Rootes site in Port Melbourne

It appears that the former Rootes factory in Port Melbourne is to be redeveloped.

 

Janet Bolitho of the Port Melbourne Historical Society writes:

The Rootes factory in Port Melbourne is soon to be redeveloped. We know so little about the factory.
It would be great if you could post this brief piece and ask people if they had anything to correct or to add.
We’d love to learn more detail about the cars manufactured there and the people who made them.
The article is at http://www.pmhps.org.au/2015/07/rootes-in-salmon-st/
So hope to hear from you.
Janet

If anyone can help Janet let us know and it will be passed on.

Thanks to Darryl Jenetsky for this second shot of the factory, taken a few years earlier.

 

2 thoughts on “Rootes site in Port Melbourne”

  1. Hi Janet,
    I spent a couple of days with Pat Grainger and other volunteers at PMHPS in (approx.) 2009 while searching for more info and fill in the gaps in my Rootes Group Australian history. As there was nothing in your file, got the impression 1945 -1970 was ‘too modern’ in your research guidelines. I left copies of all the information in my possession, at that time; it has grown since that meeting..
    At the time I was really anxious to get support in surveying the site, especially the area off Smith Street and even the area down to Prohasky Street. After speaking with former employees, it is thought Chrysler buried surplus parts and equipment, when they transferred all manufacturing to their existing South Australian factory. Another curiosity was whether the lead-light name ‘ROOTES Ltd’ remains above the 1st floor office entrance doors @ 19 Salmon Street.
    Should you need more, please contact me.
    Regards,
    Leighton Passant
    Attwood, Victoria 3049

  2. Hello Leighton
    I will track down those notes you made with the Historical Society. It sounds as though you worked at Rootes and I wonder what your role was there.
    Do you ever come Port Melbourne way? It would be fascinating to walk around the site with you.
    Yesterday we walked through the office administration building, looking a bit the worse for wear.
    Thanks for getting back to us.
    Janet

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