]

One of my less fond memories, spraying "Easy start" into the carbs of my Sunbeam Rapier, spinning the engine, and then a very loud bang. I jumped out and looked to see what had happened. The cylinder head had blown off the engine. RIP Sunbeam Rapier.

[@richardcallison1637]

I’m lost for words! What an amazing museum and to have a proprietor so willing to demonstrate the vehicles he is clearly passionate and knowledgable about must have been an absolute joy! That video was truly joyous!👍👍

[@VauxhallViva1975]

Yes indeed! I can't think of many museums like this, where they are willing to crank up the exhibits! Fantastic. :)

[@gianpaologliori3604]

Can’t believe that Packard is 100 years old! Amazing.

[@MattBrownbill]

If you like that era of cars, cold starts etc, you should check out 'Jonathan W' on KZbin.

[@spuriouspodge7416]

That chap must look after a lot of them regularly. They start and run so easily

[@rayg9069]

@tone167 He has a better collection than the National Motor Museum at Birdwood! Brilliant stuff.

[@lesrogers7310]

The owner of this fantastic museum is a really nice chap. I don't personally know of any other where the proprietor would happily demonstrate the vehicles for you. Absolutely superb!

[@North49191]

thats the way to run a museum.

[@handyhippie6548]

i simply cannot believe he took the time to actually start all of those engines for you. i agree, that is an amazing museum. it is obvious that gentleman really loves his collection, and i must say, i do as well. thank you for taking us along. this is time well spent before work. who needs breakfast, when you can visit someplace like this?

[@RobinCapper]

Due to NZ safety regs & way it is displayed they can no longer let you wander the collection but the stories, history of the vehicles and how they ended up in NZ add so much to the viewing. I arrived, by chance, in the middle of another group tour. Joined them and saw about half but had to leave for a pre-arranged appointment. Was offered a call-back and returned later that day for a 1:1 tour of the unseen part with the Manager.

[@69Phuket]

@@RobinCapperThat's one hell of a day job!

[@handyhippie6548]

@@RobinCapper a personal tour of the museum is outstanding! i figured he did it for ian because he is hubnut, but to know he does it for regular patrons shows his dedication to the collection, and to sharing the history of it. if i ever get to nz, i will be sure to make it a part of my adventure. thanx!

[@millomweb]

Museums that bring tears to my eyes is a new experience for me. Ian, you've now done it twice. This and the Matthews collection must be candidates for world's best museum. They're both overwhelming - I could spend over a week in each. You could have a new thing here - vehicle museums of the world. Focusing on more remote museums - lesser known ones and all that.

[@millomweb]

@Paolo G You mean it's another candidate ?

[@RobinCapper]

@Paolo G I, and many others I suspect, have suggested that too

[@slava_trushkin]

So this is what HubNut heaven looks like

[@rustywreck6631]

That Packard “double six” what a great start up

[@waltertaljaard1488]

Like WW2 piston engined airplane.

[@davidfarmer2049]

@@waltertaljaard1488 Wonder what that did to the gallon....

[@gosportjamie]

It's truly amazing, a car and engine from 1919 that's quieter and more refined than most cars today. With the sound off and the fan out of shot you wouldn't be able to tell that engine was running, it was just so smooth...

[@andrewhaines8603]

@@gosportjamie Would any of today's cars still survive and start so well after 100 years? I think not!

[@gosportjamie]

@@andrewhaines8603 I rather suspect there is not a single, solitary chance. Not on your Nelly...

[@kimkiriniki9433]

That Austin 1800 ute..gorgeous.

[@jjkelly4664]

Love everything about this place, so friendly and willing to share. Thanks for the show Ian

[@paultaylor9652]

Lovely Jubbly Mr HubNut, who is going to look after these very cherished vehicles when the old timers have passed away.

[@admiralalcatraz6080]

What a nice chap. Looks like an awesome place to spend a day.

[@kevintynan796]

What a wonderful character the museum owner is just loving showing his vehicles. New Zealand’s Jay Leno.

[@davidmarlow2786]

Amazing place. Is that guy the most helpful museum curator in the world.

[@davidpriestley3268]

Nice to see you give a little time to motor cycles Ian. You normally skip past them. What a fantastic museum.

[@graemew7001]

Thanks Ian, this video wasn't too long, in fact I could have watched hours of this, that Museum is so very interesting.

