Meanwhile, several old car enthusiasts and members of the shelby township historical commission banded together to submit proposals. Packard proving grounds celebrating 90 years with auto show. Packard motor car company built some of the worlds finest cars for decades, but the proving grounds in shelby township also tested tanks in world war ii and built jet engines in the 1950s. The author delivers the complete history of this magnificent marque, from packard s first model a horseless carriage of 1899, to the companys final days in 1958. Thanks for spreading the word about the history of the packard proving grounds. Apr 05, 2020 mopar show at packard grounds postponed by david zatz on april 5, 2020 at 9.
Packard s detroit factory and utica proving grounds were closed. During the first half of the twentieth century, the packard was one of americas premier luxury automobiles. Inauguration of the packard proving grounds, race car. Packard proving grounds historic site, shelby township, mi. Vintage garages, circa 1928 albert kahn designed buildings offer a blank slate for you to. All products pac club items books dealer publications decals miscellaneous owners manuals vendor source list special publications parts books service guides service counselors shop manuals dvds parking light lenses accessory catalogs data books service letters ecommerce, open source, shop, online shopping, store. The address of the packard proving grounds is 49965 van dyke ave.
Packard proving grounds wins honor for preservation efforts. Today we are in macomb county, shelby township to be exact, visiting the packard proving grounds historic site. Archival blackandwhite photographs, stunning new color photos, and a thorough and wellresearched text guide you through packard s stylish lineup. The national packard museum in warren, ohio presents the howard hughes, jean peters 1955 packard. Storybook romance meets industrial charm at the packard proving grounds for an ideal, oneofakind wedding celebration. Packard proving grounds plans timing stand restoration.
Packard was founded by james ward packard, his brother william and their partner, george lewis weiss, in the city of warren, ohio, where 400 packard automobiles were built at their factory on dana street northeast, from 1899 to 1903. Pac club items books dealer publications decals miscellaneous owners manuals vendor source list special publications parts books service guides service counselors shop manuals dvds parking light lenses accessory catalogs data books service letters ecommerce, open source, shop, online shopping, store. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. This article, printed on thick high quality paper has beautiful nice glossy color pictures and interesting history of these grounds, consisting of an oval track and parklike grounds, situated in michigan. Packards detroit factory and utica proving grounds were closed. Packard proving grounds shelby charter township, michigan. In 1928, the ovalshaped track was touted as the worlds fastest speedway, according to the shelby township historical committees web site.
Packard proving grounds, shelby charter township, michigan. The packard proving grounds are located at 49965 van dyke ave. Packard was an american luxury automobile marque built by the packard motor car company of detroit, michigan, united states. In a stopgap effort to buy time for the development and financing of an allnew packard, and to honor existing dealer contracts, a 1957 packard that was merely a dressed up studebaker president went into production at. Packard proving grounds member, national association of automobile museums. Jan 01, 2005 excellent book not only for packard enthusiasts.
Trusted writing on history, travel, food and culture since 1949. Book now at the cambria hotel shelby township detroit near the michigan. During world war ii, chryslers defense department tested the durability of tanks here on the looping testing tracks. Jul 17, 2017 these are the buildings that are located at the 14 acre packard proving grounds historical site in shelby twp, mi. See more ideas about proving grounds, historical sites and acre. Oct 18, 2015 fall fun at the packard proving grounds in shelby, mi. Jan 03, 2020 in may or early june, 1952 packard hosted an event for the detroit section, society of automotive engineers sae, of an afternoon tour of their proving grounds. There are many well known automobile testing sitesutahs bonneville salt flats and colorados pikes peak come to mindand some lesser knowns, like michigans packard proving grounds, built in the 1920s. In the years following world war ii, the packard motor car company struggled to keep pace with the larger automakers that had purchased. A mechanical engineer, james packard believed they could build a better horseless carriage than the winton cars owned by weiss, an important. Packard proving grounds celebrating 90 years with auto. The banked track is now gone, replaced by a condo project, as well as the badlands track. For more information about the packard proving grounds, call 586 7394800 or visit for more information about the motorcities national heritage area, call 3 2593425 or visit. The proving grounds at this location originally opened in 1927.
Designed by dont you know it albert kahn, the steelframed buildings were. Welcome to the packard proving grounds historic site. Aug 15, 2011 i was at a presentation of the packard motors foundation out at the packard proving grounds, or what was left of the proving grounds. The author delivers the complete history of this magnificent marque, from packards first model a horseless carriage of 1899, to the companys final days in 1958. The crown jewel for packard was the packard factory, a 3. Step back in time to experience this beautiful automotive history site. Packard proving grounds detroit historical society. The national packard museums mission is to preserve the packard legacy, to recognize packard s influence on transportation and industrial history, and to educate current and future generations. One can find here detailed packard history and a lot more the book tells about the people and the times they lived. Packard proving grounds venue utica, mi weddingwire. Sep 21, 2018 this board features pictures of the packard proving grounds, a 14 achre automotive history site with 1928 albert kahn designed buildings available for events and owned by the packard motor car foundation, 501c3.
