Home of the Falcon: the Ford Assembly Plant at Broadmeadows
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2024
- Australia has had a long history of car manufacturing, research and development. One of the biggest names in the industry, Ford, built a huge assembly plant and other facilities in what was then the very outskirts of Melbourne in Broadmeadows and Campbellfield, leaving a lasting legacy on the city and the country.
CORRECTION: I've been contacted by Ford who have clarified that the COVID-19 face shields were actually made in Plant 2, which is still owned by Ford, and not Plant 1, which was sold for redevelopment.
Find out more about this important landmark in today's video!
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My website: philipmallis.com
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SOURCES
philam.github.io/videonotes/f...
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I acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this video was filmed, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people. I pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and their extensive and continuing connection to land, water and country.
This put a tear in my eye. I used to work there throughout the 80's and early 90's in the technology center, it was a great place and time of my life. I was a warranty officer and also a tech trainer for mechanics who came on site from the dealerships. In the early 90's I changed to be an IT engineer and have been so since. But I always will remember Campbellfield with fond memories.
You made one of the best car ( least i think ) my user name says it all the good ol XF :) ( and XD XE XF EA EB ED ECT )
Same here "New Australian'" now old 80 + Lots of jobs in Geelong back then.
Another video, another triumph. Fun fact: When Ford came to Geelong in 1925, they immediately sponsored the Geelong Football Club and still do to this day. It is the longest sponsorship of any professional sporting club in the world.
Wow!!!. I did not know that. Thankyou for sharing the info. 💖🤗
Go Cats !
@@adamcarson1516 I was waiting to see how long it would take for a Cats fan to jump in!!!!. 🤣😂💜
@@Paige.Edgley thats me 😎
@@adamcarson1516 Good on you, Adam!!. 💜🤗
A story I heard while working at Ford Geelong was when US executives came to inspect the Broadmeadows site they were shocked that there was no rail link between the Geelong engine plant and the Broadmeadows assembly plant and engines would have to be trucked over 100 miles of country roads. There was no Geelong freeway, western ring road or B-triple road trains in the 1960's. The Australian excecutive who did the deal with the Victorian government was sacked in the car on the way back to Geelong.
The assembly plant was supposed to be built across the Melbourne road in Geelong but was built in broad meadows instead the us company did not know that until they came to inspect it it is only 80 km's (50 miles) from Geelong to broadmeadows I worked in the stamping plant 1983-2016
I have a 2008 FG falcon Ute XR6 and I absolutely love it.
True Aussie car built for Australian road conditions. With the all designed and built legendary Barra Inline 6
I had one as well. Well XR6 2007 black with hardtop torneau cover. Lovely but electrical a bit wonky: headlights would burn out frequently and heater went kaput.
Yep my 2004 XR8 heater packed it in just before this winter, common problem , gotta pull the dash out if u want it fixed, learning to live without it but it's still a great car
You should keep a eye (if it a auto) the cooler runs in side the radiator if it leaks you end up with the cooling fluid in the gear box (a very common and expensive fault)
I own a 2002 BA XR6 ute...bought in 2014, 2nd owner, in VGC at 160thou clicks...now reaching 270thou clicks. Always mechanically well looked after.
Compared to my 1996 EF seden, the BAs are utter crap (including my elderly mother's BF wagon) ...and IMO, a primary reason Ford AU went bankrupt.
Some of the issues with my BA (some common on all BAs).
- design fault: spare tyre winch, rebuilt once, have to do it again. Ford don't sell replacements or even parts.
- design fault: a $50 arm for the venting system breaks at the weak point where there's no metal inside the plastic shaft. Last quote a few years ago was close to $1000 due to replacing the rod requires the removal of both seats, the centre console, dropping the steering, and fully removing the entire dash, just to get to the rod that only takes 30 minutes to replace.
- design fault: ignition key mechanically fails, has to be repaired, aftermarket repair kits available, that how common it is.
- prematurely worn selectors on Borg Warner 5 speed manual box.
- worn out electric window mechanisms, windows often jam in both directions.
