Packard Proving Grounds Fall Open House

This doesn’t fit into the Hudson niche but I have a soft spot for fellow orphans, especially the Packard brand. On October 18th I had the opportunity to tour the Packard Proving grounds. This was one of those unexpected adventures; in fact I didn’t even have the camera with me. I knew my wife and I would pass the grounds on our way to the apple orchard but I didn’t expect the welcoming sign of a Free tour and classic car show to call to us. There was no question about it, I turned the Escape around and in we went.

The tour began in the Lodge garage, engine displays were scattered around the space and a history channel special on Packard was projected on the wall to entertain guests. Next stop was the private quarters of the director of the grounds and the dorm rooms for visiting engineers. These spaces are still under renovation and have a long way to go before proper museum like displays can be set up. Never the less, pictures of the people that lived and worked there were hung on the walls. One could almost here the echo of the voices and rumble of the motors on the distant track. From the Lodge we crossed the courtyard to the Repair Shop. In there among the dealer chassis displays and donated project cars, friends of the proving grounds were holding a bake sale. The smells of burnt rubber and motor oil maybe gone but the warm smell of cider and donuts is a pleasant change. Directly behind the repair shop is the Engineering Building. The largest of the structures, it remains relatively empty except for a project car and some scattered parts. Upon entering, we noticed a small group of people peeking into what appeared to be an old testing room of some kind. Within this room locked away safely is the main entrance from the Packard plant in Detroit, apparently awaiting a new home some where on the grounds. Old doors, windows, key stones and columns all numbered and stacked surround the chiseled header stone. PACKARD it read, yet another reason to have a camera in the car at all times.

Up both sides and down the middle, the grand boulevard displayed cars from the 30's into the 70's. The lodge court yard was almost like a time machine, once again filled with Packard folks bustling around sticking heads beneath hoods and talking shop. Several service vehicles were present; a vintage fire engine offered little and "big" kids rides up and down the show field, with sirens and bells blazing. A late 40's Packard hearse was offering rides as well but there were no takers. We completed our tour with the show, exited the main gate and went on to the orchard happy with this unexpected automotive treat.

For history, photos or to learn about the Packard Motor Car Foundation visit:
http://www.packardmotorfdn.org/

Article by Glenn Hickey