[@AndrewArcher-i2e]

I realise I am 4 years late watching this video, but recently started your "hubnut goes global" playlist and really enjoying it. the museum looked fantastic and the chap showing you around seems like a really nice bloke and clearly loves what he is doing. fantastic viewing! thanks for sharing this with us - I look forward to watching the rest of the trip!

[@cornishhh]

Another top video; thanks again. That chap was like an automotive encyclopedia, and I bet he's an A1 mechanic and fabricator too. A proper old school Kiwi. The only thing I noticed he got wrong was that he said Australian BMC's were made in Adelaide; they were made in Sydney. Great that he gave you the personal guided tour with demonstrations.

[@northof-62]

T-Ford engine sounds so nice! Lucky you to get such a tour with so many engine starts. thx again for sharing. Oh there was an ACCO outside the building too. I used to make those at IHC (now IVECO) in Dandenong, Vic. We also put out the military IHC that i saw inside there. Anyway, I think even Jay Leno will be envious of that Packard collection.

[@northof-62]

@tone167 Were they imported to Australia back in the day? We didn't make those in Dandenong when I was there. The smallest was the C-1300s I think.

[@inindian]

I really enjoyed this episode. Many years ago when I worked at the former New Zealand Motor Corporation (BLMC dealership) in Symonds Street, Auckland, I would sometimes see Fenton Craw's father Graham drop in driving a beautiful dark blue Packard. I think it was his daily drive at the time as I would sometimes see him around West Auckland in it. He would come in for BMC parts or to chat to his mate Graham Gordon the parts dept. manager at the time. It's nice to see Fenton carrying the torch and that he's quite like his father.

[@zugbug1986]

What a great collection of vehicles and you Mr H. were very lucky to be given a guided tour but I'm sure you appreciated it.Thankyou for sharing, I'm not jealous in the least.

[@jncg2311]

You lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky bloke! What an amazing place, a fabulous tour and such a friendly guide. I could spend days or longer somewhere like that It's what I imagine I'd end up with if I inherited a fortune; I'd blow most of it on cool rusty stuff and the rest on trying to restore it. Then the rest of my days randomly starting engines just for the love of it! Thank you so much for showing us. Top banana!

[@arkhsm]

That Ariel Square Four had a modern bikes sound AND responce....wow !!

[@jurivlk5433]

Absolutely amazing! One of the best museums ever seen! And these things work. Loved the 1919 Packard with the smooth engine!

[@audreyfforbes-hamilton]

Once again I’m staggered by your encyclopaedic knowledge! Hope you’re feeling ok - all those fumes!!!

[@PaulinesPastimes]

It is the museum of almost everything! How brilliant to have the owner actually demonstrate the machines for you and didn't he love showing them off too, just lovely. Thank you for showing us this treat. So many gems. Cheers.

[@bentullett6068]

These museums in New Zealand have so far been amazing to look around. Love the tractors and that restored steam train.

[@grayfool]

What a place. That gentleman deserves a special mention too. How many other curators would offer that kind of service. What a geezer! (Geezer = a jolly fine chap to any non-English viewers ). Thank you so much Ian. A true highlight.

[@mikebrown7194]

Wow. Now that is a motor museum ! What a great host and able to start those engines and for you to be there and hear them. Superb. Liking the blogs Ian. Early American truck wiper action ticks another wiper box 😉👍

[@moyadapne968]

Trekka. You haven't lived until you've 'A' framed a VW Kombi behind one on a hill, front wheels locked and rears along for the ride. Back to front floor shift. Unburstable. Our VW workshop had a big wooden box with all parts to convert the diff to LSD. Called Balanced Traction. A suitable round BT badge was then affixed Swing axles for maximum cornering fun. We used to carry 3 x 44 gallon drums of waste oil in the Trekka, and empty the oil at the local tip. Lots of garages did that. Pollution! 32:09 Studebaker Lark V8, 283. 5 Star Motors in ChCh NZ were the agents for VW, Alfa, Skoda, Mitsubishi Colt, and Studebaker. We used to race the Studes in the w/shop at lunch when the bosses were next door at the pub. Fun in the '60s.

[@kahumike]

In 1978 it became illegal to transport sheep in cars if they weren't fitted with sheepbelts... Great video, I saw the Packard part of the collection some years ago when it was on display in Whangarei, I didn't know at the time it was part of a larger collection.

[@andymccabe6712]

I hope you're feeling sheepish after that joke...... It baa...ly raised a smile... I could bleat it anytime.....