- front disk rotors severly buckle after 15 minute thrash on local mountain pass (while keeping to speed limits, buckling occurs with hard braking into corners) done twice before figuring out Ford heirarchy chose to increase profit by using low quality steel for disk rotors, long ago replaced with DBA T2s ( twice the amount of thrashing in my previous EF, the rotors never buckled. Pads would severely fade and smoke, but rotors never buckled)
- huge sections of paint falling off between cabin and tub. Tub has to be removed to fix.
- Crap suspension - all Ford heirarchy did with the XR ute (advertised as a sports model) is drop the standard weak suspension of the standard ute a few inches, thus this weak lowered suspension is useless as a sports car and work horse.
- various low quality cosmetics.
- night vision on read mirror only moves mirror half way, thus half day and night vision, making night vision useless. exact same thing on the BF wagon, thus issue never resolved.
Those are the main issues.
The good things about me ute.
A solid motor and diff.
IMO, good riddence to Ford au for ripping people off since 2002 with low quality cars, though they're still ripping people off with grossly overpriced spares and crap service ( not all dealerships have incompetent mechanics though)
My old man worked on the assembly line at Campbellfield in the 80s into the early 90s. He had some great stories. The Xmas parties when the families of the workers got to walk around the factories and the kids got a present at the end was one of the highlights in my early days.
Fantastic Philip ! brought back memories of my grandfather and grandmother, both immigrated from Greece after the war, my grandfather worked his way up to supervisor and my grandmother was the canteen lady for approx. 23 years. Thanks for putting this video together!
Greece and the Mediterranean makes Australia great. 🇬🇷 🇪🇺
Thanks very much and for sharing, glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you, I used to visit the product development site at Geelong, and the test track at You Yangs… on my location I visit the assembly factory at Broadmeadows, and one of the engineering managers told me how the assembly line workers always keep a Coke can nearby for any ”emergency” as the demands of assembling new car vehicles we’re such that it was just not practical to get to the nearest toilet…..
I used to sell newspapers outside Upfield station while I was still at school. I vividly remember the development EA Falcons, before they were officially released, being driven back to the factory in the early hours of the morning in order to avoid drawing too much attention. They were badged as 'Granada', and for ages a lot of my school friends didn't believe me that I'd already seen the new Falcon.
Sad to see. My Mrs and I got to go on a tour of the assembly plant in 2010 and it was alive with activity, was a real experience. We're grateful for the opportunity we were given and of course to the workers and their hospitality that day.
I remember hauling steel from Melbourne to the rail works in Mackay and Gladstone and driving past the Ford plant.
I didn't realise it was so long ago!
We were lucky enough quite a few years ago to stop there on way to the Hardtop Anniversary and had all the Falcon Hardtops lined up out the front then got pics in front of Ford sign. Fordtastic.
Yeah, that would have been awesome!!. 🧡🤗
Thank you. My grandfather worked there, lived on Barry Road. My grandparents moved there from the country, they had the best garden on street.
The Ford Falcon was my dad's first car, similar to the ones in the video. I remember my mum telling me the story of my dad driving his light blue Falcon in a dark suit and a hat and apparently people would drive past him slow as they thought he was a cop...lol. I still remember that car fondly and we have many family photos featuring this car.
Great video! I really enjoyed it! When I was 15 I did a work experience placement there in the marketing department. I was excited to have been in a lift with Geoff Polities and David Flint held the door open for me in the cafeteria. They were heros of mine at the time. So sad to see it decay now. :(
Thank you! And yes a lot of people worked or knew someone who worked there - it's definitely left its mark on Australia
Great shot of the freight tram!
That admin building is beautiful! Thanks for uploading this Philip!
No worries at all! If you're ever in the area I'd definitely recommend a visit :)
very nice video, my first, and the current car own is a black 2016 FGX XR6, built the day before the factory closed on October 6, when i first inspected the car to buy it last year, i drove by this factory which was a few minutes away on the way to see it. you can call me silly, but by driving past the factory, it was a sign to me that the "stars aligned" for me to get this car. ive been loving the car ever since
Love seeing all the old footage. So great!!. Thankyou, Philip. ❤
I worked at the cambellfeild plant when Covid hit, decommissioned the plant and watched the demo, was happy I saw it before it got knocked down. You could say I was probably one of the last to walk through it before it got knocked down.
