Notice anything missing from this picture?

Yes, that's right the North Gates and the archway are gone!

The good news is that they are being restored and will be returned soon. After hanging in place for 91 years they have gone out of alignment and suffered some significant corrosion. We're hoping they'll be back in time for the Annual Fall Open House on Sunday, October 20th.

Thanks to Mike Stevens and crew of Paint Star for getting this temporary fencing painted quickly for us, and Wendy of St. Clair Greenhouse & Florist for delivering some beautiful plants and flowers to help decorate the area.

The Packard Motor Car Foundation was awarded a grant from the Americana Foundation for this project. We'll be fundraising for the South gates very soon.

If you want to stay in touch with the PPG and receive a FREE, monthly e-newsletter, then contact Mary Anne and she will put you on the mailing list. maryanne@packardevents.com

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Hello Owen:

Actually, the 3003 bulb was not a project of PAC, but rather is was a project of Motor City Packards. Bruce Blevins approached the MCP board with the idea of reproducing the 3003 bulb, but with the requirement being that all net proceeds would go toward the restoration of the Packard Proving Grounds. He needed the board's approval to front the design and manufacturing costs for 1,000 bulbs. The board approved his request.

The bulbs were made and it took several years to sell out production to Packard and Cadillac owners. Bruce's idea resulted in a lot of happy 1933 and 1934 owners and $30,000 was sent to The Packard Proving Grounds.

The display frame Owen is talking about was in unrestored condition when it was donated to the PPG by Dr. Charles Blackman. PMCC used it as a display in in auto shows that toured the country.

Earlier this it the frame was picked up by Ole Book and he directing the restoration as a gift to the PPG.

We are very excited that this PMCC artifact will be back at the PPG very soon.

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It was a long distance racing boat and had a 300 gallon fuel tank.

The Detroit News posted an online photo essay of Gar Wood's boat racing highlights over this past weekend.

https://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/news/local/michigan-history/2015/08/11/gar-wood-detroits-speedboat-superstar/31490071/

Gar Wood's last race boat, Miss America X, is now on display at the Packard Proving Grounds courtesy of her current owner Henry Mistele.

Gar Wood has a long history with Packard and breaking world's records. His Miss America IX, with 2 Packard engines, was the first boat to reach 100 mph and Miss America X, with 4 Packard engines, was the first boat to reach 120 mph - eventually setting an all-time record of 124.91 mph.

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Hemmings has a nice article about Capt. Lionel Woolson in this weeks online newsletter - I think it is worth the read.

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2019/08/07/packard-the-captain-and-the-wavy-crank-opposed-piston-engine/comment-page-1/#comment-10655850

You may also like to know some additional facts: (1) The PMCC Collier trophy now rests in the archives at the Packard Proving Grounds - a gift from Robert and Alice Valpey. (2) Seven days after the tragic death of Capt. Woolson his ashes were scattered over the Packard Proving Grounds by Col. Jesse Vincent. (3) The aircraft hangar, were all PMCC experimental aircraft were housed still exists and can be seen at the PPG.

The PPG is currently being restored to tell the stories of Packard people such as Capt. Woolson for future generations.

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Maybe you should read this thread about 1939 to 1941 shifter linkage lockup:https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6106&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=0

Yes, it is 4 pages and takes some twists and turns, but I think you'll gain knowledge along the way. It provides several causes for lockup and how to fix it.

Hope you find it useful.

--Roger--

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This is one of the few times that a woodgrained dash would be incorrect.
That car has the multi-color interior option and that requires it to have a painted dash.
BTW, the 2-tone paint combo looks good on that car and is correct for 1941. But if you look at the before photos you'll see it was monocolor before restoration .

A Day of Remembrance for Don will be held on Sunday, August 11 from noon to 4:00 PM at the Packard Proving Grounds.

The family invites all his friends to attend this open-house event to celebrate his life, share stories and have dish of ice cream. If you have a Packard or other collector car, then so much the better if you could drive it out to the proving grounds that day.

Below is a photo the family sent to us of Don's 1948 convertible in front of a business down the street from his American Arrow business in Clawson, MI.

Read more of Don's life and his contribution to the old car hobby by clicking onto this link from today's paper.https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/mark-phelan/2019/07/19/concours-delegance-don-sommer-dies/1762424001/

Again, he was quite a guy and will be missed.

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It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Don Sommer. He passed away earlier this afternoon, Monday, July 15.

Don stood tall in the both the Packard community and old car hobby in general. He had numerous accomplishments in his life. He was the President and founder (1972) of American Arrow Corporation. American Arrow manufactures replacement mascots, parts and accessories for classic era vintage cars.

He, along with Dick Teague and other auto enthusiasts, co-founded Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance to support preservation of Meadow Brook Hall. During his tenure (1979 - 2006) the group raised $6.0 million for charity.

Don was a founding member of Motor City Packards, now the largest region of Packard Automobile Classics. For the past number of years Don was a trustee of the board of the Packard Motor Car Foundation helping to preserve the Packard Proving Grounds in (Utica) Shelby Township, MI.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and the family will announce a memorial service at a later date.

Don will be greatly missed.

Here is Don a few years ago with his 1930 740 Phaeton at the Timing Stand at the PPG

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