A Day to Remember at the Fall Open House

On October 20, 2024, the Packard Proving Grounds welcomed car enthusiasts, families, and community members to their Annual Fall Open House, and it was an event that exceeded all expectations. With perfect weather setting the stage, the day was filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories.
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Packard Rosies on the Homefront

On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, leading France and Great Britain to declare war against Germany. Thus began WWII.  America was hesitant to get involved after suffering many losses during the Great War, enduring the Spanish Flu, and still struggling through the Great Depression.
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Packard’s Popular Patrician

Packard produced only one four-door Senior Sedan in 1956 and that was the Patrician. Its factory introduction was held on November 3, 1955.

The Patrician’s body styling included a redesigned grille that had a mesh-type insert with a gridwork of vertical and horizontal chrome bars placed against it. The headlight hoods were extended to give a brow look. And, the bumper guards were moved directly under the headlights.

The Packard Powered Miss America X

The first thing that one will notice upon entering our museum at the Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site is the 38’ by 10’, eight-ton race boat built by racing legend Garfield Arthur Wood. Its impressive size with four huge Packard engines jutting out of the top instantly draws you in to take a closer look. This race boat represents a significant piece of our local history and is significant to world history in terms of what an advancement it was in mechanical power.
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Work to Win; Honoring Our Packard Rosies

President Franklin D. Roosevelt established a War Production Board (WPB) in January 1942, just a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The newly developed board allocated resources, implemented price controls, and set production quotas to encourage workers to produce more goods during the war. Packard and its employees took it to heart as their duty to do all they could to help their soldiers fighting overseas.
Packard paint - Amethyst

Perking Up Packard with a Penchant for Paint

Edward James Paul Cunningham, the young manager of the trim and color styling studio for Packard, introduced this unique and stylish Carnation with Amethyst scheme for a limited number of Pacific hardtops. He joined Packard at the age of 24 in 1952 with a mission to encourage Packard into adopting brighter, trendier colors.

Explore Your Local Heritage: Passport Programs and Beyond

When it comes to exploring the richness in our world, it's easy to overlook the hidden gems in our own backyard. Luckily, there are passport programs that encourage us to become tourists in our local area, fostering a deeper appreciation for the heritage and history around us. Let's delve into three remarkable passport programs that offer unique adventures for those keen on exploring and learning more about the past.

The Road to Pebble Beach

In the world of automotive elegance and heritage, few events rival the prestige of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This year, I had the privilege of speaking with Mark Smucker, the president of the Packard Motor Car Foundation, who achieved an impressive 3rd place in his class at this renowned competition.
Captain Lionel Melville Woolson in a suit, sitting with his arms crossed on his lap

Chief Aeronautical Engineer Captain Lionel Woolson

Born in Los Angeles, Woolson made his way to Detroit to eventually become an engineer for the Packard Motor Car Company. He developed aircraft engines that were used in several record-breaking speed planes.