[@stepheng8779]

What a place and what a top bloke 😀 Loads of remarkable, stunning machines yet it's the little A35 pickup that I'd take away if I could.

[@landsnailproject2875]

WOW - that was really great! What an assembly of delights. The founders son really knew the pet foibles of all his charges which is a credit - so often the 'rulers' of this type of collection is letting them stand and rot, claiming to 'love them all'. I cite scenes from 'Barn Find Hunter' as an example. I could go on forever, types there I had no idea ever existed, alongside SO many memories. Great stuff Ian - thank you for sharing. Oh, and trying not to appear a smart a - se, the next time you come across an Ariel Square Four (or most Brit bikes), port side of engine is primary drive/clutch and starboard side gearbox and timing gears (mostly). Many thanks - Teresa in the cold, wet, damp, miserable Cambridgeshire Fens.

[@RWBHere]

16:30 - The ‘Squariel’ was one of my favourite bikes, after HRD Vincents and Brough Superiors. Once they had warmed up, you heard the tappets, rather than the engine or exhaust, as it approached you. From behind one in town, you heard that lovely exhaust burble, or a hum at higher revs. Quite a number of Ariel Square Fours clocked up over 500,000 miles without major issues, so long as they were looked after properly. Thanks for the fascinating tour, Ian.

[@gruntabro1]

That Ariel sounded fantastic

[@garrytalbot3456]

So much work to keep all of them on the button! What a dedicated team.

[@derek-press]

Packard Hawk at the end, what a beauty

[@mattw8332]

Oof! Rear engined Skoda ftw. Love that Leyland P76 and Austin Kimberley too. What an incredible museum. Wish I was there: a lot more tranquil than today's classic car show at the NEC in Birmingham. I hate crowds.

[@tallyhorizzla3330]

One of the nicest cars l have ever driven was a P-76 Targa Florio. Incredibly comfortable,super responsive,one finger power steering,must have been one of the few that they got right. Only downside was a god awful brown paint job.

[@nico.c97]

You know it´s a good museum when the owner comes out and starts every car you want! That orange mini dozer is so amazing, and dangerous!

[@aaronbiggin1103]

Couldn't click fast enough, so many great sounds, even required headphones to listen properly over rubbish the wife was watching. Some of the best content on you tube. Thanks for taking us all with you.

[@100SteveB]

What a fabulous collection! A real joy to see so many rare cars, and a real pleasure to hear some of them run. My hat goes off to that gentleman indeed.

[@mrpaisleyshirt]

As a kid i visited Graham's Anawhata farm property when he had his collection stored there, and my father purchased an antique kauri dresser from the old Riverhead Gum Store that Graham also owned at the time. I remember a couple of old Packards parked outside at the store as well. This was probably early 1970's. He was quite a character was Graham, nice to know his collection is still being preserved by his son.

[@raspucin70]

Oh wow, what a treat! I really like that owner is not afraid to start them up, instead of mothballing them and never show to public. Very nice indeed!

[@Turnbull50]

Amazing stuff. How can you not love New Zealand when they have a can of ether called Start You Bastard which is exactly what you think when using it. The world's best museum.

[@HubNut]

It is. One you can now find in the UK in some stores. Needs an Australian accent for maximum effect.

[@RWBHere]

@tone167 When I was a young teenager in Sydney, I thought they were saying, 'Start, ya can't!'. Oh, the days of innocent youth...

[@Lonewolf-kw8gg]

3:22 I've driven one of these in Belgium, Leyland P76 4.4l Rover V8 manual column shift, one of only 3 or so examples in Europe so I was told! It cruised very nicely on the motorway!

[@Brisarian]

"Start Ya Bastard" I say that to my car everyday ! Great video and what a gent the owner is for stating the vehicles for us Hubnutters..

[@Kai-Peter.Schellhase]

What a brilliant museum, props to the owner! Thanks for sharing this, Ian.👍

[@meirionevans5137]

There are some real little gems out there still, thanks for sharing. Not many museums are as hands on. Fenton Craw, what a nice fella, brilliant name.

[@stephenscholes4758]

Someone has probably already commented but the Kimberley was produced in Sydney, not Adelaide as mentioned (by BMC, Zetland, which was almost the entire suburb). Adelaide was actually home to Chrysler Australia which was bought out by Mitsubishi.

[@kroneditor9266]

What a remarkable place and a very warm welcome as well - Great stuff!

