Packard Proving Grounds, Automotive testing facility in Shelby Township, Michigan, United States.
Packard Proving Grounds is an automotive testing facility in Michigan featuring a 2.5-mile concrete oval track and several industrial buildings designed by architect Albert Kahn in 1927. The site includes workshops, administrative structures, and testing infrastructure that reflect the era's approach to vehicle development.
The site was established by the Packard Motor Car Company to test new vehicles and operated for nearly three decades. Operations shifted in 1956 when Studebaker took over the testing program in Indiana.
The site represents the evolution of American automotive manufacturing, with its Art Deco architecture and engineering facilities showcasing industrial innovation.
The property is accessible during designated seasons when guided tours are offered to visitors. It's helpful to check ahead for current tour schedules and best times to visit.
The grounds contain the original airplane hangar, repair garage, and residential lodge where staff members lived during operations. These structures reveal how the facility cared for its workers on-site.
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