Hello Brett,
Sent you a PM
--Roger--

Hello Garrett,

JW gave some good advice on how to find things on this website.

Here is a link to the page that may be helpfulhttps://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/1928_PackardEight443FactsBook.pdf Scroll down to page 25 for paint color for open and closed cars. Color choice seems limited to me.

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Hello Leeedy, Good to hear from you.

So what has happened at the plant? You mean besides the bridge over EGB left to rot and falling in the middle of EGB? Next to nothing. Most of the clean up and debris removal is being done by day-labors with shovels, brooms and wheelbarrows, not mechanised equipment. Meanwhile, the City continues to tear down out-buildings on Packard parcels not sold to Fernando Palazuelo during the tax sale.

Leeedy to you and all other Packard lovers I extend a warm welcome to visit the Packard Proving Grounds about 22 miles north of the Plant. We have been shut down since March 12th and would enjoy your company. Besides, we need the income to pay some bills.

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If asked, they would tell you they reduced is tax bill. But that mayor is now sitting in prison serving a 28 year sentence for running a criminal enterprise. And no one is asking him.

This is a sad story.

Dominic Cristini, former owner of the PMCC Plant on EGB has died from cancer at the age of 61. Attached is an article from the Detroit News. Dominic fought the City of Detroit and won in court, but then lost it all.

This all began in the mid-1990s. Dominic was buying the PMCC building from the title holder/seller in what is known as a "land contract" - a form of seller financing. Seller holds title to the property while the buyer makes mortgage payments to them. Dominic's payment to the seller is principal, interest and real estate taxes. The seller is supposed to forward the tax money to the City and keep the title clear of tax liens. But that did not happen - instead the seller pocketed the money and tax liens piled up unbeknownst to Dominic.

Meanwhile, Dominic has over 90 tenants in the building producing a gross (before expenses/taxes) revenue of about $1.0 million annually. He spends some of the rent proceeds to repair the buildings, create more rental space and thus more rental income. At this point in time, the lobby and executive areas are nearly untouched - looking much as a time capsule from the 1950s.

But downtown, the tax liens are sent to the Legal Department for enforcement and foreclosure. This is where the City screwed up - they never did a simple title search before starting foreclosure. This would have revealed that Dominic had an ownership interest and been given a chance to clear up the tax problem, but that never happened. Instead, the City (illegally) sent in the Gang Squad to physically remove all the tenants. You may know Don Sommer of American Arrow - he was one of the tenants ordered out by the police. Worse yet was the City began demolition on parts of the building until that was stopped by court order. But the damage was done. The building was open the vandals, scrappers, and the elements.

Dominic fought this in court and won every time. The City would appeal and lose. Dominic would win monetary arbitration awards and the City would refuse to pay, appeal, and lose. The City demanded their taxes be paid and Dominic would counter with, "... you threw out my tenants, you damaged my buildings, you took away my livelihood - take the taxes from the arbitration award you owe me!" And the City would stall - to wait him out while his legal bills climbed.

Then Dominic screwed up big time. Don't for a second think I condone what he did. Dominic started to deal drugs. He was caught and spent 4 years in prison. Now he had zero chance of paying the taxes, the legal bills and regaining his property. His girlfriend committed suicide. In the end, the City won out.

Don't believe it? This was all shown in a documentary titled "Packard - The Last Shift" produced by Brian Kaufman, a photo-journalist with the Detroit Free Press newspaper.https://www.freep.com/story/news/documentaries/2019/04/02/packard-last-shift-free-press-documentary/3343452002/

Link to the article:https://www.detroitnews.com/story/obituaries/2020/06/11/former-packard-plant-owner-who-fought-city-property-dead-61/5342399002/

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I have had very good service with AC Delco M8 plugs.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/acdelco-2729/ignition---tune-up-16776/spark-plug-12874/b14eb31b13d7/acdelco-spark-plug/m8/2492758

The M designation is meant for marine application and has the period correct black oxide finish - not bright cadmium. Price is fair too - less than $3 each. YMMV.

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In the early 1940s the Detroit bike licenses were stamped with the year of registration. One would suspect the license was renewed annually.

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Photo restorer Patty Allison of Imbued With Hues of Portland, Maine did this colorized version.

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Hello JW,

You posted those renderings 10 years ago and I thought I would give you and update.

That 1952 rendering by Van Deventer is part of the Walter Miller Automobilia Collection Part 1 auction by Eagles Corp International set for May 19 - Lot # 178.

Opening bid is $700 with an auction estimate of $1,400 to $2,500. There is a 30% bidders' premium.

--Roger--

Hmmm... I got the Sarasota Firefighter's Benevolent Fund and info about a chili cookoff.