Over 200 vintage cars from the first half of the 20th Century were in Orion Township last week, for the 41st Annual Packard Club Meet.
The meet was a private event, held on the grounds of the Scripps Mansion at Joslyn and Scripps Roads, owned by Guest House.
Members of the Orion Historical Society were invited to attend the event, and provided tours of the mansion.
The week-long convention was held throughout metro-Detroit, marking the 50th anniversary of the Packard automobile leaving Detroit.
On July 6, Packards on display in Orion Township included 63 cars that were judged in 14 different categories, with two special awards presented for the best pre-World War II and post-WWII Packards.
Neal Porter, a committee member who served as day chairperson for Motor City Packards, which put on the event, said it was a huge effort that involved cars from seven different countries, including cars from Europe.
‘We’ve been planning this for over four years,? he said, noting that last year’s convention was in Boston.
‘There are Packards from the teens until the time when they stopped making them,? he said. ?1956 was the last year for Packards.?
Over 500 people attended the festivities at the Scripps Mansion, which included a vintage fashion show that featured models in clothing that corresponded with the years of various Packards.
The judging of the cars, which Porter said was done at the national level, also took place, with results announced at a banquet the next day.
The judges said about half of the judged Packards were from before WWII.