General News
10 November, 2026
Ford cars grow on Mareeba
WITHIN three years of opening, the Blundell Classic Ford Museum is about to get much bigger, with three massive sheds planned for new collections – including recently acquired machinery and memorabilia from the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Mareeba Shire Council approved the bid for expansion at its October meeting, through a material change of use application for the property on Cobra Road.
Described by Mayor Angela Toppin as a “wonderful tourism attraction”, the application received no public submissions opposing the proposal and was approved unanimously.
Currently, the museum has a large coffee shop, the Cobra Café, decorated with displays of classic china, coffee makers and kitchen appliances, as well as a whole section of Ford merchandise (and model cars) and a stunning backdrop of vintage vehicles and the last Ford to come off the line 10 years ago.
Outside, rows of large sheds hold more lovingly restored vintage Fords, from the first Model T to a 2015 Falcon.
Another shed has been divided into sections, with a display of timber cutting instruments, in a tribute to the old timber industry of the region, and a country kitchen and living area which has all of the memorabilia to see how the locals lived not so very long ago.
The shed is also being transformed for two more sections; a display of a shearing shed, and another of a milking shed.
Owner Ron Blundell is excited about the changes already underway and for what is coming.
Two new sheds are being prepared for his tractor collection, with rows of gleaming machines lined up outside awaiting their new homes.
A third shed is underway, with the slab and frame in place for the TMR collection.
“They had a horse-drawn pile driver sitting in a shed, and a 1942 grader. There’s a five-tonne lathe, built in 1908,” he said.
“They had it all in the shed and they wanted it all gone as quickly as possible. They offered us the whole collection, so we had to move pretty fast.
“We got cranes and trailers and trucks and shifted it all over. The machinery and memorabilia have to go undercover, so we are building the shed around them.
“The family and the grandkids are all coming on the weekend; they’re all pretty handy. And we’ve got a wet season coming, so I had to take a gamble and start the ball rolling, on the hope of council approval.
“But they knew we had the wherewithal to make it happen.”
Ron said all TMR items have been laid out with plenty of space for wheelchair and walker access. As well as the big-ticket items, there are collections of early versions of air compressors (characterised by their riveted construction), early welders, scales, pumps, drill presses and gear for working on the road.
Ultimately, he plans to create a display recreating a Main Roads camp, using old tarps, tables and chairs, an old-time shower copper to warm water, detonator tins, 20-litre tin drums, old jugs, wooden boxes, camp beds, and even an old-styled esky.
Despite all of the activity and growth, the museum remains open, and the beloved Ford collection will never play second fiddle to the newcomers.
The concept for the museum centred around Ron’s son Paul, who was left with brain injuries after he had a heart attack at just 31, leaving him with vision impairment and limited motor skills.
The young man had passionately amassed a collection of classic Ford cars, but could no longer drive them legally on the road, so the family decided to create the museum.
Here on the property, Paul and other family members help maintain the museum, which “took off” when it opened, Ron said.
A tribute to Paul, written by his sister Julia, explaining what happened, is on display at the café.
Ron said it was the best thing they ever did, and he and the family are keen to keep growing the operation to appeal to a broader audience. They even, ahem, have one of those “other Australian cars” on display.
“Just don’t tell Paul,” Ron joked.
People continue to donate or sell machines and cars, as well as historic bric-a-brac, and anything the Blundells can’t use, they on-sell, with proceeds going to the Mareeba Lions Club.
In the council report, the approval of the material change of use at the rural property was because the enterprise had proved itself and would continue to “deliver a unique and secure vintage vehicle and machinery museum that could be enjoyed by all”.
It also aligned with council’s rural economic diversification strategy by providing an alternative form of tourist attraction to the Mareeba locality and would not compromise future rural potential.
Blundell Classic Ford Museum Mareeba is located at 109 Cobra Road, Mareeba, and is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 2.30pm, except public holidays. Admission is $8 for children, $12 for pensioners, and $15 for general admission.