[@graememurray1963]

What a place wow could watch this all day

[@Thecrazyvaclav]

What a fantastic place,and a brilliant owner,loved the Trekker and the orange skoda the most,but everything there was great

[@CaptHollister]

Thank you for taking the time to show us some of those beautiful bikes, it's especially appreciated since we know bikes aren't your thing.

[@dazaspc]

One of the great collections of pre 30's Packard's and some very nice Junior and senior cars. I have been to NZ and didnt know about this museum well its time for another trip.

[@johnwellings3225]

Great to hear the lovely engins on the old cars, great museum boss, also

[@waterpowerspaniels]

Could you imagine pulling up to any attraction in the UK finding it closed and the owner turns up and giving you a guided tour and starting and giving you a walk round ? Good times

[@flightis3dollars]

What a wonderful place! Many thanks for showing us around and many thanks to the cool proprietor for starting up some of the engines. Truly one of the best pieces of content on HubNut yet, which says a lot.

[@grahamx8623]

Motorbikes on HubNut? It's the perfect Friday. Great museum.

[@tauncfester3022]

Utterly amazing vehicle museum and the curator starts some of them for you! My jaw dropped to the floor when he offered to fire up the 1919 Packard double six. And kick start a Squariel! I had just watched Jay Leno give a video drive in his '32 Packard Double six, but this video outshines Leno's Garage. Thanks again Ian for taking us along for the ride.

[@stephenswift8001]

Looks like that gent throughly enjoyed starting the various machinery up and I enjoyed him doing so!

[@maxgreece1]

Just wow really - you could get lost in that museum for weeks if not months. Gotta show some love for the motorbikes too. The one he started up was just stunningly beautiful.

[@phillipsharpe6459]

Absolutely brilliant, i could spend days looking round that place, and a nice bloke to show you round, 😁👍

[@graemew7001]

Me too, I'd pitch a tent on his grass out the back!

[@HighHoeKermit]

@@graemew7001 You'd have to be careful you didn't get mowed down by a 6 wheel-drive monster with dodgy wipers!

[@graemew7001]

@@HighHoeKermit Haha! You're right there, I'm going to pitch up in a corner by the fence after you've pointed that out 👍

[@recommendedforyou6235]

Brilliant Ian, what a lovely guy and magical collection

[@sg8539]

All i can say is Amazing as you said in title of video and the gentleman in the hat was really informative and helpful. Fantastic, thanks Ian.

[@geoffozevans4500]

What a nice gentleman, really enjoyed watching your video, well done that man 👍😎

[@Mariazellerbahn]

35:21 Badged as a Packard Hawk but was a badge engineered Studebaker Hawk. Only the Packard had the fake spare wheel on the bootlid.

[@neilhall676]

What a place ! Fabulous, I could spend all day there. Happy travels

[@adrianellis6902]

Two words, bloody marvellous cheers Ian.

[@micheltebraake7915]

What a gold mine. Thank you for showing us, Ian.

[@barryphillips7327]

Amazing museum! The steam locomotive is an A ( 62 )class, two survive and run at times, one in Dunedin A67, other is A64 think it is Christchurch area i could be wrong.

[@Mercmad]

When i lived in Auckland in the 70's I had a 1951 Packard,which i had got as a swap for a Austin A60 😏... On the NZ ownership papers it listed the Craws as being owners sometime previous to me. The first owner being the Owner of Dominion brewery,Sir Henry Kelliher. The pioneer skid steer is a new one to me. Make a mistake driving that and you will get a free invacar... And railway jigger behind it. The skoda dealers bought the octavia Chassis into NZ as part of a lamb deal. So NZ got quite a few Skodas but getting parts was always a major problem. I had two Singer SM's and a Singer Hunter. The Hunter had a fiberglass bonnet. So they must have been amongst the first cars in the world to have such a thing. Dodge,after WW2 got so many requests for a vehicle similar to what the GI's had that they bought out the power wagon in 1947,which looks almost the same and continued making them for decades. NZ also got a lot of bradfords, bought in by the same people who later sold Skodas. I see a pattern there. I have two Leyland P76 Engines(3 actually but one is in pieces) . BLMC made more v8 engines than cars so they used a lot of the excess production to power a truck called a leyland Terrier. I doubt any survive although the engines keep turning up for sale.

[@martinda7446]

Great post.

[@gruntabro1]

Friend of mine has a running P76 in his shed ,needs VIN tag off another to get it back in the road , another friens inherited a Sunbeam Rapier which he renamed the Rapist !

