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!