Sad isn't it? The Australian and New Zealand car markets were big enough to support several manufacturers in Australia, assembly plants in several cities in Aus and NZ, employing thousands in skilled jobs. And now our much bigger market can't support a single manufacturer. Not one.
@Amplass 333 Nah Plastic doesn't work that well as a corrosion inhibitor......... The Japanese were the first to use Zinc (galvanised) for rust prevention....It took decades for the rest of the world to catchup.
Fascinating. Didn't know NZ assembled Fords 1, that they used lead wiping 2. there was so much hand assembly. Very refreshing to have silence throughout, made it very 'observational' and, I think, much better than heavy music/"entertainment" styles of videos. Bought back memories of my old '75 250hc auto XB Falcon 500 coupé, vinyl floor, seats 'n' all. Thankyou so much !
OMG I remember watching this at school as kid! It was on those old projector wheels. I always remember the kid wanting a purple one and I thought at the time why????? my old man had a tan brown XB falcon at the time and I was excited to watch this..
Ford opened their Assembly plant, 1936, in Seaview Wellington, They opened another Plant Wiri Aukland 1973, Head office moved to Aukland, Seaview closed 1988, Vehicle Assembly at Wiri came to a end 1997. "Dawn raids" began about then.
Wow this brings back memories! I worked at that plant in Wiri 1980 till close down in 1997. We were building XDs and Escorts at first then XE/XF/EA etc Fords and Mazdas/Lasers/Utes after the partnership between Ford and Mazda in the mid 80s when the factory became VANZ. Great outfit in those days.
I had an XA Fairmont ( vinyl roof , bronze copper colour ) that I paid 2 grand for , ran it into the ground and sold it 2 years later in 93 for 400 bucks . It was stuffed and leaked when it rained and I remember the old Italian guy offering me 200 but I stood my ground and got the 400 . I was happy with that but 25 years on it would be worth around 20 grand the way it was .
Those guys doing the lead wiping would have left planet earth ages ago. Old school personal responsibility. As a young and naive apprentice I worked with a fitter in his eighties who would clean his overalls in a bucket of kerosene to get the hydraulic oil out of them, and then wear them when they'd dried. I asked him if it wasn't going to be bad for his health- his reply (with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth) "good for ya".
So they were dipped. That's good. The Holdens weren't. I looked inside one all over but saw the rust break out everywhere. They had no paint where it counted.
Very plain looking American styled Fords & I never thought much of the ol' XA Falcons back in the day. NOW when I see one out cruising on a sunny Sunday drive I nearly fall over myself to get a better look Lol. Pity they only showed the poverty pack six cylinder Falcon 500's being made, A GT would be nice or even better a really cool coloured Fairmont with all the extra trinkets. All the wank about GT's being the pinnacle of classic collector cars, give me a really nice original Fairmont any day!! Great video though thanks for posting.
It's interesting listening to you guys from AU and NZ talk about the different models of Fords. The names are familiar, but the sizes of cars those names represent are messing with my mind.
Next, they send a few cars to the custom shop for high powered v-8 motors. Plus, a yellow, red and blue paint job. Lights and siren and police radio is next. Last, they are delivered to the Main Force Patrol in Australia.
@@Geoffroxx ... In the same way that putting together your IKEA coffee table is an important part of the furniture manufacturing process. As in so many other countries, it existed purely for political reasons- it created jobs for a few NZ voters, while the rest of the population had to pay more for their cars than they needed to. A sort of exaggerated version of what happened in Australia.
i'm restoring an XA Fairmont and it has the optional insulation on the roof interior (behind the hood-lining) and under the dash around the firewall& heater area. Yeah, it's yellow asbestos. Not joking.
@@deanlillee3231 oh, i'm not sure..but apparently fibreglass melts in little beads and my sample didn't get affected at all; it was the optionsl winter insulation on a Fairmont (it was a ticked option if yuo chose) so, i guess my answer now is, if not sure (and now we are not sure) still treat it like it is asbestos. But i hope you're right..and it is fibreglass! Anyway, i carefull got it all out except for the stuff behind the heater box which is tightly packaged in there. Cheers Mate
Greg Whitbread nz had a special xa facon 500 302 luxury,buckets t bar ,wheeltrims,she was a bloody beaut,like a fairmont w o the badges,any left.......
