My experiences of a visit to Melbourne and Geelong last week...

[BlueOvalPrint]

My 14 year old son is a mad Ken Block fan, so we flew to Melbourne on Saturday to check out his Gymkhana World Tour at Calder Park. Good, fun day, lots of action, shame there was no meet and greet sessions for the public – just for the corporates on the infield. Ford parked up a few bog standard Fiestas and FPVs out the front but no-one was there to give out info or take enquiries. And man, how rundown is Calder Park these days – seems like the local developers are just waiting for Bob Jane to drop off the perch so they can snap up the land to squeeze in more McMansions side-by-side like Oran Park.

The next day was a drive to check out the AGP track and then down to Geelong for a visit of the Ford Discovery Centre. The Centre did a pretty good job of presenting Ford’s local history over the years and had some very tasty exhibits – especially a very genuine, unrestored Vermillion Fire Phase 3 HO. Wondered why there was a plain Jane white EB Falcon GL wagon on display til I saw that it was an engineering prototype with 7 seats (not such a big deal) and a coil sprung/Watts link rear end. Lots of cool memorabilia there too and the gift shop had a fair bit less stock in it after we’d left. I’d suggest though that they should refresh many of the displays that feature AU bodies and mechanicals – not only do they show the exhibit’s age, but it’s hardly a period to remind visitors of quality design and engineering prowess.

After lunch in town we then headed back past the Ford engine plant and the stamping factory. We stopped for photos and a bit of a look around; in some ways wish I hadn’t. Although it was a Sunday, the whole place just had the feel about it of immanent death – the signs on the front are looking tired, the surrounds look like it is being run down, and apart from a new Territory billboard you’d be hard pressed to know what a major role the place has (and has had) in Australian manufacturing. I was really depressed to get back in our rented “Australian made” and big-selling Cruze chock full of shipped-from-Korea bits designed and built with not a hint of any ambition other than to be adequate. For all the knocking of Ford that goes on in this place (and I’ve been guilty of it too – mainly at a retail level) at least over the years they have brought so much innovation and even some driving fun to the average punter. On the plus side though, the time in the Cruze reminded me of what a completely brilliant car my G6ET is…

Keeping my fingers crossed for everone in the Ford family both at Geelong and Broadmeadows. Top work guys!

[EDManual]

Nice story! yep Calder is a bit derelict, especially the thunderdome and all roads and tracks around the circuit, but for the circuit which is ok (but hopeless on the main straight after drags when raining).

At the geelong ford factory, there are lots of newer areas in behind what you see from the highway.

[sprint347dave]

Any Pics?

[FalconForce]

when i drive past the factory in Campbellfield all i can think of is fords end and on the other hand drive past the holden complex in port melbourne and it looks very modern

[THE CADBURY KID]

Does the young bloke have a 1/16 traxxas ken block brushless car?

[Ducati888]

It's kinda funny in a way. I worked at Ford in Geelong in 1989 as a Mig Welder, first off making front seat frames for EA Falcons and also Capris. I then moved on to the K-Frame line and welded up those for a few months before I left in Feb 1990 to go to Uni.

Even back then the mood was of imminent death, people within used to say that in ten years they would not have a job.

Here we are 22 years later. Half the plant has closed, Product Engineering is no longer there, but the place is still alive. Maybe it will take another 20 years to shut it down, or maybe it will get a new lease of life because the government loves to throw money at businesses when they threaten to go overseas.

I also worked at the Geelong Alcoa plant, from 1992 - 1994, and they all said they'd be lucky to last ten years as well.

[nommic]

Originally Posted by Ducati888

Here we are 22 years later. Half the plant has closed, Product Engineering is no longer there, but the place is still alive.

Product Engineering moved to a brand new building on un-used land behind the plant - it is now called the Research & Development Centre.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=north+...12,183.77,,0,0

Lots of new/updated facilities in there - engine lab, test engineering, proto shop, tear-down, and it is the home of Chassis and Powertrain engineering (Interior, Exterior and Electrical are based in Broadmeadows). You will also find lots of new buildings and facilities out at the PG.

[Ducati888]

Well that's good news.

[Simple6]

Originally Posted by BlueOvalPrint

Wondered why there was a plain Jane white EB Falcon GL wagon on display til I saw that it was an engineering prototype with 7 seats (not such a big deal) and a coil sprung/Watts link rear end.!

That suspension setup sounds good - wonder why they didn't put that in production? Apart from the obvious load capacity benefits of Leafs.

[Ray Bell]

Was there anything there (perhaps a history of the place) that indicated when Ford began casting Falcon blocks in Australia?

[Trevor 57]

Ray, the Ford Discovery Centre has now closed

http://www.forddiscovery.com.au/

[Ray Bell]

I realise that, otherwise I would have my answer...

I do need to know when Ford Australia began casting Falcon blocks.

[Trevor 57]

I believe the XR was the first model with the Aussie 6 cylinder block, so about 1966

[Road_Warrior]

They started making the I6 in 1960.

[Trevor 57]

The XK to XP had a Canadian 6 in them (small block)

The XR I believe had the first Aussie I6 (big block) in them

[stevz]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

The XK to XP had a Canadian 6 in them (small block)

The XR I believe had the first Aussie I6 (big block) in them

According to this, the first I6 came off the line in Geelong in April 1960.

http://motoring.ninemsn.com.au/cars/...ford-powers-on

[Trevor 57]

hmmmm, maybe they were built to the Canadian specifications and the Aussie block came later, that has thrown me and my information.

[Ray Bell]

Bob Trevan, who's been around Fords forever (his father became a dealer in Australia in 1910, he retained that dealership until 2007), told me something interesting when I phoned him today...

He said that in '63 if you ordered a 'Super Pursuit' 200 engine it came from Canada, the rest were locally made.

I'm getting closer to the answers, I think, but I need to get it right.