Thank you Phil, My fave car was the XP. wish I still had it..
Had one myself; '66 XP Falcon, column-shift auto, 200 Super Pursuit motor, no heater or carpets, marginal brakes. Bought it in 1972; lots of arm-twirling to get around corners, but I liked it. Went on to have an XA, XC, XF, an AU III and two Territories, an SY and the SZ II, which I'm still driving. Just to be fair about it, I also had a VS Commodore, which served me very well, too.
Great video. I was one of 12 graduates inducted in what I now know was the year Ford production peaked (1982). One of my best memories was delivering a mockup part into the Research Centre behind the 'Chocolate Box' HQ. When I walked past the clay 'maquettes' of a full-size vehicle, I looked at a wide floor strewn with a totally dismembered BMW. It looked so brutal...
Another major facility that is not in the suburb it is most reffered by. Not being in Broadmeadows.
The Victorian Railways specifically had lettering saying Ford Campbellfield as sending the wagon to Broadmeadows would cause major problems.
So good you tried to educate people that it was always in Campbellfield.
That green Falcon sedan could have been my dad's .
We had one just like it.
We were coming home from a day at London Bridge, Portsea, in it , when we heard on the radio the prime minister Harold Holt had disappeared not far along the coast.
The vinyl back seat was sticky in the heat as we drove through Chelsea on Nepean Hwy when we heard the news.
Sticky as hell!!!. But no-one complained. That's just the way it was with our cars back then. 💖
I lived In broady from 1971 to 1987, went to Dallas north primary school then upfield high school, most of my friends had a father or brother who worked at the Ford factory.
Is your first name Eddie?😅
@@mvnorsel6354 no
Thanks for sharing! Seems like a lot of workers there were mostly local to the area and had strong connections to places nearby
@@mvnorsel6354 HA HA!!!!. 😂😂🤣💖
This brought back a few memories for me; I used to work in the Truck Plant, 1972-3. We were making K-series, D-series and F-series, plus Transits. From memory, Louisvilles were introduced onto the line around October/November '72. Such a shame that all the manufacturing capacity and expertise has been lost.
My mum used to work in the computer room at Campbell field. Also the picture of the lady on the top right of the Geelong advertiser is Mary Budd. I used to work there. She's a great person and have very fond memories of her. Thanks Philip for the very interesting video.
Great video, thank you for this. Politicians failed us. Every major country pays to have car manufacturing, but we refused? And instead spent $1B on literally nothing? We need new leadership.
In reality, it wouldn't have fixed that Australian consumer tastes were changing, and in reality, Japanese and Korean cars were better made AND cheaper. And I rather have other nations' taxpayers pay for our cars. The nostalgia needs to go.
How about doing a piece on Tonsley Park and the Valiants...Chrysler lives baby...
Maybe one day I'll get to South Australia and check that out - probably Elizabeth too!
You did it again Phil
Totally enjoyable and informative 👍
Love your videos Phillip. Well researched, and well presented. Keep up the good work.
Hi Phil! I enjoyed this video so thanks for your efforts to research it and provide it to us! I fly often into Melbourne Airport, and one of the landing approach paths goes right over this plant, and it's just surreal such a large facility is mainly vacant for many years.
Also, advance congrats to you on reaching 10000 subscribers. A well deserved milestone for your excellent channel and content!
Why not GMH Dandenong next. That also opened in 1956. And had its own Railway station and lawn bowls ground.
Thanks, it's on the list for a future video!
Railway station and lawn bowls????. Had no idea. Thanks for the info. That would've been awesome!!!. 💜
Great coverage as usual Philip. Cheers.
The Mitsubishi 380 was the beginning of the end. Ford, GM and Toyota wanted to pull out of Australia for a long time. But it took Mitsubishi to break the ice and the rest followed suit.
Ford, Holden and Toyota - which were naturally only local subsidiaries of the American and Japanese auto companies - only existed in Australia due to exorbitant import tariffs and government incentives paid to these foreign companies to manufacture locally. When these conditions were no longer true, and Australian consumers preferring hatches, SUVs and utes at the turn of the new millennium, local Australian car manufacturing became even _less_ viable. Hence, the closure of the 3 car plants over 2016 and 2017.
