OK, two pics from the book that show that distinctive fence! The text that's included in the picture says
To accommodate the growing needs of the styling section, in 1956, the whole department moved from engineering to purpose-built offices in Building 128 on the northern edge of the Highland Park complex.
Dave Stragand wrote: I believe part of the discussion was the big light pole in the background being identical to those around the test track, located adjacent.
Hmmm... Dave says there was a test track at the design studio. I know there were proving grounds in Chelsea, but that's some sixty miles to the west of Highland Park, on the other side of Ann Arbor. Was there an additional test track in Highland Park?
Where is John Quinn (and his dad) when you need him?!
There was a small area at Highland Park HQ that was shielded from the Public for showing the new design vehicles to upper Mgmt. My Dad was working at HP in 1959 but vaguely remembers this shielded area. The Chelsea Proving ground back in the day had a similar area for display to the automotive press.
I went to Chelsea for the first time in 1969 for a display of 1970 model year offerings to the families of the engineers. Vehicles were trucked covered by car covers to Chelsea at night so prying eyes would not get a early scoop on the new models.
Dad was working for Ford in 1956 till he switched to Chrysler in 1959.
Denver 59 Fin Convert wrote:Ahhh, I was looking at the first picture of the FL car back in the day not the ebay pic....
Sorry Gents! I saw the broke-down '59 Plymouth in a yard with a broke-down picket fence - somewhat similar to the fence at the Highland Park Design Studio - and tried to make a joke. Comedy is not my forte!
