Don Packwoods fascination with cars dates back to his childhood in the Wairarapa, when one of the year's greatest pleasures was an annual trip to the Levin Motor Racing Circuit. There he would study and sketch the cars that fuelled his love of all things automotive. An inherited mechanical engineering background encouraged Dons wide range of artistic interests. Many hours were consumed with painting, model building and restoring vintage and classic cars. This interest led Don to build his own 1925 Brooklands Special, hand making most of the components.

Don Packwood has a growing reputation as one of the world's finest automotive artists. As well as having his work in many private collections in New Zealand, Don is also recognised internationally by fine art collectors in the United States, Canada, England and Europe. Don has also been commissioned by corporate organisations such as BMW New Zealand as well as the racing teams.

Don has exhibited both nationally and overseas, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, and has been invited to exhibit at the Melbourne Grand Prix with the Australian. Motorsport Artists. He is a life member of the Bruce McLaren Trust, the Possum Bourne Trust own an original work, and Karting NZ presented World Karting Champion Wade Cunningham with an original to celebrate his 2003 World Title.

Dons passion and understanding of the subject is clearly reflected in his canvases. From the glamour circuits of Monaco, Le Mans, Brands Hatch, Bathhurst and Pukekohe he brings to life the roar of the racetrack along with the heat and dust of the Rally. Don immortilises the golden age of motorsport and the magnificent domination by Kiwi greats.