In 1929, charles lindburgh came to the facility and testdrove a packard powered airplane. Rumble a field near the packard proving grounds caught fire in shelby township. Given the historic nature of our meeting location, we are dedicated to preserving and enhancing the radio tradition of the packard proving grounds. Packard proving grounds, shelby charter township, michigan. Green, stately elm trees line the grand entrance boulevard at the packard proving grounds. It is listed in the national register of historic places. Meanwhile, several old car enthusiasts and members of the shelby township historical commission banded together to submit proposals.
With an industrial style and rustic accents, you have the freedom to create your own unique event. Packard proving grounds historic site, shelby township, mi. The studebaker proving grounds an aerial postcard illustration of what studebaker flaunted at the time as their million dollar proving grounds. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. According to roger luksik, vice president of the packard motor car foundation, the twostory timing stand was already restored once in 2004, but. In this new, full color history of packard veteran oldcar writer patrick foster details the glory of the fabulous packard automobiles and analyses what caused the company to fail. Pedestrian gate at the packard proving grounds historic site in shelby twp, mi metro detroit proving.
Archival blackandwhite photographs, stunning new color photos, and a thorough and wellresearched text guide you through packards stylish lineup. Visitors will also get a look at what remains of packards proving grounds, which saw the development of some of the worlds finest cars, a runway for. Cars, used by millionaires, famous rich people, for example, such as nicholas ii and stalin. The packard proving grounds in shelby township michigan. Founded in 1976, the objective of motor city packards is the promotion and preservation of the packard motor car heritage and use of the packard. The company was one of the first in 1926, when they built this facility on 840 acres of land in new carlisle, in. All donations to the packard motor car foundation are taxdeductible to the full extent permitted by law. Packard proving grounds shelby township 2020 all you. Information on this historic site and the preservation committees work restoring it to. Our organization thrives from the caring and giving individuals in the community that enjoy donating their time.
Packard proving grounds celebrates 90 years of history. Visitors will also get a look at what remains of packards proving grounds, which saw the development of some of the worlds finest cars, a runway for aircraft development, wwii tanks and. While not used now, they are hoping to turn this facility. See more ideas about proving grounds, historical sites and acre. View all attractions near packard proving grounds on tripadvisor. The price reflects the engine repair to be completed by the new owner.
The packard proving grounds, was a proving ground established in shelby charter. Mar 29, 2016 the packard proving grounds testing validates the motorcar march 29, 2016 packard, one of the most respected automakers in the world at the time decided in the late 1920s to construct the packard proving grounds, a testing facility on a 500plus acre plot in 1927 located twenty miles north of detroit, mi. Dec 07, 2016 the packard proving grounds are located at 49965 van dyke ave. 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. The packard proving grounds testing validates the motorcar. The trees are only 20 years old, but these elms of honor are an important part of the sites history. Packard proving grounds historic site packard proving. Packard proving grounds shelby township the proving grou. After making the first purchases of the year at the gift shop, we drove the pilot cars to the engineering test facility in manitou springs, where they were then parked to await the arrival of another similar group of engineers who would resume the pilot production test drive up pikes peak and back to the milford proving grounds. I am a volunteer with the shelby township historical committee and a volunteer event photogapher for the packard motor car foundation. Come explore the lodge building and garage as you learn about the many ways the grounds have been used throughout their history. Packard proving grounds plans timing stand restoration.
It now appears to be used for a variety of things, but the oval is still visible. The styling division at packard completes the design of the 1957 packard, but it will never. Proving grounds, guest books, historical sites, rustic, creative, wedding. Automobile proving ground a location equipped for testing automobiles. Many european companies also built automobile proving grounds. Packard proving grounds shelby township the proving. The packard proving grounds testing validates the motorcar march 29, 2016 packard, one of the most respected automakers in the world at the time decided in the late 1920s to construct the packard proving grounds, a testing facility on a 500plus acre plot in 1927 located twenty miles north of detroit, mi. The proving grounds at this location originally opened in 1927. Linas montlherj france in 192425, motor industry research association mira, in england in 194950, and others.