Those were the days when the job got done with no dramas like all the safety shit we got nowadays with all the highviz dressing up like an esxemo to do the job
@@Rob-fc9wg Good Question, It's fair to say that I've probably never driven a New Zealand assembled Ford, born and living in Australia, I know that most of the parts were manufactured in Australia, I can 't imagine them being much different, Maybe Blissy 1 knows something We don't
Try putting parts on a moving car on a production line, and you'll find out how fast "slow" is, it takes time and practice, some people never get up to that speed, and so continue working on sub assembly stations. and there's no shame in that, it can be repetitive.
Still got my XA I parked it up after I replaced it with a later model about 25 years ago, I have had three six cylinder fords since the XA . Got a bit of rust in it, as it was leaking, it started last time I tried it about 10 years ago been under cover for 13 years now. Was out in the open for 4 years. It has character, only used it to pull the caravan, has done 100,000 miles around NZ.
Sad isn't it?
The Australian and New Zealand car markets were big enough to support several manufacturers in Australia, assembly plants in several cities in Aus and NZ, employing thousands in skilled jobs.
And now our much bigger market can't support a single manufacturer. Not one.
Great doco. Seems like a nicer, simpler time. The XA was a beauty!
Yeah until rust set in
Cant stop watching even a year later. I know every minute of this XA getting made, Never gets old
3:50 - initial salt water application to give the rust a good start
That was funny , the 70s real rolled steel
@Amplass 333
Nah Plastic doesn't work that well as a corrosion inhibitor......... The Japanese were the first to use Zinc (galvanised) for rust prevention....It took decades for the rest of the world to catchup.
LOL
How proud that organ player must be, given the opportunity to ply his skills for this doco.
Fascinating. Didn't know NZ assembled Fords 1, that they used lead wiping 2. there was so much hand assembly. Very refreshing to have silence throughout, made it very 'observational' and, I think, much better than heavy music/"entertainment" styles of videos. Bought back memories of my old '75 250hc auto XB Falcon 500 coupé, vinyl floor, seats 'n' all. Thankyou so much !
Would this mean that NZ Fords are better assembled than Australian Fords.?
@@leopoldonotarianni8663 nz assembled cars weren't known for good build quality, especially the valiants
OMG I remember watching this at school as kid! It was on those old projector wheels. I always remember the kid wanting a purple one and I thought at the time why????? my old man had a tan brown XB falcon at the time and I was excited to watch this..
I didnt know rolf harris worked at ford back then.........I bet the girl experienced more than just the complexities of car production that day.......
Rolf Harris ran the childcare centre.
Haha
There’s something creepy about that tour guide engineer, very creepy indeed! I’d be interested in seeing a current day police check.
I owned a xa. For about. 13yrs. Went to Alice strings. 5 times in it. Darwin. Never let me down. Regret selling it
Ford opened their Assembly plant, 1936, in Seaview Wellington,
They opened another Plant Wiri Aukland 1973, Head office moved to Aukland, Seaview closed 1988, Vehicle Assembly at Wiri came to a end 1997.
"Dawn raids" began about then.
What a great video, thank you.
Wow this brings back memories! I worked at that plant in Wiri 1980 till close down in 1997. We were building XDs and Escorts at first then XE/XF/EA etc Fords and Mazdas/Lasers/Utes after the partnership between Ford and Mazda in the mid 80s when the factory became VANZ. Great outfit in those days.
1979 -82 was when XDs were being built
Light years away from the way a car is built today, love the haircuts. I think the little girl is bored to death.
At 7.44 you can see the slow release rust additive being applied.still love the old beasts .
I had an XA Fairmont ( vinyl roof , bronze copper colour ) that I paid 2 grand for , ran it into the ground and sold it 2 years later in 93 for 400 bucks . It was stuffed and leaked when it rained and I remember the old Italian guy offering me 200 but I stood my ground and got the 400 . I was happy with that but 25 years on it would be worth around 20 grand the way it was .
My first car in 1976 was a copper bronze xa 302v8 Fairmont, best car ever with that engine.
Awesome video, we made trim down at Brugger Industries for the XE when I started there in 1983
Those guys doing the lead wiping would have left planet earth ages ago. Old school personal responsibility. As a young and naive apprentice I worked with a fitter in his eighties who would clean his overalls in a bucket of kerosene to get the hydraulic oil out of them, and then wear them when they'd dried. I asked him if it wasn't going to be bad for his health- his reply (with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth) "good for ya".
