- Address: 13-35 Makey Street, North Geelong VIC 3215, Australia
- Phone: +61 3 5215 1181
- Website: www.ford.com.au
- Opening date: 1999
- Cost of visit: 13 Australian dollars
In Australia, in the city of Geelong in 1925, the Ford automobile plant was founded, the machines of which predominate on the Green Continent. On the territory of the enterprise, tourists are not allowed, so in 1999 the Discovery Center "The Ford" (The Ford Discovery Center) was opened.
general information
It is an interactive museum-showroom, which is dedicated to the history of creation, gradual development and modern achievements in the automotive industry. This is a small two-story building located opposite the original place of production of cars. After the opening of the first factory specializing in assembling cars using American technologies, its special "local" design was invented. It was designed taking into account all the characteristics of Australians.
In 1990, the administration of the Ford plant, together with the University of Deakin and the government of Victoria, conceived a project that would allow anyone to get acquainted with automobile production. The place was chosen quite successfully - on the embankment of the city, where there were warehouses with wool. Officially, the beginning of construction of the Discovery Center "Ford", was announced in 1997 and for 2 years all managed to do.
What to see?
Lovers of technology will appreciate Discovery Center Ford, because cars are an integral part of our lives. The institution stores documents that testify to a huge step in the development of the automotive industry and its impact on humanity.
In the museum on two floors there is an impressive collection of cars produced in different years: from historical exhibits to the modern concept - a three-wheeled car (a joint project with the university). The territory of the center is divided into thematic sections:
- Historic cars (for example, model T, with which production began, tricycle, etc.);
- racing glory Ford (Falcon GTHO 1971, Spectrum 09 Ford Capri Showcar 1991);
- times of great depression - a double pickup, invented by the Utility Coupe (Prefect in the body of UTE 1950);
- modern flagship models (Ford UTE).
Virtually all specimens are directly assembled in Australia. From the US, only Ford Mustang is brought, which is not produced on the continent. The leader in the car market of the country is the Falcon model. The basic model is usually considered XR6, which immediately comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine. Its price starts from 33 thousand Australian dollars.
In the Discovery Center "Ford" there are several sites with cross-sections of cars (Falcon, Territory and others), robots collecting models, there is a cinema hall and themed game zones. Here you can visually see the design and manufacture of machines, as well as the types of their testing in different conditions. All the necessary information is presented on special interactive stands.
Every year, scientists invent all sorts of innovations, you can find out about which in the leading Australian museum. For example, one of the expositions demonstrates the appearance of a future car with minimal economic and environmental costs.
How to get there?
The museum is located on the waterfront of the city, which can be reached on foot, by public transport or by car. The ticket costs 13 Australian dollars. Local residents are proud of their Discovery Center "Ford" and considers it the main attraction.
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