Volunteer Spotlight: Bruce Webster

More than two decades of preserving Packard history – and sharing its stories.

Finding a Home at Packard

Bruce Webster’s weekday mornings are often spent preparing notes for a Packard Proving Grounds tour or tracking the next racing weekend. A Chrysler veteran of 36 years, he discovered the Proving Grounds in 2004 through a fellow enthusiast—and stayed because it felt like home.

“I’m a Packard enthusiast,” he says, “but I’ve always been interested in the history behind the cars just as much as the cars themselves.”

The site combined his passions: automotive history, World War II heritage, and, more recently, the architectural legacy of Albert Kahn, which he grew to appreciate through his time on the grounds.

Preserving the Past

In his early years, Bruce helped reclaim the property—removing non-period fixtures, hauling out stumps, and pulling invasives. He later helped curate the site’s collection of Packards and takes pride in projects like the restoration of the towing dynamometer, calling it a “team effort.”

Bruce is deeply committed to the site’s layered history—Packard engineering, wartime production, and local heritage. He hopes to give World War II’s story a bigger stage through events and education. Even as events grow, he champions balance, ensuring the Proving Grounds remains a historic site first.

Some of his favorite memories involve Carl Altz, a Packard test driver from 1935–1956. Bruce shares Carl’s vivid stories of the track during and after the war on tours, keeping that history alive.

Life at Racing Speed

Outside the Proving Grounds, Bruce still moves at racing speed. A former amateur motorcycle racer, he now works as a Formula One scrutineer at U.S. races. Family and travel fill his calendar, and he treasures time with his children and four grandchildren.

The Next Generation

His advice for new volunteers? Talk to a veteran, find what excites you, and contribute however you can.

“This isn’t for everyone,” he says, “but almost anyone can make a good contribution. We need the next generation.”

For Bruce, the Proving Grounds is a rare combination of Packard, World War II, and community history—a mix that’s kept him coming back since 2004. His mission remains unchanged: preserve the place, tell its story, and inspire the next person who walks through the door.