The weather extremes of Michigan's four seasons added to the already challenging testing conditions. The Lodge was home to the Proving Grounds manager and family and featured three fireplaces, nine bedrooms, four bathrooms, hardwood floors, dormitories for test drivers and garage space for eight cars.Ī famous ad shows a new Packard passing through the Proving Grounds entrance gates after being picked at random from the assembly line to be tested on roads containing gravel, mud, water pits, bumps, curves, and railroad ties. On the right were the Tudor-revival Lodge and Garage buildings, painted a warm cream color that contrasted nicely with the multi-colored slate roof, red brickwork and brown trim. The driveways led to grand wrought-iron gates that opened onto lavishly landscaped grounds, rich with flowering trees, roses and other ornamental landscaping. It shaped the planted area between two driveways like the famous Packard radiator grille. Packard dedicated the $1 million Proving Grounds in 1927 and began a rigorous testing program. It began buying farmland in rural Shelby Township, Michigan and retained renowned industrial architect Albert Kahn to design and oversee the construction of a grand showplace, befitting one of the most prestigious and successful auto companies of the golden-era classic production. In 1925, The Packard Motor Car Company realized that testing their products on Detroit's streets had its limitations and that it was time to build a proper testing facility.
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