Barrington man to lead Packard club

A Barrington man, Bruce Grabenkort, has been elected regional director of Packards of Chicagoland, the club of more than 100 owners of classic Packard automobiles.

A Barrington native and 1975 Barrington High School graduate, Grabenkort will lead the nonprofit organization, which conducts educational programs and hosts meets, tours and other special events for Chicago-area classic automobile enthusiasts.

From 1899 until 1958, Detroit-based Packard Motor Car Co. manufactured premier luxury automobiles. Packard was the only independent American luxury car manufacturer to survive the Great Depression. For a period during the 1930s, Packard outsold all other luxury automobiles combined, and the cars continue to be one of the most desirable classic automobiles for collectors.