Re: Packard Factory to finally come down?

Posted by Joe Santana On 2012/3/2 10:03:30

There is an opportunity here. The local regions of PI and PAC need to get involved and raise awareness in the Detroit community that some parts of the building complex need to be preserved. The city, the library, museum and Proving Grounds could be talking tax deduction, some incentive, to Cristini to save not only a few bricks, but the portico, doors, other iconic or uncommon pieces of equipment. Restoration is what we do.

Orchestrating a demonstration, a means of calling the attention of the community to the importance of Packard, its significance in the industry, is certainly possible. Then using Packard cars to encircle city hall, caravan, or Something to get community support!

Wieden & Kennedy, the ad agency doing the "Detroit" commercials for Chrysler, is hq'd in Portland. Perhaps they can leverage this for Chrysler, leverage the demolition, but first recall, as proof of what Detroit was able to do in the past, show some great cars of the past no longer made, but Chrysler surviving...and now with the demolition there is the passing of the old giving way to a new Detroit. Some spin like that. Perhaps if Packards were used, it could pay for acquiring a few things that need to be preserved. But I think the rest of us rely on regional Packard owners/enthusiasts to take some kind of action before it's all dust.

Aren't we the ones who can look at a pile of burned out rust and see a magnificent '34 Twelve at Pebble Beach?

I'll call W&K and see how far I can get. But I hope this sparks not only some thought, but action. The weather will be getting better soon.

Joe