Fords old Brisbane plant; any information?

[SSD-85]

Good evening all,

I want to give myself a bit of a history lesson & am seeking information on the Brisbane assembly plant.

I have absolutely nothing on it, basically id like to know about it as much as possible. So when it opened & closed, how many cars it built, what cars it built, anything at all really.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Struggo]

http://www.forddiscovery.com/heritag...-australia.htm

http://media.ford.com/print_doc.cfm?article_id=9721

[TMC]

The 80's Fairlanes were built there I think. My beloved old ZK. How I miss her.

[XAGSV8]

My XA was built there. JH instead of JG.

[Sprint XR8]

Ford Motor Company's building in Eagle Farm in 1936.


FORD MOTORS WORKS
EAGLE FARM, BRISBANE, QLD
DURING WW2
http://www.ozatwar.com/civilian/fordmotoreaglefarm.htm

[Peuty]

I actually did a little bit of trespassing there today to get a bit of a closer look. It appears that the main factory part has mostly been abandoned. If you look at the old pic above, what looks like the main entrance has started to fall apart, chunks of marble have fallen down and the whole door frame has come loose. To say the building is in a state of disrepair is an understatement.

I'll try to get a photo of it's current condition. I'd love to go for a proper look inside. I reckon people haven't set foot in some of the rooms for 20 odd years. I'm tempted to phone GJames Glass to ask if I can get in there for a look.

[janddbone]

Go for it! I would... Might put that on my list next time I am up in Qld...

[dave351cid]

Originally Posted by Peuty

I actually did a little bit of trespassing there today to get a bit of a closer look. It appears that the main factory part has mostly been abandoned. If you look at the old pic above, what looks like the main entrance has started to fall apart, chunks of marble have fallen down and the whole door frame has come loose. To say the building is in a state of disrepair is an understatement.

I'll try to get a photo of it's current condition. I'd love to go for a proper look inside. I reckon people haven't set foot in some of the rooms for 20 odd years. I'm tempted to phone GJames Glass to ask if I can get in there for a look.

that sounds like a great idea Peuty. it would be interesting to see if there is any of the old plant still inside. i love looking through old sheds at the history. i think your just the guy to get us all some great photos.

it would be cool if you could get someone to bring along an XK falcon so you could try to replicate the pic above in the building as it stands today.

[Bossxr8]

Its amazing how close Eagle Farm looks to Geelong engine and stamping plants. Basically identical designs.

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Its amazing how close Eagle Farm looks to Geelong engine and stamping plants. Basically identical designs.

The story goes that Henry Ford wanted every Ford plant in the world to look and work exactly the same way no matter it's location on a map. Some argue it was because he was too tight to pay for more than one architectural drawing.......... Anyway, that is why Ford's Geelong plant can withstand seven feet of snow on the roof, because in Dearborn that was an issue, lol. Geelong, Homebush and Eagle Farm are 3 of nearly 20 identical factories across the world.

[mrghia]

I heard that story as well. I think it cleaver and cost affective.

[Smoke Pursuit]

I am surprised the plant is still there...

The last of the Ford Louisville trucks were built there, around the mid to late 1990's.

[XDV800]

Fascinating. Must go down and have a look at the place today

Also SPAR Australia i think is in the old Acacia Ridge Holden Plant on Fox Rd. Might check it out too.

[EDManual]

http://queenslandplaces.com.au/eagle-farm#

another picture here

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Its amazing how close Eagle Farm looks to Geelong engine and stamping plants. Basically identical designs.

The old Ford assembly plant in Mosman Park here in Perth is exactly the same.

It's a brewery now.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

I am surprised the plant is still there...

The last of the Ford Louisville trucks were built there, around the mid to late 1990's.

I knew it as the Ford Truck assembly plant as well

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Big Trev

I knew it as the Ford Truck assembly plant as well

Yep I think they built Fords there till 1998... Aeromaxes etc.

Then I think Nissan had it for a while as storage. I still remember Ford using it as a kid.

[EDManual]

whats the address so I can look at it on google earth? had a look around, cant find it...

thanks

[Peuty]

Schnieder Road, Eagle Farm

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=eag...gl=au&t=h&z=19

[wadsymoo]

my dad worked there as a leading hand when i was a young fella,he used too fit and align the doors on fairlanes.on his rdo's he take me around the plant while they worked,would happen these days

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by Gobes32

The story goes that Henry Ford wanted every Ford plant in the world to look and work exactly the same way no matter it's location on a map. Some argue it was because he was too tight to pay for more than one architectural drawing.......... Anyway, that is why Ford's Geelong plant can withstand seven feet of snow on the roof, because in Dearborn that was an issue, lol. Geelong, Homebush and Eagle Farm are 3 of nearly 20 identical factories across the world.

Sure it was Henry's decision?
I thought it had to do with the fact that Ford Canada was responsible for Ford Australia and they built everything to their specs.

[Kevaclone]

I used to deliver fuel there in the late 80s, back then they stored Lasers and were building the last Aust F trucks, and ford heavy trucks(Cargo and Louisville)

I saw parts for many very old fords stacked in store rooms but wouldn't sell any, unloading would take about an hour and I was able to poke around the rear buildings(no security cams back then)

Was the site of the huge Laser hail damage sale after a very big hail storm hit most of Brisbane, Brand new 1989 & 1990 Ford Lasers for $5000-$9000, I remember a young fellow picked up the only AWD Laser TX3 Turbo for $12000

[Road_Warrior]

So do Ford still own this place or what?

[Riksta]

Originally Posted by Peuty

I'll try to get a photo of it's current condition. I'd love to go for a proper look inside. I reckon people haven't set foot in some of the rooms for 20 odd years. I'm tempted to phone GJames Glass to ask if I can get in there for a look.

I love old architechture, would love a modern photo of it plus any from inside if you can.

My only worry going into an old building in a state of disrepair would be asbestos fibres and the possibility of breathing them in.

I've always wanted to go exploring in old buildings and stuff around Port Adelaide here, but I also know "Trespass" laws and know half of them are more than likely full of asbestos.

But if you do manage to organise to get in legally and get some pics would love to see them.

I've learned something today - I never knew they had a plant in Brisbane until I opened this thread.

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

So do Ford still own this place or what?

No, GJames Glass owns it.

As for the asbestos, well, precautions would be taken I'd imagine.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

The old Ford assembly plant in Mosman Park here in Perth is exactly the same.

It's a brewery now.

At least its something useful lol.

Originally Posted by Riksta

I love old architechture, would love a modern photo of it plus any from inside if you can.

My only worry going into an old building in a state of disrepair would be asbestos fibres and the possibility of breathing them in.

I've always wanted to go exploring in old buildings and stuff around Port Adelaide here, but I also know "Trespass" laws and know half of them are more than likely full of asbestos.

But if you do manage to organise to get in legally and get some pics would love to see them.

I've learned something today - I never knew they had a plant in Brisbane until I opened this thread.

Asbestos would be an issue for sure, the engine and stamping plants are choc full of it in the roofs and walls. Needs to be regulary checked.

[Burnout]

The 4x4 XY Utes were knocked together there too.

[xr6turbo2005]

Originally Posted by Peuty

I'm tempted to phone GJames Glass to ask if I can get in there for a look.

I have some dealers with G James through work, so I might ask the question. Not sure who you'd need to actually talk too, but we can only but ask hey.

[Peuty]

Yeah by all means. If you get somewhere with it let me know.

[TC200six]

I know of a Brisbane-assembled P6 LTD with it's VIN starting with JH. I think if you tried telling someone that Fords were assembled up here as well they would probably be wondering what you've been smoking.