The Car the Kids Built is a brilliantly appointed Venom Red AU2 Fairmont Ghia built virtually by hand - and including some amazing features and personal touches.  Part of Ford Australia’s 75^th Anniversary Celebrations, in it’s essence it could have been a Ford show car produced only for the show circuit to woo buyers and enthusiasts alike.  But it is far more than that – as it was built by a very special group of people – the children of Ford employees themselves.  Built especially to be donated to the famous & well known children’s charity - Variety Club, it will be auctioned at the Variety Club AFL Grand Final lunch on August 30, 2000.

 

     Children of employees worked on every stage of the car’s production, from casting to painting, trim and pre-delivery.  Talk about a day at work with Mum/Dad!  Over 750 children aged between 5 and 14 worked on the car as it moved through it’s production stages at both Geelong and Broadmeadows in Melbourne as well as at Ford’s performance partner, Tickford.  More than 400 employees were also involved in assisting and helping to co-ordinate the project.

 

     An idea initially penned by Ford’s 75^th Anniversary Co-ordinator, Sean Managh while at home, the car took 3 months to build and 6 months to plan.  Indeed, Geoff Polites kept a close watch on progress as he related rather excitedly it’s progress to workers each week via email.  In a world-first - never before has a car been built in this fashion - with both children and workers getting their hands dirty.  Families were involved from every part of the company and suppliers also provided special parts for the car.

     “I hear that the children working on the 'Car the Kids Built' have done a bit of ad-libbing in the paint shop. The end result is that the Fairmont now sports a pair of GT-style black stripes down the bonnet. Don't know if we'll go into full-scale production with that one, but it's a nice touch.”  - Geoff Polites in one of his weekly communications with workers.

 

      The programme has seen some unusual orders going out to Ford’s suppliers too – as Ford has worked to equip each child in the appropriate protective clothing – whether it be ultra small sized overalls or pint sized safety boots!  Lint-free smocks and caps, as well as special paint goggles had to be made for the paint shop.  Special safety glasses, ear plugs, protective gloves and Hard Yakka children’s overalls in traditional Ford blue were amongst the comprehensive list of work clothing and gear needed for the pint sized work force.

 

     “I popped in to have a look at the "Car the Kids Built" this week and left really impressed by the project. There were about 20 kids and their parents from the trim line working on the car, fitting shocks, installing fuel lines and plugging drainage holes. The kids really looked the part in their custom-made overalls and workshirts and everybody had a great time.” – You can’t get much better than this almost live commentary made by Geoff Polites.  You can almost feel the excitement.

 

     The first Australian produced Ford was built in Geelong in 1925 and Falcon remains the only car completely designed and built in Australia.  It was no surprise when the Fairmont Ghia with it’s 4.0litre Variable Cam Timing Intech engine was chosen to showcase Ford Australia’s design credentials.  See below for a comprehensive list of features fitted to the Car the Kids Built.

 

      The car was scheduled for it's last stop - for accessory fitment in FCSD - on July 14.  “The Car the Kids Built" was then handed over to the chairperson of the Variety Club of Victoria, Dr Sally Cockburn by Geoff Polites.  The car itself was hidden inside a giant box and wrapped like a present in blue Ford paper with a white bow. On cue, 25 kids tore all the paper off the "present" and handed the keys over to a representative from Broadmeadows Special School, one of the many charities to benefit from Variety Club funds.  

 

     Everybody who contributed to the program enjoyed it immensely – which is the way work should be!  So who will be the lucky owner of this new (and rare) breed of Falcon come August 30^th?  Who knows – but my congratulations to who ever it is – you have purchased a truly great automobile!  Maybe it could be you!!!

 

So I will leave the last comment to the man himself:

     “The project is a great opportunity for staff to share their work experience with their kids and a chance for the children to experience the excitement of being involved in one of Australia's great manufacturing traditions. Once it is finished, the Fairmont Ghia will be presented to the Variety Club and auctioned at the Variety Club's AFL Grand Final lunch on August 30.  This project is a winner from start to finish allowing our people the opportunity to involve their families in their work, and ending with a donation to a very worthwhile charity.  Congratulations to Sean Managh and all the team who have been so active in its conception and presentation.”  - Geoff Polites on the Car the Kids Built.

 

Article compiled by Douglas Bevan.

Page design by Anthony Robinson.

Information gleaned from the following articles:

“Australian Kids Build Fairmont Ghia for Charity Club” FCN Online June 15^th, 2000.

     Thanks to Sean Managh of Ford Australia for his input and information.

Thanks to the Ford Discovery Centre for allowing us to take photos of this magnificent vehicle.

 

Special Features of “The Car the Kids Built”:

 

Body and Paint:

Ø      Venom Red paint (not available as a Faimont Ghia colour)

Ø      Unique black “GT” stripes on the bonnet.

Ø      Black painted AU2 side & rear skirts (body kit), including deck lid spoiler.

Ø      T-series TE50 front bumper/spoiler/grill with unique black painted grill insert and lower spoiler section.  (T-series bumper not an option on Fairmont Ghia, black paint not even available on T-series).

Ø      Black gloss painted side protection strips.

Ø      Sunroof.

 

Interior and Entertainment:

Ø      Standard AU2 Fairmont in dash 6 CD stacker plus:

Ø      First ever Australian car to be fitted with rear seat entertainment from the factory, including a DVD player, VHS video and Nintendo capabilities.

Ø      Factory fitted with Ford Satellite Navigation.

Ø      Unique hand stitched black leather seats with red leather inserts.

Ø      Console lid cover in red leather stitched with “The Car the Kids Built”.

Ø      Momo steering wheel.

 

Brakes and Handling:

Ø      T-Series Premium brakes (un-available as an option on a standard Fairmont Ghia).

Ø      Sports Suspension including the Fairmont Ghia’s multilink fully Independent Rear Suspension.

Ø      TS50 18” wheels (not an option on Fairmont Ghia).

 

Hand Built Engine:

Ø      Based on a XR6 VCT 4.0 litre SOHC Intech engine made at Ford’s engine plant, Geelong.  Featuring:

Ø      a black powder coated (semi gloss) structural sump,

Ø      red powder coated intake manifold (both halves) and throttle body (same colour as Tickford rocker cover). 

Ø      Black painted block.

Ø      Black painted EL drive belt shield (deleted at AU for cost reasons).