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Packard Plant


Guest JT

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Randy_G

I have a lot of photos on my site of the plant as well, with any luck at all I will finally get my chance to see the old place in person this spring and I will make every attempt to get as many photos of it as I can to put on my site. Is there any one here that has some knowlege to what was built in each section and or building's I want to create a rough map of what was built where. Please e-mail me if you are out there and want to help.

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There is/was nothing left after Packard vacated the premises--not so much as a few trim clips. The only goods that still bore the Packard name were metal signs in the stairways warning the employees to "keep this stairway clear at all times". All of those are all gone now, I know of several in posh garages.

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Guest imported_Packards1

I don't have a posh garage but I do have one of the keep this stairway clear at all times signs in my basement stairway. It is fitting and has Packard Motor Car Company on the sign.

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Guest imported_Speedster

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't have a posh garage but I do have one of the keep this stairway clear at all times signs in my basement stairway. It is fitting and has Packard Motor Car Company on the sign. </div></div>

But, with one of 'Those Signs', It 'Is' a 'Posh Basement'. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You don't play in Detroit. It is a place where the meek are killed and eaten. </div></div>

I know. I grew up in Windsor and worked along the Detroit River as a game warden for several years (occasionally on the US side with a Mich. DNR Officer) and had my share of meeting some pretty tough characters. I must have had a guardian angel watching over me when I ventured into the Willis Showbar or Anderson's Gardens at Willis and Third etc. in the early 70's. I recall as a small boy going to the G.A.R. building with my grandfather <span style="font-weight: bold">at night</span> and walking along Grand River and Cass Aves.

post-44130-143137919111_thumb.jpg

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In about a year or so, "The Packard Cormorant" magazine will publish an article detailing the various buildings at 1580 E. Grand Blvd., and what they were used for. The use changed over the years, with the trucks being made in the buildings south of the Boulevard. During the mid-1930s, the Juniors were made there, and after 1939 all of the bodies were made there. After 1945, the bodies came from Briggs' Conner Avenue plant. By 1955, the Board of Directors had decided to sell the buildings on the south side of E. Grand.

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Guest bkazmer

at risk of "highjacking", why is there a Budd (the railroad car folks), not Briggs, tag in the door of my '41? The same is in a parts car door I visited, so I don't think any custom work is referenced.

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Guest Randy_G

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In about a year or so, "The Packard Cormorant" magazine will publish an article detailing the various buildings at 1580 E. Grand Blvd., and what they were used for. The use changed over the years, with the trucks being made in the buildings south of the Boulevard. During the mid-1930s, the Juniors were made there, and after 1939 all of the bodies were made there. After 1945, the bodies came from Briggs' Conner Avenue plant. By 1955, the Board of Directors had decided to sell the buildings on the south side of E. Grand. </div></div>

That sounds great , how would I get a subscription of this wonderful magazine? Thanks for your help.

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Guest Randy Berger

Randy, I think your question is sincere, so I'll answer it by saying if you join PAC, the Cormorant Magazine is included in your dues.

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The December 1954 issue of "Packard News" had an article on the Utica plant, as well as the Conner Avenue plant. The Winter 2006-07 issue of "The Packard Cormorant" (which is now at the printer) will have an overhead view of both locations.

"Mill and Factory" and "Finish" magazines both featured articles on each plant in early-1955.

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> "Mill and Factory" and "Finish" magazines both featured articles on each plant in early-1955. </div></div>

Thanks. I would like to find a copy of the 1955 Mill & Factory to go along with the issue I have from Feb 1936 that features the retooling of Packard for the 120. It goes into the different tooling, poduction times, plant layout, etc. It's a very good article.

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I was there a few weeks ago and heading back there in 10 days...I was there both during the day and at dusk. As soon as darkness falls on the Plant, you really don't want to be around it.

First off, I couldn't find a thing there that had any stuff of interest. i.e. anything with Packard on it. Granted, I wasn't able to check every room out with the security personnel there. I would also like to get a map or at least an outline as to what went on where in the plant back when it was in operation, I am looking forward to that Cormorant Magazine. I am assuming that where the security personnel are located is where the old offices are. They ran us off when we were checking out an adjacent building. I was there with my GF and a buddy, but next time I will have more people with me. Its not a place to be alone or caught off guard.