I was a new student member of sae and had the opportunity to attend. It features an outdoor pool, a hot buffet breakfast and an onsite convenience store. Mar 29, 2016 thanks for spreading the word about the history of the packard proving grounds. The 10 best hotels near packard proving grounds in shelby. Come explore the lodge building and garage as you learn about the many ways the grounds have been used throughout their.
Packard proving grounds shelby township 2020 all you need to. Dozens of official and unofficial testing grounds have been used, and by now, youve probably guessed it. See more ideas about proving grounds, pictures and motor car. The film has archival as well as new footage of vintage packards and their impact on the automotive scene. Proving grounds, guest books, historical sites, rustic, creative, wedding. The north oakland mopar muscle nomm allmopar meet at the packard proving grounds on 426 has been tentatively moved to may 31, 2020. In 1927 the packard motor car company began constructing a testing facility on 560 acres of farmland in shelby twp. The packard motor car company proving grounds is a remarkably complete and unaltered complex of buildings, structures and landscape features that represents probably the most intact automobile.
History of the packard motor car company and the packard proving grounds. Inauguration of the packard proving grounds, race car being. Fall fun at the packard proving grounds in shelby, mi. A remarkable three stout scarabs will lead hundreds of historic cars in a unique setting june 11, as the annual cars r stars auto show returns to the historic packard motor car co. Packard proving grounds reception venues shelby township, mi. Hoods in the rear is theme for packard proving grounds. According to roger luksik, vice president of the packard motor car foundation, the twostory timing stand was already restored once in 2004, but. Packard was a very viable company at that time with a great automotive and patriotic history. A lot of great stories, technical specifications, production figures almost everything, you want to know about cars and company. Packard proving grounds utica mi water winter wonderland. The local automotive history site sits atop 17 acres of green lawns and blooming trees, which accentuates the charming buildings with original slate roofs expertly designed by albert kahn. What differentiates this venue from other wedding venues. Regarding the question of the ppg having the worlds fastest track it is true. Mopar show at packard grounds postponed by david zatz on april 5, 2020 at 9.
My wife and i are regular contributors to the packard proving grounds restoration project and this film used to be available through that organization, but now has become very hard to come by. Packard proving grounds historic site home facebook. The packard proving grounds testing validates the motorcar. In a stopgap effort to buy time for the development and financing of an allnew packard, and to honor existing dealer contracts, a 1957 packard that was merely a dressed up studebaker president went into production at studebakers factory in south bend. The hoods in the rear grouping also will include an amphicar, delorean dmc 12, bmw isettas, a fiat jolly and several porsches. The packard motor car company employees search packard. A lot of great stories, technical specifications, production figures almost everything. Sep 05, 2011 the packard motor car company proving grounds is a remarkably complete and unaltered complex of buildings, structures and landscape features that represents probably the most intact automobile.
The goal of the cars r stars show at the historic packard proving grounds is to honor the role of vehicles in our collective history. Packard proving grounds historic site that features rustic, vintage circa 1928. While not used now, they are hoping to turn this facility into a museum. Detroits rich automotive and manufacturing history spreads far beyond the city limits. The packard motor car foundation is a 501c3 organization and everyone working on the restoration of the site is an unpaid volunteer. Packard proving grounds venue, shelby charter township. Archival blackandwhite photographs, stunning new color photos, and a thorough and wellresearched text guide you through packards stylish lineup. Packard was a premier nameplate in the united states, mentioned in the same breath as duesenberg, cadillac, piercearrow, and lincoln.
Packard testing proving grounds article 9 page article ebay. Hotels near packard proving grounds, shelby township on tripadvisor. Packard proving grounds is a reception venue in shelby township, mi. Packard proving grounds historic site packard proving. This facility is the cite of the packard motor company proving grounds. Packard proving grounds plans timing stand restoration, re.
Packard proving grounds shelby township the proving. All donations to the packard motor car foundation are taxdeductible to the full extent permitted by law. The local automotive history site sits atop 17 acres of green lawns and blooming trees, which accentuates the charming buildings with original slate. In may or early june, 1952 packard hosted an event for the detroit section, society of automotive engineers sae, of an afternoon tour of their proving grounds. While the concept of the automobile was first developed in europe see history 101. Packard testing proving grounds article 9 page article. Come explore the lodge building and garage as you learn about the many ways the grounds have been used throughout their history. The first packard automobiles were produced in 1899, and the last detroitbuilt packard in 1956, when they built the packard predictor, their last concept car. Best hotels near packard proving grounds, shelby township. In 1929, charles lindburgh came to the facility and testdrove a packard powered airplane. The packard proving grounds, was a proving ground established in shelby charter. Packard proving grounds historic site unique wedding venue. Contact packard proving grounds in utica on weddingwire. Dedicated in 1927, the buildings at the proving grounds in utica were designed by albert kahn, and the oval test track was so well engineered that drivers could travel around the banked curves in excess of 100 mph without holding the steering wheel.
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