Fisherman’s Bend

Fisherman’s Bend is located in the Port Melbourne area of Melbourne. The factory was on the corner of Salmon Street and Williamstown Road.

Like Ryton, Fishermen’s Bend was originally used for aircraft production during the war. The history of the plant has not been well documented so my list of cars assembled here is partially based on supposition.

The only Sunbeam I know of assembled here was the Mark III (90). Other Rootes models assembled here were the Minx (& Husky), big Humbers, Super Minx, Vogue, Gazelle, Imp and Hunter/Arrow, none of which were badged as Sunbeams in Australia. Some of these were to markedly different specification to their British-built equivalents. I expect some Commers and Karriers were assembled here too.


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This photograph was most likely taken in the late fifties.
This photograph was most likely taken in the late fifties.
Thanks to Darryl Jenetsky for this second shot of the factory, taken a few years earlier.
Thanks to Darryl Jenetsky for this second shot of the factory, taken a few years earlier.
Marcus Fennessy has sent in a photo of the factory as it is today. It's currently being used as an indoor paintball arena.
Marcus Fennessy has sent in a photo of the factory as it is today. It’s currently being used as an indoor paintball arena.

One thought on “Fisherman’s Bend”

  1. Hi – I noticed in the Age newspaper, probably early in July 2015, that the Rootes Fisherman’s Bend site will be redeveloped fairly soon. I’m not sure of the timeframe but I imagine that the tenants on the site must be planning to move their businesses relatively soon. The plan is to build a lot of relatively low-rise housing on the site, but like many, I feel it will be a shame to lose the remnants of the Rootes plant that still remain. I only came to the realisation earlier this year that the Rootes plant was in this location, so I’m glad to have least seen it. Regards, Geoff

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