ABOUT FORD COUPE CLUB OF AUSTRALIA
The origins of the Ford Coupe Club of Australia date back to July 1993. It began when two coupe owners met outside a factory in Kilsyth in Melbourne’s outer east. They discussed forming a club and the rest is history. The club grew quickly and eighteen coupes went on the first cruise to Geelong.
The usual recruiting methods were applied, although it wasn't uncommon for a member to jump out of their car at the lights and run over to a coupe and thrust a card through the driver’s side window. Likewise, if a coupe was spotted going in the opposite direction, a u-turn was implemented and the coupe was chased down and encouraged to pull over. You can imagine the reactions from some of the coupe owners.
In 2007, the club undertook a major event at Echuca in Northern Victoria to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the legendary 1-2 at Bathurst. Due to the popularity of the 2007 event, the club decided to organise another event in 2009. Special guest speakers at Echuca have included John Goss, former Ford designer Wayne Draper, and racing legend Murray Carter who has since become the clubs patron. Allan Moffat, Fred Gibson, John French and Kevin Bartlett have also been guests at the biennial event.
The club held their meetings at several pubs in Melbourne’s East during the nineties, moving from one pub to another for various reasons. From 2001 to 2018 it found a permanent home at the “Notting Hill Hotel” in Ferntree Gully Road.
The club exists so that coupe enthusiasts can meet other coupe owners, talk about their cars and share information and ideas that relate to their common interest. The cars of interest being XA to XC coupes, Superbirds, John Goss Specials, Falcon Cobras and the prestigious Landau. Non-members are welcome to attend the meeting as long as they have a coupe, plan to buy a coupe or they have an interest in coupes. Aside from the monthly meetings, an activity or run is organised at least once a month so that the cars can emerge from their garage and stretch their legs. Some club members participate in motor sport events at Sandown, Philip Island and Winton Raceway.
In 2007, the club undertook a major event at Echuca in Northern Victoria to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the legendary 1-2 at Bathurst. Due to the popularity of the 2007 event, the club decided to organise another event in 2009. Special guest speakers at Echuca have included John Goss, former Ford designer Wayne Draper, and racing legend Murray Carter who has since become the clubs patron. Allan Moffat, Fred Gibson, John French and Kevin Bartlett have also been guests at the biennial event.