Ford factory in Hobart?

ThePistonHead · 12-12-2008, 01:42 PM

I was reading the current issue of the Top Gear Australia magazine, and to my suprise it stated in a fast facts section, that although only two ford factories currently exist in Australia, there used to be a number of others.

I do not have my hands on the mag at this time but i remember seeing Hobart as one of the locations.

I was wondering if somebody could elaborate on this a bit further for me, and maybe some of the other locations of factories.
A location would be great for the Hobart factory.

Cheers
TPH

XR6WGN · 12-12-2008, 01:55 PM

The Two definate ones are Broadmeadows and Geelong in Melb

I haven't been in Sydney for years but is the Homebush factory still there - I'd imagine it is because I can't remember anything in the news of it closing.

The story goes that Adelaide had a small one too - don't know too much about it but it is the old James Hardy site on Victoria Road, Largs Bay - it was used very early in Ford Australia's history.

daz82 · 12-12-2008, 02:01 PM

There was the main plant in broadmeadows, with i think 2 or 3 production lines, then there was Bris, Syd, Perth, they are the ones that i know of.

sleekism · 12-12-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daz82

There was the main plant in broadmeadows, with i think 2 or 3 production lines, then there was Bris, Syd, Perth, they are the ones that i know of.

Sydeney-Homebush made the Laser from 1981-1994?

GreenMachine · 12-12-2008, 02:08 PM

There was a Brisbane factory at Archerfield in the 70's/80's, assembled mostly XA-XC wagons/fairlanes/utes and F-trucks...

**Peuty** · 12-12-2008, 02:15 PM

Also a factory in Eagle Farm too Nick. Still stands today as a glass factory.

http://home.st.net.au/~pdunn/civilia...reaglefarm.htm

If you look closely enough today, you can still see the big FORD logo painted in the water tower there. AFAIK, the also assembled XW/XY's back in the day.

burnz · 12-12-2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleekism

Sydeney-Homebush made the Laser from 1981-1994?

yes and in 1995 it closed it's doors and is now a part of flemington markets.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/1994/133/10245

aquahead2001 · 12-12-2008, 02:20 PM

Way back in the early 1920's Ford choose Geelong as it's Australian headquarters, the production line was there as was the stamping plant, design offices and head office, in fact everything!

In the 1950's Ford was looking to expand the facility in Geelong and was seeking more land but the state government convinced them to choose Broadmeadows as the new site. I guess cost and the potential for a lot of cheap labour were key factors.

Broady turned out to be the deal of the century for Ford, they were able to secure a huge parcel of land and that convinced them to relocate the head office there too.

Geelong lost it's production line as the new Falcon (1960 XL) was running down the line, I think the last car down the Geelong line was a Zephyr.

Ford had satellite facilities in other states and areas. Homebush in Sydney built Escorts and Cortinas, prior to Lasers, Eagle Farm in Brisbane built Trucks, Tractors and some Utes (Mighty XY 4WD). I would assume these were all from CKD Kits (Completely Knocked Down Kits). In Ballarat, Ford even had an engine re-manufacturing plant.

Renault also built cars for Ford at its Heidleburg plant where Volkswagon Beetles were also built too, I'm think they were building Cortina Wagons from TC to TF models.

And of course Nissan's Clayton plant built the Corsair for Ford along with it's sister the Pintara.

That's got me thinking, where did they build the early Telstars???

**janddbone** · 12-12-2008, 02:30 PM

I can also confirm that they had an engine works plant in Ballarat. I know the man that use to manage it. Let me know if anyone wants to know anymore about this particular plant...

Biggav · 12-12-2008, 02:34 PM

The one in Perth IIRC is still there and is part of the old Matilda Bay Brewery that just has closed down itself.

GTP owner · 12-12-2008, 03:00 PM

They may have been referring to the xy 4x4 ute that was built down here in limited numbers. There has been no other plant that i know of

flappist · 12-12-2008, 03:06 PM

I heard arumour that the Hobart factory did all the original development on the first V8s.

Something about familiarity with things that have two heads.......

**Peuty** · 12-12-2008, 03:08 PM

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=kin...43172515974774

Eagle Farm, Brisbane as it stands today.

FPV+fteT3 · 12-12-2008, 03:11 PM

Not so much a factory it's more like a shed I think it's at Tex's place

whiskieboy · 12-12-2008, 03:45 PM

This may help,

Gobes32 · 12-12-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=kin...43172515974774

Eagle Farm, Brisbane as it stands today.

That is so eeerily similar to geelong!!!!

Cobra · 12-12-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

I heard arumour that the Hobart factory did all the original development on the first V8s.

Something about familiarity with things that have two heads.......

HAHAHAHA LMAO!

RG · 12-12-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_br_johnstone

I can also confirm that they had an engine works plant in Ballarat. I know the man that use to manage it. Let me know if anyone wants to know anymore about this particular plant...

I'd love to know about this one, I'm a local and I never even knew.

Road_Warrior · 12-12-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggav

The one in Perth IIRC is still there and is part of the old Matilda Bay Brewery that just has closed down itself.

The old building of the former Mosman Park plant is still there, yes. The old Holden plant is long gone however.

GTP owner · 12-12-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

I heard arumour that the Hobart factory did all the original development on the first V8s.

Something about familiarity with things that have two heads.......

Very funny.

rodderz · 12-12-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggav

The one in Perth IIRC is still there and is part of the old Matilda Bay Brewery that just has closed down itself.

Has Matilda Bay moved or closed or good?

ThePistonHead · 12-12-2008, 09:41 PM

Here we go, and I quote:

"Ford currently has 2 factories in Australia - Broadmeadows and Geelong - but it once operated plants in Hobart, Eagle farm, Port Adelaide, Fremantle and Homebush".

Wow!

Biggav · 13-12-2008, 12:04 AM

im sure matilda bay closed down got bought out or something.

**Captain Stubing** · 13-12-2008, 12:17 AM

I only knew of Broadmeadows and Brisbane plants. Engine or VIN numbers starting with JG were Broadmeadows, and JH were Brisbane.

I've been reading a history of the Ford family, though, and I don't doubt that there were more 'points of assembly' in Australia.

zetec · 13-12-2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

That is so eeerily similar to geelong!!!!

Interesting how Geelong, Homebush and Eagle Farm are all in the same brick, style and everything. Here's Homebush for reference.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&h...83538281554978

Windsor220 · 13-12-2008, 12:51 AM

Does anyone know what the plant in Perth was used for?

Hunter · 13-12-2008, 12:53 AM

That google image is old - there's an overpass right past that old ford factory at eagle farm now...

XPfalcon170 · 13-12-2008, 12:56 AM

There was a sydney plant along parramatta road. My xp came from there back in the day lol

**Peuty** · 13-12-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter

That google image is old - there's an overpass right past that old ford factory at eagle farm now...

True, but the building is still there, plus if they had used the latest photo, then you wouldn't have been able to see the building at all!

metalmania · 13-12-2008, 10:19 AM

The old cleveland engine line in geelong made way for the 4 cylinder Telstar engine. I remember reading about it when it happened and thought now they are going backwards.Much like the kind of disgust many forum members have today about some of Ford's decisions.