My dad worked at Ford factory in Auckland
Joseph Lama... was he in the film & did he get a staff discount on a new vehicle?
Back when NZ was an industrialized country and not a Chinese outpost.
Great piece of history.
Priceless footage
4:26 yep ..those spray painters had the best job in the world ...
6:57 Peter and Yvonne look concerned about how long before that shinny new Falcon will have huge rust issues!
Now go down to the shops and get me some Fesh and Cheps! Ha ha
Great fun to watch, so much hair & the Polynesian log drumming soundtrack - how appropriate 👍
That is how a car is made, almost by hand. I know it doesn't have million and one safety features of todays cars. But has has soul...
My Dad,CH Carr of Hastings,new 1972 falcon.Maize yellow 200ci six manual
So they were dipped. That's good. The Holdens weren't. I looked inside one all over but saw the rust break out everywhere. They had no paint where it counted.
That was bloody awesome.
I'd like one when I grow up.
All Credit of Orginal Film and convertion by George Giannitsos and Craig Rendall
+keith holden
Hey Keith was converted by the great Kiwi legend Wayne Stables!
Go the MIGHTY XA FALCON.
From back in the days when People were as important as profits to government.
Yes your correct there , let's all go out on strike/revolution
Plenum chambers rusting before they left the factory
Wonder if they got their 2 beers at lunchtime...used.to happen in some places even till the early 80s
Very plain looking American styled Fords & I never thought much of the ol' XA Falcons back in the day. NOW when I see one out cruising on a sunny Sunday drive I nearly fall over myself to get a better look Lol. Pity they only showed the poverty pack six cylinder Falcon 500's being made, A GT would be nice or even better a really cool coloured Fairmont with all the extra trinkets. All the wank about GT's being the pinnacle of classic collector cars, give me a really nice original Fairmont any day!! Great video though thanks for posting.
The XA was actually the first Australian designed Falcon although I am sure the Americans influenced the look.
The 1966 XR to 1978 XC all used the same basic floor pan.
It's interesting listening to you guys from AU and NZ talk about the different models of Fords. The names are familiar, but the sizes of cars those names represent are messing with my mind.
XAs quite rare these days I've had a few coupes included . If only we new then what we know now 👍👍
The documentary music was much better then too
such modern facilities!! just like the Falcon plant building today's cars!
Won't be seeing work like this anymore, not even from Holden, it's all imported now.
4:27 Well before the Health and Safety onslaught.
First car we bought when we came to Australia
Not robots, Bro'bots ay!
love it !!!!
Wow....this should be on country calendar
Loved it !
Jesus no wonder my MK2 escort fell to pieces after watching this, great archive video.
Great footage!
Next, they send a few cars to the custom shop for high powered v-8 motors. Plus, a yellow, red and blue paint job. Lights and siren and police radio is next. Last, they are delivered to the Main Force Patrol in Australia.
p71collector yep some real mad max bullshit cool !!!!
I feel bad for the guy doing lead on the roof seams.
That HQ Holden @ 9:00 looks pretty Mint !!!
Would've been brand new at the time
When humans did work not robots
You can see when they start to rust, about 7.50 in
Main Force Patrol Interceptors being made.
Thats amazing all done by hand the welding and no power drivers all hand built .
If it's New Zealand, it's how cars are assembled, not "made".
There very liberal with the use of "made" and never say assembled
Assembly is an important part of the whole manufacturing process, If it's not Assembled forget about tryin' to drive it.
@@Geoffroxx ... In the same way that putting together your IKEA coffee table is an important part of the furniture manufacturing process. As in so many other countries, it existed purely for political reasons- it created jobs for a few NZ voters, while the rest of the population had to pay more for their cars than they needed to. A sort of exaggerated version of what happened in Australia.
''Real Cars ''
i'm restoring an XA Fairmont and it has the optional insulation on the roof interior (behind the hood-lining) and under the dash around the firewall& heater area. Yeah, it's yellow asbestos. Not joking.
I thought it was just fibreglass insulation. My XB had bucketloads of it and it made you itchy just like fibreglass!
@@deanlillee3231 yikes!..hold a flame to asbestos, and it will immediately stop 'glowing' (on fire) the moment you take the flame away.