Packard proving grounds detroit historical society. Information on this historic site and the preservation committees work. Click the photo above to see more of how she washes the dust away. This photograph, taken in the summer of 1932, is from the roberta vincent mocabee collection. This is a rare opportunity to own a massive packard fourdoor convertible for far less than the cost of a concours restoration. Studebaker proving ground topic of exhibit history. The leading authority on amc and its predecessors, pat has written several books on that subject along with many others, including jeep, studebaker, hudson, kaiserfrazer, and metropolitan. Packard proving grounds lodge, photo by sibylle basel, casting shadow photography sibylle says that photograph is a great art that washes away the dust of every day life. Packard proving grounds historic site home facebook. A pictorial history of americas first auto proving grounds. The big gun is a lengthy, fascinating read about the earliest days of aberdeen proving ground. The shelby township historical committee is managing renovations at the packard proving grounds. The historical path of the packardin 1899, james packard built his first car.
An aerial postcard illustration of what studebaker flaunted at the time as their million dollar proving grounds. Packard proving grounds in 1925, the packard motor car company retained renowned industrial architect albert kahn to design and oversee construction of a grand showplace. The proving grounds are located in shelby township between 22 and 23 mile roads on the west side of van dyke. Motor city packards is one of the largest and most active chapters of the packard club, an organization that was formed fifty years ago. The first automobile proving ground was built in 1924 by general motors in milford, usa. Packard proving grounds wins honor for preservation efforts. May 30, 2018 the packard proving ground is at 49965 van dyke ave. Automobile proving ground article about automobile proving. 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.
Welcome to the packard proving grounds historic site. The shelby farmers market is filled with local produce and products, all. 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. Published in 1919, the big gun chronicles the startup and operation of apgs test mission during world war 1. This facility is the cite of the packard motor company proving grounds.
Roberta is standing, with help from jim loucks, in front of her home, the gate lodge at the packard proving grounds in shelby township. The property was purchased by ford after packard went out of business. The packard proving grounds in shelby township michigan in. Classic packard cars check out tripadvisor members 1,049 candid photos and videos of packard proving grounds. The packard motor car company began building a proving ground on this site in 1926. Designed by dont you know it albert kahn, the steelframed. In 2002, ford gifted the seven acres of land containing the grand entrance gates, the lodge, the garage, the elevated water storage tank, and the chrysler defense building to. Today we are in macomb county, shelby township to be exact, visiting the packard proving grounds historic site. What differentiates this venue from other wedding venues. While not used now, they are hoping to turn this facility into a museum.
The packard proving grounds amateur radio club was founded on may 21st, 20. The address of the packard proving grounds is 49965 van dyke ave. Who had the single cylinder engine, with a capacity of up to 12 horsepower, and he looked like a light selfpropelle. Gear head tuesday attempts at a packard revival over the. The third daughter of packard proving grounds manager charles vincent, bobbie spent her first 10 years at the proving grounds and has many fond memories of living there see pages 9698 in the book. The studebaker proving grounds, in this aerial photo taken in december 1963, around the time of. A history of the motorcar and company an automobile.
Fun at an historic place with good displays, helping to preserve and explain history. Former gm stylist dennis burke rendered this update of a 21st series club coupe. Car is available for inspection at the packard proving grounds. A history of the motorcar and company an automobile quarterly library series book. The shelby farmers market is filled with local produce and products, all located on the proving grounds. Field near packard proving grounds catches fire in shelby. The studebaker proving grounds, in this aerial photo taken in december 1963, around the time of the companys plant closing in south bend. The lodge was designed by albert kahn who also designed the packard factory in detroit, one of the first reinforced concrete buildings in the u. The packard proving grounds historic site is looking for smiling faces and helping hands.
