Fords old Brisbane plant; any information? - Page 3

XR6WGN · 09-05-2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

If you go to Zetland in NSW u can see little plaques on the footpath of the old B/L products [P76, Moke, Morris] they use to make, now all residential area.

You would be talking of South Dowling Street. Back in my Navy Days (1980 - 2000) Zetland was our Logistics Depot - if we needed the parts to fix our equipment then we could go out there and pick them up.

It was a long standing joke that when they closed British Leyland and the Navy took over the buildings, they must have kept all the management staff and grumpy old storemen - god it was like getting blood out of a stone sometimes.

L Bundy59 · 03-08-2012, 07:00 PM

[QUOTE=Eagleheart]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.

hay eagleheart hows it going L bundy59 here I worked for 17-20 years at the brisbane plant/ what do you need to know;

L Bundy59 · 03-08-2012, 07:02 PM

have photos an stuff of the old brisbane plant ;

L Bundy59 · 03-08-2012, 07:29 PM

know of a hidden bunker at the old ford plant brisbane, fill with stuff from 39 on wards. L bundy59

XAGSV8 · 03-08-2012, 07:31 PM

Welcome to the forums. Post some pics up using Photobucket.

vbvbvb088 · 03-08-2012, 08:40 PM

1983/4-ish... Wheels magazine... building Ford Laser in Qld. Which plant? Anyone remember?

granny177 · 15-08-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagleheart

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.

My Dad worked at the plant & was on the assembly line when the 1st falcon rolled off in 1960 during ww2 they assembled the army jeeps sent here from overseas I was there in the late 70's early 80's we built the fairlanes & ltd's we were used because of the quality control more humans less robots we used to push out up to 32/35 something cars a day at one time in an 8hr shift they also built Louisville trucks there in the early 80's before gjames glass took it over I could probably tell you more I have photos of my dad getting his 25 year gold watch and I have his 35 year plaque he retired at 37 years he also taught in the in house school how to assemble & work on the motors & gearboxes ford brisbane also built tractors & F100's which were used for ambulances back then & the ford cargos for a while

dave351cid · 15-08-2012, 11:43 PM

would be great to see any photos you have and if you have any stories to tell.
thanks

Kamshaaft · 16-09-2012, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L Bundy59

know of a hidden bunker at the old ford plant brisbane, fill with stuff from 39 on wards. L bundy59

You might want to give us the st of the details quick mate, because demolition date is just around the corner for the site! And I mean soon; couple weeks if that.

barra240t · 17-09-2012, 10:29 AM

peuty, do you have any more pictures or a gallery of the photos you took?

granny177 · 04-10-2012, 12:19 PM

Some old photos of the ford people in Bris plant Can't get them to upload

granny177 · 04-10-2012, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by granny177

Some old photos of the ford people in Bris plant Can't get them to upload

the back of the plant had the railway track the guys used to walk across to the old airport and have a liquid lunch sometimes.. I started on the number 2 assembly line and ended up working in the office yes the phone on the counter looks the same. I will be devastated when they demolish it lots of great memories for me there. It was a great place to work back in the late 70's early 80's

granny177 · 05-10-2012, 12:48 PM

I have great memories of working at Eagle Farm plant so sad its going to go all the history !!!!

malazn mafia · 06-10-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aarcai0705

Hi all,

As a fan of classic architecture this story has fascinated me. I've been searching on Google and managed to find all 5 factories all standing upright and easily recognisable. Amazing designs!

http://www.2shared.com/document/GjBA...Factories.html

It's a PDF file you'll need to download. The first is the Adelaide factory on Victoria Road Largs Bay. Was being used by James Hardie
2nd is Eagle Farm in Brisbane. 3rd is Homebush on Paramatta Rd. 4th is Geelong and last one is Perth on Stirling Hwy in Mosman Park (Matilday Bay Brewery).

I'm based in Adelaide so might go have a wonder over to the Largs Bay building when I get a chance and do some exploring!

Wow there was a Ford Factory on Paramatta Rd? Does it still exist? I work next door to its former location these days (Sydney Markets) and never noticed it

.