@@Dave.S.TT600 pretty much the same with fibreglass though right?
@@deanlillee3231 oh, i'm not sure..but apparently fibreglass melts in little beads and my sample didn't get affected at all; it was the optionsl winter insulation on a Fairmont (it was a ticked option if yuo chose) so, i guess my answer now is, if not sure (and now we are not sure) still treat it like it is asbestos. But i hope you're right..and it is fibreglass! Anyway, i carefull got it all out except for the stuff behind the heater box which is tightly packaged in there. Cheers Mate
Awesome !
Where’s all the safety equipment lol
I loved my XA,but preferred the XW I got later on,XA dashboard in my XW would have been perfection.
I will order a Red XA fairmont coupe. And a red XA Futura to thank's
Tim Ford Falcon XF a Landau and an Ltd,three fairlanes,a 250,a 302,a351.All purple.Ta.
Hear hear. I wish i was born in the 50.s so i had a chance to see these new :)
Sweet :)
Greg Whitbread nz had a special xa facon 500 302 luxury,buckets t bar ,wheeltrims,she was a bloody beaut,like a fairmont w o the badges,any left.......
Sid i see cross.ply tyres being fitted!!!!???😂
Make some more of these cars
wow. its the acc building now in puhinui
Where are they now, is the question, the Engineer & his family /Kids. :)
Did NZ assemble the GT model?
This is the result of monopolies that rule in New Zealand. Imported cars had their spark plugs removed and dumped, replaced with locally made.
My Dad had one of those - that truck should have taken them straight to the tip
6:30 careful mate!
When men were men and Ford wasn't made in China
The Ford Wiri factory would've been brand new at the time of XA assembly, any idea what year and last falcon model built was?
Probably the xa falcon would have been the first model and last.
They couldn't figure out whether it was 250 or 500 so they stuck both badges on it...
500 designated the model name and 250 was the engine size in cubic inches
The 250 was half the car a 500 was.
why not let the kids sit in the car as it goes down the line? They can get even closer
Those were the days when the job got done with no dramas like all the safety shit we got nowadays with all the highviz dressing up like an esxemo to do the job
check out the porno music in the background , lol :) Still great History of a classic car ,shame its not a GT production side of things. :)
4:21 Is that a Ricky Hatton double?
Not only did the kids look bored to death their reactions don’t even seem related to whatever they are watching
Pity the poor punters that bought NZ assembled Fords
Why?
@@Rob-fc9wg Good Question, It's fair to say that I've probably never driven a New Zealand assembled Ford, born and living in Australia, I know that most of the parts were manufactured in Australia, I can 't imagine them being much different, Maybe Blissy 1 knows something We don't
Ahh the ANALOG DAYS❤
No health and safety here mate! Wait till they get their grubby hands on all of the industry, what did it do to the New Zealand automotive industry?
Where's the GT vid
And where are the 2 Door Coupes?
Choice bro
Could they please send me a complete car, V8 manual please!
No safety glasses in the body shop not very smart. I expect the plant was on its last legs at that time.
XA i prefer the the name Falcon 500
A Falcon 500 could be XW, XY, XA, XB, XC
@@Rob-fc9wg Falcon 500 went back as far as the XR.
@@Rob-fc9wg or were Falcons in New Zealand Fully imported prior to the XW.
@@Geoffroxx
The XA was the first Falcon produced in NZ.
@@Geoffroxx
Yes. I stand corrected.
Cheers bloke.
Horrible cars really.
But at least we were capable of making our own, unlike now.
Xa's look cooler than xb's. And no-one likes the xc.
Dad has a nasty beard.
What a shit production method slow and costly no wonder ford went down!
Time costs Money , Ford are gone ! Mr Greg Knucklehead!
Try putting parts on a moving car on a production line, and you'll find out how fast "slow" is, it takes time and practice, some people never get up to that speed, and so continue working on sub assembly stations. and there's no shame in that, it can be repetitive.
Outdated ill handling ugly boat before it even left the line
Still got my XA I parked it up after I replaced it with a later model about 25 years ago, I have had three six cylinder fords since the XA . Got a bit of rust in it, as it was leaking, it started last time I tried it about 10 years ago been under cover for 13 years now. Was out in the open for 4 years.
It has character, only used it to pull the caravan, has done 100,000 miles around NZ.