Economics is a function of social science. The laws of science will always prevail. Australian nostalgia and jingoism be damned.
th-cam.com/video/SAhBpCLsA2I/w-d-xo.html
I've always hated the 380 and now I hate it even more. Ugly front wheel drive POS.
A government that thought that Australia no longer needed manufacturing, was the end. But hey, we got real estate as a replacement.
Mitsubishi stopped building the 380 in 2008, so how did this convince the others to cease production and close up shop, Toyota most of all received 21 million dollars from the stupid federal government just before declaring they were closing down. Funnily enough how they all closed down within months of each other, meaning the government was part of this 🤔 and no one saw it coming until it was all too late, Ford didn't even keep a section for up and coming vehicles, neither did Holden.
tariffs is what killed the car industry (the button plan, look it up it explains a lot about when government tries to control private business) the government dared the auto industry to close, nissan went to direct imports mitsubishi closed, ford decided to close, out side part suppliers could not survive with only two manufactures so they had to close holden tried direct imports(did not end well) toyota seemed to be able to make it work
That was really interesting about the Ford plant. Being in the Dandenong area I certainly remember the days there of Holden before the upgrade of the Fishermans Bend plant in the 80s
Absolutely thoroughly enjoyed the video, Early congratulations on 10K well deserved 😊
Cheers🍺🍻 KC Cradle Mountain Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺🤝🇦🇺😎😊👍
The Campbellfield site was Ford Australia’s national headquarters NOT just manufacturing! That beautiful American style office building must be preserved .
Great video. What a time when they had to open a new factory rather than close it down. The Geelong Ford factory also had a covid connection with part of it being used as a vaccination centre.
The satellite canteen and Hr offices were used not the factory it self I worked in the stamping 1983-2016
Actually Ford Motor Co decided to move to Broadmeadows because the Ford manager at the time owned the land. He sold the land to Ford and Ford planned to relocate Geelong press and engine plant to Broadmeadows. Thus consolidating all the manufacturing and assembly in Broadmeadows. After a couple of years Ford started plans to start manufacturing the plant. First the assembly plant was built. Once soil tests were done they realised that the 150 ton presses could not operate in Broadmeadows as the soil was to unstable due to poor soil conditions. So as history shows Ford ended up having two seperate plants.
In my opinion. The Ford plant must not be pulled down under any circumstances. This plant may be needed in case of war or the return of Ford which is not as far fetched as people think. Australia and the government are very short sighted.
Not to un similar to those in SA planning, who are seemingly unaware of such things as the Goyder Line and consequently are allowing housing on prime (and only) climatic crop areas. I'd even go as far as suspecting that those in the position are from interstate or too young and have never been taught about the climate line that goes right through South Australia. Three future of Australia is not a good one for sustainability. The bubble will burst again as it has done in the past.
Vehicle manufaturing should NOT have been canned in Australia. We need the manufacturing base and expertise that it gives. Though we needed industry assistance, not just payment for sheltered workshops for workers. Who priced themselves out of a job
already gone
@@ldnwholesale8552 Ford, Holden and Toyota - which were naturally only local subsidiaries of the American and Japanese auto companies - only existed in Australia due to exorbitant import tariffs and government incentives paid to these foreign companies to manufacture locally. When these conditions were no longer true, and Australian consumers preferring hatches, SUVs and utes at the turn of the new millennium, local Australian car manufacturing became even _less_ viable. Hence, the closure of the 3 car plants over 2016 and 2017.
Economics is a function of social science. The laws of science will always prevail. Australian nostalgia and jingoism be damned.
th-cam.com/video/SAhBpCLsA2I/w-d-xo.html
@lot6129 Yes, I realised later, bloody disgrace!
I worked night shift, not at the Ford factory, but in a nearby component one. Yes, in the days, the Ford factory was working 24/7, and needed our parts urgently, and the company i worked at, would be heavily fined if we were late, and hence stopping production over the road. Nice video, and im sure it'll bring back both happy and sad memories to all.
That's very interesting, thanks for sharing!
