Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I am writing a biography of former Packard employee Vincent D. Kaptur (Sr) for a collector magazine.

The late Mr. Kaptur worked at Packard from 1919 to 1928, in roles variously described as a body engineer, body designer and, by 1928, chief body designer. He may have also briefly worked at Packard between 1916 and mid-1917, as a "mechanical draftsman." He was a proficient illustrator and some of his drawings may have appeared in company literature.

His descendants say he recalled working under Col. Vincent and that he became acquainted with Gordon Buehrig and Werner Gubitz while at Packard.

Mr. Kaptur is best known for pioneering General Motors' body sharing program in the early 1930s. He joined the GM Art & Colour Section in November 1928 and was instrumental in developing GM production body designs until his retirement in 1956.

I'm wondering if any reader has noted surviving Packard documents that mention Mr. Kaptur? He might be named in a memo, company phone book, or other document issued during the period he was at Packard. Such listings could could help us verify his titles and construct a time-line of his responsibilities while he was at Packard.

Any information or leads will be most appreciated.

Thank you.

I went on Ancestry.com and looked for records for Mr. Kaptur hoping to find a Family tree to get a contact name for a son, daughter, or grandchild. There were no Family Trees that were posted. However, there is a 2002 phone book listing for "Vincent D Kaptur". This may be a son or grandson. The address is 5882 Blandford Rd., Broomfield Hills, Michigan, 48302-4027. Phone (area code have changed) of 248-644-2669.

I would call and or write. If he is a relative, he may have information or family stories to tell.

Good Luck

Edit added:

Go tofindagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=38633722 someone out there cares & knows of him. Click on hyperlink for Joseph F. Martin who posted the page

Hi

Michael Lamm in his book, co-authored with Dave Holls, A Century of Style: 100 Years of American Car Design notes Kaptur's many contributions. You may want to contact him for biographical information he may have gleaned during his research.

Steve

Thank you for the responses. I have now obtained a transcript of a 1980 Michael Lamm interview with Mr. Kaptur, in which his Packard experience is discussed.