Didn't mean to ramble on, but if there is any specific pictures anyone would like, let me know and I will do what I can to get it. Also, regarding the lental, I would say that it would be very difficult to remove it without getting caught, or stabbed, robbed or something like that. Its located on a fairly busy road during the day, and at night, well, there are some people that hang around there that I would like not to meet.

Also, if there is someone in Detroit that would like to come along, zap me a note and we can meet up. I am planning on trailering my 120 to Detroit for the Dream Cruze in August this year. I am going to take some pictures of it in front of the plant, as well as at the proving grounds.

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Guest Randy_G

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Randy, I think your question is sincere, so I'll answer it by saying if you join PAC, the Cormorant Magazine is included in your dues. </div></div>

Thank you Randy, I'll see what it takes to join up right I click "enter"

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The Utica factory that Packard spent $27 million to convert for production of its engines, transmission and rear axles was used by Curtiss-Wright?s new Utica Bend organization for defense work. The V-8 cylinder head manufacturing machinery was transported to South Bend, where it was stored. S-P spent $200,000 to move the rest of the equipment to East Grand Boulevard. In 1957 the engine machinery was sold for $200,000.

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Aaahh, my favorite Packard subject revisited. This should be the year, later in the early Fall, when I get to go to the mecca of greater Detroit. The last word I had, when I created a post about a year ago, was that guards would not allow admittance to the plant. IF they would, I am sure I could spend quite a bit of time there, even though it is not beautiful anymore.

It would be nice to have a map of the significant offices and plant locations. I would also like to visit the Packard Motel and the cemetary. It's too bad these neighborhoods are so dangerous. The barren industrial wasteland of inner Detroit, in itself, would be a starnge sight to a midwesterner as myself.

As the day draws near I will take some of you up on assistance, as I hope to take in as many purely Detroit and automotive sights as possible. It still burns me that the Fisher home is a Hare Krishna shrine, not open to the public <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

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Guest imported_Speedster

I'm Sorry, but I've never understood how gutted old buildings can hold such a facination, for some people. Sure the history of the Packard company (and History in general) are very interesting, but to look at those buildings makes Me sad and depressed. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Now, if someone started producing cars in those buildings again, that I would want to see. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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3jakes--$20 cash will get you in the plant, it's that way every day. This is the benefit program for the $7.25/hr security guards. It's a two-gun neighborhood, about as bad as you could design for Detroit, and that says a lot. The Fisher mansion is open for tours, the krishnas are good tour guides and soft pedal their beliefs to the point of just mentioning that they are are all followers, then they point to a stack of phamphlets on a table and say "if you want to know more about the Krishna faith, feel free to take one of these"

(far less insulting than some of my bible-thumping co-workers). It's a cool tour. Go to the Edsel and Elinor Ford home, Meadowbrook hall, the Henry Ford (museum), the Walter P. Chrysler museum.

Contact me before hand, I might be able to get you into a couple of private collecctions.

email me here, or 56packman@twmi.rr.com

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mrpushbutton-

You must know I had you in mind when I said I would look up assistance once the dates got closer. I kind of figured, but couldn't actually tell, that $20 'tip' would get me in. Sure hope inflation does not hit too hard by this fall. Also good to hear about the Fisher Mansion tour. I tried and tried to figure that information out by visiting the website and I just couldn't tell, so I gave up and figured it was not open to the public.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Regarding the Proving Grounds...there is no one there on a regular basis...my GF and I went about a month ago, and everything is locked up...its cool to look in the windows and take a few photographs. We did not venture out to where the timing stand was, for fear of getting in trouble. There is a decent Restaurant right next door to the Proving Grounds called the Packard Bar and Grill. Has a 38' out front with some cool ad's and art on the walls inside. I am flying into Detroit tomorrow but spending most of the weekend on the Western side of the state. If we can get back to Detroit a little early on Sunday, we will do "a visit" to the plant on our way to the Airport. My next trip back to Detroit will be in 2 weeks, after that trip, I should have a ton of photos of the inside of the plant.

Don

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