Awesome video. Worked there back in 2005 and used to love talking a walk through the production line, watching the BA falcon at the time come together.
During Covid the site was also used for drive through vaccinations in the production line car park.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
Congrats on 10k subscribers! Always excited to see your videos pop up in my feed.
Tiny suggestion: when discussing places, consider showing where these locations are on a larger map so that those who are less familiar about some suburbs have a little more context.
Keep it up. Love your work
Many thanks! And that's a great idea, I'll add that to my future videos
Awesome stuff watching 👀 now and I'll be back at the end 😊
Ford and Holden were always subsidiaries of Ford USA and General Motors, and neither were especially willing to export Australian-built motors overseas to compete against themselves. Overseas manufacturers generally cannot support themselves without expanding into other markets, so it's incredible that both companies lasted this long here. In the end, I hope car manufacturing returns to Australia.
Thanks that was very interesting I lived Broadmeadows for 36 years and drove passed the Ford Factory many many times
Growing up in the middle-outer North of the Melbourne sprawl, we were just a couple of MILES south of the 'Broadmeadows' Ford strip, and passed frequently on day-trips out of the 'burbs.
Last month I photographed my recently acquired 1995 Falcon ute, aesthetically parked outside the very flash looking Ford HQ building, which was and very much continues to be one of the most imposing architectural structures in Melbourne's north.
Well presented and delivered I did read that for the amount of state subsidies car manufactures received over the years the GOVT could give every aussie a free car ! Would be good if this material was included.
That was fairly true but it all went back into the economy and workers paid taxes built houses raised families its an economic cycle, now when we buy an imported car a large portion of that purchase price maybe 80-90% I dont know exactly the number but it goes straight offshore
Well researched doco' .
Thanks for the content Philip
No worries, glad you enjoyed it!
My brother worked there for 27 years. started in the mailroom, and ended up just below VP. I drive past regularly but it is difficult to stop around there. Interesting to see what is happening.
Wow, this is a special place
My father 33 years,, myself 10 years and my brother 13 years all worked there. I have very fond memories of working in the head office and other areas.
This place needs to stay as it is. Ford may come back as a manufacturer or if war breaks out.... It can be used in that way.
I worked at both, I live near one of them, I travel past the other regularly. I am always deepened saddened when I pass-bye either.
Agree, it is sad to pass it.
Brilliant!
Great and informative video, well done to the creator.
Hi there. Nice, informative vid. My dad worked on the first Falcons down the line as a leadwiper in 1960. We are very proud of that. All of my cars (5) have been Falcons, and never an ounce of drama. Had a tidy XA GT coupe in the eighties. Should have kept that😂. Currently have two fg XR6’s. One sedan and a one tonner. Both vixen red and low mileage.
We lost our car industry due to the Button Car Plan, which lowered our tariffs on imported cars from 50% to 5%. That was supposed to have been in concert with other ASEAN nations, to give us more export opportunities. Turns out, we were the only bunnies knifing local industry. When a new factory opens, the pollies elbow their way to the front of the ribbon-cutting photo op. They're less enthusiastic about taking credit when a factory closes.
Ford, Holden and Toyota - which were naturally only local subsidiaries of the American and Japanese auto companies - only existed in Australia due to exorbitant import tariffs and government incentives paid to these foreign companies to manufacture locally. When these conditions were no longer true, and Australian consumers preferring hatches, SUVs and utes at the turn of the new millennium, local Australian car manufacturing became even _less_ viable. Hence, the closure of the 3 car plants over 2016 and 2017.
Economics is a function of social science. The laws of science will always prevail. Australian nostalgia and jingoism be damned.
th-cam.com/video/SAhBpCLsA2I/w-d-xo.html
Correct we were going to lead the world by dropping import tariffs but we ended up being shafted (try importing any thing into Japan and see how much tarrif you have to pay) that is why Toyota pulled out of Australia
@@trevorjohnston9504 You are missing the point. A company only exists to make predictable and growing profits. If a company cannot make a profit with a particular division or group, the rational response is to rationalise or terminate this specific operation. This explains why the 3 auto companies exited local car manufacturing.
