He'd been told his car was a write-off -  but one man's trash is another man's treasure.

And no-one knows it better than Dany Madawala​.

Madawala was one of 31 people from west Auckland who were severely affected by the March floods.

Dany Madawala said he bought his dream car in 2016 but the March floods left it in bad shape.

His unit at 4114 Great North Rd was declared uninhabitable after the deluge, and the Madawala's lost everything they owned when their home was innudated.

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Ted Jarvis, the chairman and trustee of the Silverfern MotorSport Charitable Trust, and four youths are working on Dany Madawala's car, which was damaged in the New Lynn flash floods in March. The car is on a hoist behind him.

The floods of March 12 also damaged his uninsured "dream car" beyond repair, and a scrap dealer wanted to buy it for about $300 - but then Ted Jarvis made him an offer he could not refuse.

He wanted to fix the Nissan for free.

Jarvis, a programme manager at Silver Fern Motorsport Charitable Trust, was looking for an automotive project for his students.

Two youths from Silverfern Motorsport Charitable Trust working on Dany Madawala's car.

He worked with at-risk youths who had a "passion for cars" and were referred to the trust via the justice system, other non-for-profits and Child, Youth and Family. They work on the cars, gaining valuable experience and a potential career path.

With nothing to lose, the flood victim agreed for Jarvis and his students to fix his prized automobile.

In early April, the Nissan was towed from the the block of flats. It had been parked there for over a month after being submerged in water for 45 minutes on the day of the floods.

Ted Jarvis standing underneath Dany Madawala's car, which was damaged in the New Lynn flash floods in March.

At the Silver Fern Motorsport workshop it took two weeks for Jarvis and his students to revive the engine, clean the interior and dry the trim.  

On April 27 Madawala's car had its first drive since March.

But Jarvis said it was a long process and there was still some work required.

The interior of the car was covered with mud, leaves and other rubbish that the flood waters brought in.

The interior of the car was covered with mud and the seats were soaked, he said.

Things were no better under the bonnet, there was water in the engine, spark plugs and igniters.

The exhaust was also full of water.

The trim inside was soaked with water.

Jarvis and his students removed the wet components to dry them.

"We have had to drain all the oils and everything out of the engine and the transmission," Jarvis said.

The interior trim including the seats were dried over several days using a large fan.

The base of the car was covered in mud.

Fortunately, he said, the damage was not severe because the flood water had not been not corrosive.

At this stage, the car did not seem to need to new parts and fixing and drying existing components seemed to do the trick, Jarvis said.

He said a mechanic would have charged "thousands" to fix the car.

"He [Madawala] would have probably spent more money than the car is worth."

Jarvis said work should be complete soon, and it will "hopefully" return to its pre-flood state.

Madawala said he was overjoyed with the outcome, and could not wait to drive his car again.  

The migrant, from Sri Lanka, said several people had approached him with offers of support.

Along with Jarvis' offer, many west Aucklanders got in touch after his story was publicised, with offers of cash, clothes and toys for the family.

Madawala said he will always remember this as an example of Kiwi kindness. 

"I have learned how people can come together in adversity," he said.

"I thought Auckland is busy and people are busy making money but there are a lot of good people who walk among us."

He said he had lost his job, but the community and church were helping him get back on his feet. 

The Madawala's were given a month to look for new accommodation after Civil Defence gave them temporary shelter at an Auckland Transport-owned apartment in Mt Eden on March 17. 

Madawala said he was going to move in with friends at the end of this month. 

* The Silver Fern Motorsport Charitable Trust was always on the lookout for project cars like Dany's, Jarvis said. For more information contact Jarvis on 021 635 031 or email ted.jarvis@silverfernmotorsport.com. The not-for-profit was also looking for community support via the the Z Good in the Hood programme running at Z stations in New Lynn, Avondale and Glen Eden.

 - Stuff