The Fairmont Fleet Downunder

The pre WW2 Fairmont fleet is being researched at present (Feb 2004) with some interesting data coming to light. I will post it in due course with the relevant acknowledgments of those who are providing me with so much assistance.

The present day (post WW2) Fairmonts that everyone is familiar with first hit the tracks of Australia in 1949 when the firm Tutt-Bryant, a big machinery supplier, imported two standard gauge cars to Australia for trials by the New South Wales Government Railways.....

Following the unmitigated success of these two Fairmonts orders were placed for more and they were assembled under licence here in Australia by Tutt-Bryants at their plant in Rydalmere, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales. The early cars were mostly assembled with imported components direct from the Fairmont factory in Fairmont Minnesota USA with local steel content. Sometime during the 50's Tutt-Bryants development arm 'South Pacific Engineering' tooled up in a big way and cast many parts locally including the unique spring suspension for gang cars...more on that to be posted in a separate page.

Even though Fairmonts were assembled in Australia they were built under strict supervision by Fairmont MN. Fairmont MN would regularly send out company reps to inspect the production line and finished product. I note a number of Tutts employee's also visited Fairmonts MN factory.

Fairmonts now well retired Export Manager, Kenneth Nelson, who is in his 83rd year by the way, has fond memories of coming out to Australia to inspect the production line.

Australian Fairmonts were for all intents and purposes exact copies of their North American counter parts bar from a few approved Australian modifications. Finer details like Safety First Badges, Timer Control Plate, Instruction plate and Patent plate had to be affixed to the car when it left the factory. Only the very trained eye could tell the difference with regards to different steel, paint color etc with most models that were not modified.

The original Fairmont car name plate (F7244) and number plate (F9231) where not affixed to many Australian Fairmonts. Instead Tutts had their own single plate for this and these were affixed to the cars from the very start of assembly in Australia. It makes sense if you think about it. The cars were assembled here and Tutts was the manufacturer and parts supplier. If these Fairmont named plates were attached confusion would reign as to who to contact for service and parts.

Tutts catered for the class name, engine number and Tutts's own serial id number on the one plate with clear identification. Pictured is the plate off a 'QR' ST2Z42-H-1 Road Number 226, serial No.1023, engine No.96085E which was assembled around mid 1955. I note that the later produced Pacific ACE cars serial plates did not cater for the engine number as Tutts referenced their cars by serial number/model in lieu of engine number as was practiced by Fairmont MN. Tutt-Bryants were also not strict with car model identification and have omitted the reference to Magneto Ignition which this car came with.

New data to hand (March 2004) will go close to determining how many motor cars were in Australia and I hope to post this information in due course.