Roger,
These are interesting as well.

Does the Packard proving grounds till have the gas pump structure? I just remember a fence across from the timing tower.


The 2nd photo, I am guessing it is not the 25,000 mile car. I base this on the fact that there is a front fender antenna, that was not on the earlier posted pictures. I can not see a clutch, but can see the easeamatic brake pedal. This car appears to be an Ultramatic, and the article about the Taylor dealership said the car was a standard.

Some observations about what I see on this car; there is no rubber on the windshield post. There is the stainless water trough that is only on very early cars, even production ones. It is right at the corner of the wrap-around windshield trim. It connects to the trough that is on the cowl. Maybe it has been awhile, but I do not think my door locks were painted, maybe they were.

The 3rd photo is neat too. I like the clearly visible Packard clock in the timing tower? I can see power window switches on the driver side door panel. The paint on the top looks lighter than the 25,000 mile car. I wonder if this was the blue one that was used in the full line brochure? This was discussed in post #8 of this thread.https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/uploads/photos/8896.jpg The hubcaps do not appear to be the V8 ones. Looks more like the 51. There is also a hood ornament on this one as well.

Do you know this mans name?

The 4th photo, always a couple of supervisors around while others are working! How were the timing markers used? Was only by sight, or was here some kind of device that registered when going past them? Didn't someone donate one back to the proving grounds? You can also see the lift platform that was used when lifting the car o change out the tires.


The last photo, the guys looked tired!

YES, that is how I remember mine. It appears the glue does not hold on the back side!

Isn't there supposed to be a spring at the bottom of the fuel filter bowl?

Kevin,
Is the robe rail similar between the 55 400, and Caribbean? This might expand your search. If my car was closer, I would take pictures for you.

Best I can remember it is the same vinyl that was used on the door panels.

This picture caught my eye. It shows 3 and 4 "bottle openers" on these cars!

https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/uploads/photos/8896.jpg

The video I found on the Packard proving grounds was on the History Channel. It was Modern Marvels, proving grounds. It was close to the end of the program, after showig testing milatary equipment in Alaska.

It showed actual footage of late 1920's cars and 1953 or 1954 cars being put through the tests! It also showed the proving grounds before the Packard Foundation got it. WOW was it in bad shape! There was interviews with Carl Altz, and John MacAuthur, among others. It showed someones Packard being driven on the over grown track.

Still looking for the footage I remember seeing on the 25,000 mile car.

Roger,

Thank you for posting thoses pictures! They are great!

The 1st picture is after the pheasant because you can see the tape on the windshield and that one wiper is now missing! So they had duct tape back the too?

The 2nd one shows us that it did have an interior, since we can see the door panels. You can also see the radio antenna on the trunk. You can see a hand on the interior, I guess the driver was exiting, and another one was entering on the driver side. The guy by the gas pump looks like he is operating a fork lift, I guess to change all tires at once? Was this gas pump across from the timing tower, or where?

The 3rd photo. Who are the men standing next to the car, Jessie Vincent, and who? Looks like it is after the run, since the are enjoying a cool one. It also looks like the tape is gone, and the wiper blade is back. There is also something on the front strap.

The 4th photo clearly shows the wiper blade, and a screen behind the grill. It also looks like evidence on another kind of hood ornament was on the hood at one time based on the outline. Was a stap used because there was it was easier to open the hood without sticking your hand in the grill, for speed purposes? Also interesting to see all the extra lights for the road.

The last photo showers the windshield taped, and the wiper blade gone. A lot of attention to this car by these men. Very determined looks on their faces.

Esquireman,

Do you know if the Lowndes county historical society has any more pictures? It would be great if they had one of the "25,000 mile car" , so we could see better what it says on the car.

How did you add the color to the photo?

Randy & HH,

You guys are good! I did not know that you were ever supposed to throw out any Packard parts, even the bad ones! ;)