Yes, importing into Japan is bloody hard. But, as Japan was up until relatively recently the world’s second largest economy, after only the United States, the Japanese are more or less free to implement import protectionist measures as they see fit. As the old saying goes: he who has gold rules.
In any case, Australia certainly has protectionist import policies as well, especially when it comes to fresh food and produce. This is explains why you cannot buy foreign bananas. Hypocrisy is a dead end street.
At the end of the day, it is up to the Australian federal government to thrash out trade deals with foreign countries. It is all a negotiation.
Was also surprised to make the auto industry better by getting rid of the lesser brands but instead got rid of them all was surprised to go from 9 manufacturers to 4 or 5 work for ford's from 1983-2016
Thanks Phillip that was really interesting it was sad to see the closure of the Ford plant and the other vehicle manufacturers.
You're very welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
It's sad to see Ford go as I was an employee for 20 years at NPD (FCSD). I have heard that a few people died at the intersection of Barry Rd & Ford entrance before traffic lights were erected. Thanks for the nostalgic video.
Oh, that's very sad. 😔💜
I can only imagine how people felt after losing their jobs of many years, or even decades like yourself, no worries at all for the video
Great video, great history, thanks
Still miss the valiants
I have an urbex mate who's explored that factory. Fascinating place.
Off topic, but do you think you could maybe do a video about 1998 Esso Longford gas explosion and the Victoria-wide 20 day gas outage that followed? I'm surprised nobody has done a video about it already and I was reminded of it recently after we had a gas leak and had no hot water for 3 days.
Great idea, I think. 💖
I have been in the I contact with urbex greko I worked in the stamping plant and the toolroom 1983-2016
Thank you that's a great topic suggestion, I'll definitely add that one to the list :)
Great video, well done.
Thank you very much!
Great video
That was good - all I needed to know.
As a child I used to live in coolaroo, just a suburb over, I used to go past there every day on the way to school, and later in life on the way to work. Miss that place even though I’m a holden boy
Awesome video. Thanks
Wonderful thank you
You're very welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
I used to deliver production components from off-site suppliers, to Broadmeadows. And in a Falcon. FG mk2 cab-chassis.
Thanks for sharing!
i drive past the campbellfield site everyday to get to work...seeing what it has become is sad....but watching what it is becoming is also nice to see....
great video again phillip mate. am quite familiar with the future of the land there if youve got any questions
The infamous Ford strike could be researched! 1973! Windows smashed, fences and brick wall pushed over! 😮
The petrol station kfc carls jr is the first stage to work on assembly and it will be complete soon
Worked at Venture and futuris as a casule for ruffly 2 years or more at each place. Best job I had.
Interesting doc!
Growing up in the 80's it seemed like every third person's dad worked at Ford.
this place is the actual reason i was even born lol.
I have a Ford Falcon BFIII station wagon 2009.
i would say take a look at the old pipe works market but looking at the maps it got demolished already. i remember almost every time i would visit my cousins in Melbourne i would walk down the road to pipe works and look around enjoy some food it was nice. as a rural person i found Campbellfield nice its a busy place but no too busy like Coburg and the other areas closer to the CBD. the rumble of trucks rolling down Mahoneys at night was nice some how made sleeping easy.
The Head Office was affectionately called “The Chocolate Box”
Ah didn't know that, thanks for sharing!
I worked for Stilwell Ford in Kew for 35 years started there as a apprentice and have such strong memories of The Ford Motor Company and the Ford Staff
Great video Philip
New sub here
I owned an Electroplating company in Glenbarry road (opposite the Ford Factory) in the late 90s and early 2000's we worked for all four of em at one point or another doing metal and plastic most people have no idea how big the supply chain was to the car manufacturers it reached into so many industries from couriers to packaging companies to takeaway food shops because every car needed thousands of parts and or materials and everyworker who either directly or indirectly worked in the industry spent their salaries from the proceeds of this huge market within the economy on food services homes etc they say Ford employed 2000 workers at Broady but it would be more like the flow on was 200,000 plus Car industry and supporting industries in Victoria alone it would have been closer to a Million jobs
There was a number of reasons the industry died one was we didnt buy our own products we as time went on we all wanted imported fancy cars, the government claimed they propped it up for decades but so what it kept the country employed and paying taxes
I can remember 2002-2003 Ford doing 450-500 falcons a day was the parts demand and Holden around 600 for the commodore the penalty if you stopped the line was $4000 a minute all though i never heard of anyone ever having to pay it maybe it was a myth or a threat but by 2004 with all the rumuors the writing was on the wall
IT was sad time to see it go Mitsubishi was the first they went down to around 30 magnas a day from then it was all down hill.
