Just recently I have gotten an interest in the Auto Industry that used to be one of the biggest Automotive Factors in the world in Dearborne, Michigan This is what is left of the Packard Automotive Assembly Plant in Michigan, that used to manufacture luxury cars back in the early years of the 1900s
The PPackardAssembly Plant opened in 1903. It is a 3,500,000 sq. ft. area that used the latest technology to assemble their cars. Employing thousands of craftsman, and office workers it became one of the biggest employers in the city.
This is just one of the many cars that were built there. It’s the 1950 Packard Deluxe Model. If you ever saw the movie “Raising Miss Daisy” this is one of the cars that were shown in the movie, but a different color.
Above is the 1957 Packard Carribian, that also was built there. In my personel opinion, this car was not bad looking, but back then it was expensive to buy.
From it’s early day’s, the Packard Plant was slowly going down-hill. I’m reading the one of the CEO’s bought out the Studerbaker business that used to make the Studerbaker Hawk that never did sell that good. I’m reading that many mistakes were made during it’s operation, thus contributing to the down fall of the Packard. Since it was opened for assembly in 1903, and then closed it’s doors in 1958. This left thousands of workers out of a job, and helping to create Slum areas in Dearborne, Michigan There were many other factors that helped. Back then, Detroit, was known as the “Motor City” or “Mo Town” where a number of the Rock & Roll singers came from. The Ronnetts, and the Supreme’s were just two of them.
I must take time to give credit to Abandoned America for their Images, because I’d never get to see this place for myself. I would just love to walk around these famous buildings just to experience the History that is here. I have read in reasearch that these old abandoned building’s harbor some bad things that you don’t want. Wild dogs, drugs, homeless people, and some of the structers falling apart. There have been some death’s here in the past. I’m also reading that the Plant has been sold to some developer that wants to turn it into something, but preserve the past. Other places like Flint, Michigan was another place were the Auto Industry fell apart. I am currently reading the book “The End of Detroit” and how it lost it’s grip on the American Car Market. Most people don’t realize just how close we came to loosing the Auto Industry!
If I have written some wrong information here, please correct me. Had to Post this on memory.
Thanks for stopping by.
Les
PHOTOJOURNAL OF CORKER2 
Packard contributed so much to our history, it is a shame we lost it.
Yes, that it did. I read that it was the fault of many different management decisions that started it’s demise. It is a shame!
My Dad drove a 1937 and a 1939 Packard. Of course, they were old when he got them but he was a paid auto mechanic from the age of 14 and taught auto and truck repair for the Army during World War II. He always loved well-built cars. After the Packards, (I have a picture of one of them – I’m just not sure which year) he moved to Cadillac’s. I learned to drive in a 1952 Caddy – it was 12 years old at the time. I’m not sure this will work, but here is a link to one of my posts – The Blizzard of 1940 – with a picture of the front end of a Packard. https://greatestgenerationlessons.wordpress.com/2017/11/26/special-picture-286-trumbull-house-blizzard-of-1940/
I hope you can see it. I also have another picture but couldn’t find it quickly.
Thanks for the memories.
Thank you so much for your comment. The Packard must have been a great car. It was a car that I did not know of back in the 50’s. I was born in 1947. If the Industry had not messed up, I wonder where the Packard would be today? Maybe up there with the Cadillac of today?
Les – Here is another tidbit from the childhood memories of my Aunt, Elizabeth.
We had an old Franklin touring car and I fell out of the back seat of that one. We had a Durrant and a Dodge. The Durrant: I’m not sure if the Durrant was Lad’s car later or what. I can remember a Durrant, I think it was a family car, and then, of course, we had the Packard. Lad was looking through it and discovered a hidden bottom; it must have been a rum runners car back in the prohibition days. The Packard was by far the best. Of course none of them had windows like they have today. You had to snap on the side curtains, you know, if it rained or something.
I’ve been trying to copy another picture of the Packard but I can’t get it into this comment. Sorry.
Judy – Since I will be turning 72 this March, I only can remember back when my Mother had a 1954 Buick. That’s the earlist I can remember.
Les – You are less than a year younger than I am. The only reason I remember these old cars is that I have hundreds of letters written from 1939 – 1946. My Grandfather wrote every week to his five sons scattered around the world during WWII so I have their words to add to my memory.
Judy – Again, Thank you for your reply. I enjoy talking with followers. In relation to the Greatest Generation, I’m more than sure that you know that you, I, and thousands of others have lived thru the Great Years of Rock & Roll. The music that will never be like it was back then. I listen to Rock & Roll from the 50’s & 60’s lot’s of times. Also, the great Cars of the 50’s & 60’s will never be built again like they were so long ago. The Classic Cars will never die away. I have a collection of some of them that I remember. Remember the 1956 Ford Fairlane Skyliner that had a retractable roof? I have this one and 7 or 8 others. There is so much that we lived thru and will remember always.
Fascinating bit of history, my friend. The Packard is one of my favorite classic cars of that era.
Les. very interesting story! Just one thing: the movie’s name is “Driving Miss Daisy”. 🙂
Yes, my mistake. It is Driving Miss Daisy. Not Raising Miss Daisy. Typo error. Thanks.
Vintage & world’s finest luxury automobiles. I recall the slogan “Ask the Man Who Owns One”.
Les – It is so sad that today’s cars are homogenized. I loved it when you could name the make of a car by just seeing the body shape. I live very near Lime Rock Race Track in Lakeville, CT, and throughout the summer, I see vintage cars on our local roads. I always try to figure out the model and year.
I also love the music of the 50’s and early 60’s. I can actually understand the lyrics. I believe that’s why I really like Classic Country also. The songs tell a story which I can relate too. Today’s young people have no idea what they are missing. This is one of the main reasons I BLOG every day. I want everyone to understand who the Greatest Generation were and why their lives and the time they lived is so important to know and remember. It is our history.
This is so very true. We did live in the Greatest Generation when cars were built to last. The music of the 50’s & 60’s will never die away. The music of today is just awful! It makes no seance. At least it always had a good beat and story you could understand. Little Richard, and the many others who made Rock & Roll will live on. Cruise Nights in a 1959 Chevelot Impala Convertible with R&R playing on the radio. It’s true that today’s younger generation will never know what we had.