[@robertmaitland09]

Fantastic, the grin on that blokes face says it all!

[@heartland96a]

Had seen that calf dozed before but all the examples on KZbin all had blades .Very interesting that they had made them both ways .

[@timneeves.6338]

Incredible collection....of rare vehicles...

[@jbz2079]

That place was a bit unexpected, but so good and interesting, Hats off to your enthusiastic and helpful guide, isn't it amazing what gets where in the world of mechanical engineering?

[@AnjinSan1966]

Wow so many lovley cars!!!! Thank you for doing this tour :D

[@ianmontgomery7213]

Love the little Aveling dozer. My nephew has an Aveling steam roller.

[@DeanoTheSaxman]

Hi Ian ... Hope your having a great time ... The Land Rover @ 33:45 is very Reminiscent of the Military 101 ... I thought the 101 was only built for military purposes ... ? the front grill is exactly the same as the 101 & mid engined under the front seats ... ! What a fantastic collection of motoring history past ... ! Don't worry about the length of the episodes, I PERSONALLY love to see more content, even if it is longer and I understand more work ... Brilliant job Ian .... ;-) Love the "Postman Pat" trecker ... "The Simpsons" .... Ha Ha ... The "Springfield" Gas Engine .... Very Funny ... !!! ... ;-)

[@HubNut]

The 101 is actually very different in exection to the Series IIA and IIB forward control models.

[@richardsedding8444]

Brilliant video, Ian, great to hear the engines, what a wonderful place.

[@shaunw9270]

Brilliant place ! Truly amazing to see so many rare cars in one place . A Pilot Ute , never even knew they made a pickup version before now ! Incredible collection & a top bloke 👌

[@johnnorth9355]

Someone who loves old motors more than you Ian ? You were definitely his excuse to start up and play with his toys. Brilliant !

[@alech8336]

What a brilliant museum. Fantastic to see the obvious joy that gent took in showing you around and his amazing machines.

[@deanswetman3887]

I'm surprised you stayed conscious with all those fumes! Excellent video as usual.

[@pauldavies6037]

What an amazing museum not many in the world where the boss starts the engines up and drives out in one of them I'll liking NZ more each time I watch Hub Nut

[@69Phuket]

Thanks to all that gave the intel on this place. When in New Zealand. You know where to go!

[@AllThingsAlex]

What an utterley fantastic collection. Thanks so much for sharing Ian. You really must have been like a kid in a sweet shop!. Good times indeed!

[@paulbennell3313]

When I was a kid, a local guy had 2 Singer Hunters. Each one was just a mass of rust but he used them for a few years, then one became a spares car for the other one, then the Inevitable happened and they both became too knackered to earn an MOT. They were 20-odd years old by then. That's 2 extremely cool museums you've shown us now! I'm liking New Zealand a lot.

[@ashtonthornes1418]

Something for everyone, enjoyed that, thank you Hub Nut...

[@robinjones6999]

thats about the most amazing museum Ive ever seen

[@richardirvine9469]

Back to a good healthy dose of HubNutery!!!,,,always brings out the wee lad in me,,,😀

[@craigmclean8260]

A very nice tour of this museum, containing so many oddities of interest....some of those later Packard models I'd never seen, even here in the States! And it is funny, seeing a Leyland P76, which was a new model when I lived in Oz...never saw many of them, but the shape was rather unique!

[@frothe42]

Absolutely incredible! So impressed! The Ford Model T sounds just like a Ford tractor! I believe they had a four cylinder as well. Lots of American 🇺🇸 and British 🇬🇧! Loved seeing the Rovers!

[@rorylyons277]

Absolutely awesome, Ian! Well done! The Ariel 2 cyl police bike, when started by your most gracious curator, the subtitles on your blog were amazing - every time he revved the engine, the subtitle was "MUSIC". How appropos!

[@waterbourne9282]

Brilliant, thanks, that place has been strongly recommended to me as well so great to see it, and even better with the start ups, they all sounded unexpectedly great.

[@694069406940]

grate video loved the old cars some of them engines are beasts 27 litters woooow

[@timhancock6626]

That is truly one of the most interesting collections I have seen in a long time, particularly the 1950s vehicles that have almost totally disappeared in the UK, but which I can just remember (in most cases) from my childhood.

[@HowardLeVert]

What a fascinating place. And as you patted the BX for reaching 350,000km today, I patted my 530i for reaching 270,000 miles today :)