I left and went to QLD sadly so many companies and friends jobs dissapeared over the next few years
I was born in Sydney and went to Melb for the work in my 20's and the multicultural experience was one of the best of my life so many great people from all races found their place in Melbourne and made it their home because of the manufacturing there
And all the Wogs and the Skips we all got along great we respected each other and had pride to be in the Industry
We need manufacturing in this country we built this country last century on manufacturing and farming and look at it all now all our kids have no idea what their in for
IF you never had the oppurtunity to visit one of the plants they where Suburbs within a Suburb an Aussie Icon whether you like Ford or the other brands if you ever went to Geelong you could feel the soul of the place was built of the back of Ford.
It would be a great fairytale to see it return one day sadly now in my 50's I dont think I'll ever see it
Wow thank you for sharing all that information and history! There were definitely a lot of people whose jobs relied on the manufacturing industry and felt the flow on effects when they started to close down
Thank you I really enjoyed your Ford video. Have you thought about doing the Iveco factory in Dandenong? It's been abandoned now for a couple of years and still stands. I recently went through the site because a friend of mine works security there. Large area, many factories etc.
Thank you! I've had a few suggestions for topics on the industrial uses around there - I'll add it to the list :)
Another great video 🙏🏽😂🤗
I've walked past that little traffic light sign 5000 times I've only just noticed it
I remembered in 1997 when I was in Melbourne I often see Ford Falcon on street
Pfft, 10k subs, you should have more. Great content.
My XR6 Ute can see the TV from the car port .. don’t know if it was coolant but I think it shed a tear.
Great video. I still have my 2012 Ford G6E which I will never sell.
Its a real shame we stopped manufacturing cars in Australia. I love fords and i own a couple of falcons. Many freinds and family had worked at ford for many years. Times have changed and unfortunately not for the better.
my mum used to work there
Pretty much the place where our BA XR6 Turbo Ford Falcon was assembled in 2004! :)
The best falcons were in the 70s same with Holden and Valiant
The world is a changing place, things come and go all the time. The winners know when to get in and when to leave the game.
We'll regret letting our car industry die come the next war
Early November 1971 I went for my first Job Interview at the Admin Centre. At that time we had Full Employment. I wanted to get into CARS. I was offered a Postion in the Agricultural Division (Tractors), but turned that down.
The "Dramatic new Front End" on the first Ford Falcon was necessary to handle Australian Roads. Very different to the Hollywood Blvds smooth roads that the American design was.
Ball joints were upgraded
@@yasi4877
Hey Yasi
NO. All suspension COMPONENTS had to be made STRONGER. CASTINGS, TIE RODS, LINKS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS.
Ah that's very interesting, thanks for sharing!
Great video Phil. Just a comment - found myself thinking the whole time 'What is he referring to re Canberfield?' as a kiwi viewer always known as Broadmeadows. I know it might technically be in another suburb but seems a bit pedantic.
Look forward to more 😊
Agree with you it's always known as broadmeadows even in the description of this video, very weird.
Thank you! Just thought I'd point it out - neither is wrong or right. As you correctly point out, the facility was always known as Broadmeadows. I just included the Campbellfield location as information in the video.
User name says it All; RIP mighty falcon
I own a XH XR6 blue ford ute 96 model , always a minor problem But i love driving it
there was talks of the upfield line continuing to end at craigieburn and either that line or the current craigieburn line continuing to donnybrook/beveridge as the housing estates there are growing.
You're right - it was most recently included in the PTV Network Development Plan which you can see here: www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/legal-and-policies/growing-our-rail-network-2018-2025/
My Mum worked at the Ford Plastics plant for many years.
Thankyou the Goverment of OZ!