They Say a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words – If That’s The Case This Coverage is Worth a Gazillion: Take a few minutes and stop by The Old Motor to view a pair of shocking videos covering the situation at the Packard. In our coverage is a link to view more photos by French photographers Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre from their book “The Ruins of Detroit“. See it all @ http://theoldmotor.com/?p=105981
Dad was there in the early 50's, to get engine parts for Bob Braun's '36 Phaeton. He said the old men there looked like they were in their late 70's and still on the job. Some of his Army mechanic school instructors had been Packard men.
It a shame to see another piece of American history go away like this.
Photo of one of the Fisher Body plants above.
According to Bill McGuire from Mac's Motor City website: Detroit still is a magnificent city. The Packard plant was abandoned in 1955. It's not an example or a metaphor for any of the problems of the city but just simple economics. Detroit has a severe, long-term housing and commercial building glut because the population has been in steep decline since 1951, from 1.2M to 700K in 2012. All of those people leaving unfortunately was the reason for what we are seeing.
Is is very sad to see but it is all part of the change in life over time, learn more @ http://theoldmotor.com/?p=105981
At the time these building were constructed people lamented the lose of farmland. Once built it is very difficult for the owners to change with the changes in needs of the customers, indeed it is difficult for the workers and managers to cope with the necessary changes.
The Packard company is a typical example, what was great in 1928 was useless in 1948, that's just the way our society progresses.
We may not like change but we are all part of the process whether we like it or not. In my opinion, these buildings are not historic, they were useful sixty years ago but now the buildings are junk and should be raised.
Looking at Detroit today, it's getting harder and harder to tell who actually won WW2
Marvin Gaye's 'Hippie', peace music' is ironically fitting too.
It truly is a sad situation, if you missed it you can see the amazing story of the Packard plant here and the video @ http://theoldmotor.com/?p=105981
Can't see the video. says it's banned in my country for copyright reasons.
Tony you make a strong point- well said about progress.