Shelby Charter Township in Shelby Township in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Extreme Testing
The Packard Endurance Runs
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
1. Extreme Testing: The Packard Endurance Runs Marker
Packard combined luxury and quality
like no other automobile. The Packard Motor Car Company continually tested its products, even under extreme conditions. Two 25,000-mile tests were run here on the Packard Proving Grounds track, one in 1935 testing the Packard Super Eight automobile. In another 25,000-mile run in the fall of 1954 to test the new V-8 engine, a car was driven day and night, stopping only for fuel, tires, and driver changes.
You Auto Know
After the 1954 run was completed, the car was admired by customers in visits to Packard showrooms across the country.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.
Location. 42° 39.682′ N, 83° 2.297′ W. Marker is in Shelby Township, Michigan, in Macomb County. It is in Shelby Charter Township. Marker can be reached from North Proving Grounds Boulevard. Marker is at the end of North Proving Grounds Boulevard in the former Packard Proving Grounds, about 0.25 miles west of Van Dyke Avenue. There is no street sign for North
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Made for Speed (a few steps from this marker); Packard Takes Flight (within shouting distance of this marker); In Times of War (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Quality First" (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Vincent Family (approx. 0.2 miles away); Base of Operations (approx. 0.2 miles away); Packard Proving Grounds (approx. 0.2 miles away); Packard Motor Car Company / Packard Proving Grounds (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shelby Township.
Image courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
2. Extreme Testing: The Packard Endurance Runs Marker - left image
Many checks are made on the car during this night-time pit stop in the 1954 endurance run.
Image courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
3. Extreme Testing: The Packard Endurance Runs Marker - center image
During the 1954 endurance run, a pheasant flew through the windshield and in this photo test track personnel check the plexiglass replacement windshield.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
4. Extreme Testing: The Packard Endurance Runs Marker - upper right image
Officials watch as a crew refuels the car during the 1954 25,000-mile endurance run.
Photo courtesy of The Packard Motor Car Foundation.
5. Extreme Testing: The Packard Endurance Runs Marker - lower right image
After the 1954 endurance run, the engine and transmission showed no signs of wear after continuous driving for 10 days at an average of 104.74 mph.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
6. Extreme Testing: The Packard Endurance Runs Marker
View looking toward the southwest, with the timing stand and a portion of the test track in the background.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2019
7. Extreme Testing Marker
View looking to the west along North Proving Grounds Boulevard. This marker is at the end of the road, just to the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 202 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