A history of the motorcar and company an automobile quarterly library series book kimes, beverly r. In 1927 the packard motor car company began constructing a testing facility on 560 acres of farmland in shelby twp. Packard proving grounds shelby township 2020 all you need to. Cars then were being tested on public roads, sloan recalled in his 1963 classic, my years with general motors, and there was no easy way of telling whether the test driver had pulled up at the side of the road, taken a nap, and then driven faster than the test schedule called for to make up the necessary mileage. Who had the single cylinder engine, with a capacity of up to 12 horsepower, and he looked like a light self. Storybook romance meets industrial charm at the packard proving grounds for an ideal, oneofakind wedding celebration. This group has been created to invite flickr members to display their best images of the historic packard proving grounds site in shelby township, michigan. During world war ii, chryslers defense department tested the durability of tanks here on the looping testing tracks. This car surpassed many of the cars of their time in quality and design.
Foster has spent over 30 years studying the automotive industry. Regarding the question of the ppg having the worlds fastest track it is true. Packard proving grounds shelby charter township, michigan. The company was one of the first in 1926, when they built this facility on 840 acres of land in new carlisle, in, nearby to south bend, which was their home.
American car books amc studebaker nash jeep packard. The packard proving ground is at 49965 van dyke ave. The packard motor car company employees search packard. Detroits rich automotive and manufacturing history spreads far beyond the city limits. Neal the sequel to packards at speed contains the complete history of the inception, design, production and use of all the nonautomotive engines of the packard motor car company. Once again, the lodge at the packard proving grounds is the backdrop for the car inspiring the update. The packard proving grounds historic site invites everyone to enjoy the annual spring open house on sunday, april 25, 2010, from 1 p. Oct 09, 20 this photograph, taken in the summer of 1932, is from the roberta vincent mocabee collection. Media in category packard proving grounds the following 3 files are in this category, out of 3 total. The packard proving grounds, was a proving ground established in shelby charter township, michigan in 1927 by the packard motor car company of detroit. Packard proving grounds reception venues shelby township, mi. Packard continued to use the property until 1958, it was then sold to curtisswright, who in turn sold it to ford motor company in 1961.
Packard proving grounds is a reception venue in shelby township, mi. Better known by the public as test tracks, the proving grounds became a source of. In subsequent years new testing areas and installations were added to it. The packard proving grounds are located at 49965 van dyke ave. At least on exhibition race was run here and leon duray ran a 148.
The packard proving grounds the remains of which are now called the packard proving grounds gateway complex, was a proving ground established in shelby charter township, michigan in 1927 by the packard motor car company of detroit. Packard proving grounds historic site that features rustic, vintage circa 1928. The packard motor car foundation is a 501c3 organization and everyone working on the restoration of the site is an unpaid volunteer. If you are looking for something that is both fun and rewarding, please fill out an application and submit it for approval.
Packard proving grounds historic site unique wedding venue. Upcoming events packard proving grounds historic site. I am a volunteer with the shelby township historical committee and a volunteer event photogapher for the packard motor car. Thanks for spreading the word about the history of the packard 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. Dedicated in 1927, the buildings at the proving grounds in utica were designed by albert kahn, and the oval test track was so wellengineered that drivers could travel around the banked curves in excess of 100 mph without holding the steering wheel. One of americas bestknown automotive writers, patrick r. Automobile proving ground article about automobile. Come explore the lodge building and garage as you learn about the many ways the grounds have been used throughout. Jul 17, 2017 these are the buildings that are located at the 14 acre packard proving grounds historical site in shelby twp, mi. May 23, 2007 the shelby township historical committee is managing renovations at the packard proving grounds and has some great information and old photos about the site including the text from the front and back of the michigan historical marker. Packard proving grounds venue, shelby charter township. 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. Classic packard cars picture of packard proving grounds. History of the packard motor car company and the packard proving grounds. The lodge was home to proving grounds manager charles vincent and his family, with the start of wwii, the family left the lodge in 1942. The local automotive history site sits atop 14 acres of green lawns and blooming trees, which accentuates the charming buildings with original slate roofs expertly designed by albert kahn. A husky and squirrel have become the best of friends.
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