Thunderbird · 07-11-2012, 10:26 PM

I worked at the Ford Plant in Homebush from 74 to 1980.. some great times and a great company to work for. The Escorts and then Cortina's were on board.. This is the same plant that had a train track going directly into the rear where WW2 production switched to and later returned to vehicles like the Ford Pilot and in the early 60's converted various US models to RHD in that same facility. The only thing really identifying Fords involvement now it the caretaking of the polluted tip site.. at the rear gates.. still sign posted as being care for by Ford.

Road_Warrior · 07-11-2012, 11:51 PM

Please tell me they are going to save the facade of the main building at least.

MFP508 · 08-11-2012, 08:19 AM

I have a mate who is friends of the James family that own the site..there is a reason why they havent touched the site...suffice to say they would always be waiting for the best top dollar (religous upbringing, if you catch my drift)

nunga · 15-11-2012, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFP508

I have a mate who is friends of the James family that own the site..there is a reason why they havent touched the site...suffice to say they would always be waiting for the best top dollar (religous upbringing, if you catch my drift)

Hi guys, I've worked at G James at eagle farm for nearly forty years and have seen this building change a few times. When taken over by GJ they relocated there joinery shop, scaffold, park furniture, curtain wall production line no2 and paint shop in there, Real cosy, but the place was really run down and little done maintenance wise, as was always ear marked for demo. I was there yesterday and there removing all the asbestos and getting ready to knock her down. In the front office area where the brick facade is, it has always been out of bounds as the white ants have run through the place. It was like that from day GJ took over. Dam shame to see it go as the art deco facade is unique. It is in a hell of a state and how it has stayed up is really amazing. You better get out there and get your photos asap as time is running out.
Good luck.

nunga · 15-11-2012, 07:51 PM

Here is a few photos for you

zdcol71 · 15-11-2012, 08:44 PM

What a great thread.. I have photos on my phone that I have been meaning to send in for months, but dont have a data cable for. I work at the Refinery up the road at Pinkenba and have passed this site every day for years.
I worked for a construction company in Eagle Farm in the early 80's who did a lot of work here, and I recall being there on a "shutdown" on one of the lines to replace all the overhead conveyors. All the vehicles had been "removed" so I can't tell what was going through the unit, and it was a grubby, dirty job, so I wasn't that interested anyway, but boy I wish we had had digital cameras or iPhones in the day!!

TS50 · 15-11-2012, 09:00 PM

it is a great thread
i love all this old stuff

Bossxr8 · 15-11-2012, 10:24 PM

The second photo from the right is a mirror image of the Geelong Stamping Plant. They look identical. The designs of both plants must have come from the same drawings.

**Peuty** · 15-11-2012, 10:33 PM

Yep, well known fact that Ford didn't want to fork out for separate designs for all their buildings, so all factories around the world were based off the factory in Michigan. Apparently the roof at Eagle Farm can take 3 meters of snow or something stupid like that!

nunga · 21-11-2012, 07:51 AM

Found this today, some good photos..

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

Road_Warrior · 21-11-2012, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

The second photo from the right is a mirror image of the Geelong Stamping Plant. They look identical. The designs of both plants must have come from the same drawings.

Yep, the old Ford plant in Mosman Park (WA) looks just the same.

zdcol71 · 22-11-2012, 07:29 PM

Can't upload photos again, but I think get in quick if you want a look...the "Dean bros." are there and I don't think it will be there much longer!!

Kevaclone · 28-01-2013, 09:39 PM

Saw that myself today, already started to knock one building down

nunga · 30-04-2013, 12:41 PM

Yep, had a look today and most of the factory is gone. The facade is still intact and looks to be saved, may be wrong but will try and find out. Would be fantastic if that was to stay and be restored out front of the new building. Here's fingers crossed.

**Polyal** · 30-04-2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Yep, well known fact that Ford didn't want to fork out for separate designs for all their buildings, so all factories around the world were based off the factory in Michigan. Apparently the roof at Eagle Farm can take 3 meters of snow or something stupid like that!

Could we organise a photo shoot near this? Can you get close?

nunga · 30-04-2013, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Could we organise a photo shoot near this? Can you get close?

As close as you can get is what you see in the photos
i have earlier posted. There is a big chainwire fence across the front. Also its a construction site so its all out of bounds. I got my photos from off the bridge now in schneider road. Just depends how close you wish to get.