Shelby Charter Township in Shelby Township in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
"Quality First"
The Packard Motor Car Company
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
1. "Quality First": The Packard Motor Car Company Marker
Packard is remembered and celebrated
by people around the world. No company sold more luxury cars between 1925 and 1942, and the distinctive tombstone-shaped grill was a company trademark. The Packard Motor Car Company was originally founded in 1899 by brothers William D. and James W. Packard in Warren, Ohio. But by 1903 Detroit was becoming the "Motor City," and the brothers moved the company to a new factory complex on East Grand Boulevard. The company produced fine automobiles there until June 1956. The Packard Proving Grounds were the primary testing facility for one of the greatest American automakers.
You Auto Know
Packard merged with Studebaker in 1954 and the last Packard automobile was produced in South Bend, Indiana in 1958.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1956.
Location. 42° 39.686′ N, 83° 2.091′ W. Marker is in Shelby Township, Michigan, in Macomb County. It is in Shelby Charter Township. Marker is on North Proving
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Vincent Family (a few steps from this marker); Base of Operations (a few steps from this marker); Packard Proving Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); Packard Motor Car Company / Packard Proving Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); In Times of War (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Packard Takes Flight (approx. 0.2 miles away); Extreme Testing (approx. 0.2 miles away); Made for Speed (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shelby Township.
Also see . . . Packard. Wikipedia article about the car company. (Submitted on August 6, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
2. "Quality First": The Packard Motor Car Company Marker - left image
Golfing legend Gene Sarazen poses beside a 1932 Packard Twin Six convertible sedan at the Packard Proving Grounds. Packard quality and luxury was appreciated by world leaders, famous athletes and Hollywood celebrities.
3. "Quality First": The Packard Motor Car Company Marker - center image
A 1940 Packard convertible sedan at the Proving Grounds.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
4. "Quality First": The Packard Motor Car Company Marker - upper right image
The Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit, about 1915.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
5. "Quality First": The Packard Motor Car Company Marker - middle right image
The first Packard automobiles were built in an area of this Packard Electric Company building in Warren, Ohio.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
6. "Quality First": The Packard Motor Car Company Marker - lower right image
James Ward Packard driving the Model E in 1902.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
7. "Quality First": The Packard Motor Car Company Marker
This marker is the one on the right, next to the gate on North Proving Ground Boulevard.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 6, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
