Bowdens buy the Big Pineapple

[buggerlugs]

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au...bowden-family/

[Jason[98.EL]]

it sounds like it would be worth the trip there

ICONIC tourism attraction the Big Pineapple has been sold to a family who will turn it into a Mecca for Australian motor sports enthusiasts.

The Bowden family, of Buderim, will showcase their collection of Australian motor racing history within the existing buildings, retaining the Big Pineapple which has been the dominant feature for almost four decades.

Patriarch David, a share trade adviser who buys and sells historic race cars as well as running a car care products division which carries the family name, has built up Australia’s finest collection of vehicles.

It includes cars raced by Allan Moffat and Dick Johnson.

The collection includes Moffat’s famous bright red Coca-Cola 302 Trans-Am Mustang, first raced in 1969, and the vehicle Johnson was driving when he hit a rock in the 1980 Bathurst race, sparking a wave of public support which saw donations of $70,000 flow in to get him back on track.

David’s sons, Chris and Dan, will refurbish the Big Pineapple’s tired facilities before reopening.

Both have lived on the Coast all their lives and were frequent visitors to the attraction in its heyday.

The family have been in close talks with the Coast council about their plans and are looking forward to re-opening with full facilities, including food service.

Pineapple sundaes, part of the DNA of the place, would be retained on the menu.

The aim is to have the revamped attraction open for the start of the Christmas holidays, but delays in taking possession and the amount of work that needs to be done would make that a challenge.

The sale includes the 80 hectare parcel of land that includes the Big Pineapple site and continues through from Nambour Connection Road to the Bruce Highway, and land containing car parking on the southern side of Nambour Connection Road.

Spokesman Guy Gibbons of Bennett Carroll Solicitors said the takeover announcement would put an end to rumours that the site would be redeveloped as a retirement village or for subdivision.

“This will preserve the site, retain the Pineapple and give the community something to be proud of,” he said.

“And it will mean local jobs.

“The family is absolutely thrilled with the outcome.

“They have been holding small showcase events of some of the vehicles but have been looking for somewhere to open up the collection to the public.”

As many as 40 cars from the family’s collection would be on display at any one time.

Mr Gibbons said the old pineapple and macadamia nut attraction had remained a drawcard due to its longevity but was well past its best.

Websites were littered with disparaging remarks by international tourists left unimpressed by their visit to the attraction, which sits on the Nambour Connection Road just past the Bruce Highway entrance to Maroochydore Road and south of the Woombye turn-off.

The Big Pineapple hadoperated in receivership for the past two years.

Farmland around the attraction has been sold separately.

[Mr Hardware]

Bowden?

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Bowden?

Yeah a bit like that, wonder what bought on the decision. At least its staying in local hands

[Eleanor]

That's awesome. Will be interesting to see if any new DA sees any other interesting additions to the 80 hectares.

I have an old pic in an album here somewhere of my Dad's brand new (at the time) XB GS with original 12 slots and red-walls parked outside the Big Pineapple in the mid 70's.

I reckon this would be a fitting topic to post the pic in !

[flappist]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Yeah a bit like that, wonder what bought on the decision. At least its staying in local hands

Big paddock, existing infrastructure, local council wanting to support it (shock horror).

No if thay make some sort of driving/driver training facility in the middle then it may be a huge winner.....

[Polyal]

They are a very smart crew thats for sure, whats the history with those guys? I know Dan? is on here but how did they become what they are now?

Ive never been up that way, and never really wanted to see the big pineapple but now there is a case for it..LOL

[Scott]

Well that is good news.

[flappist]

I hear that HSV are looking at moving their museum into a similar environment and have put in a bid to buy "The big Lemon"

[Falcon Coupe]

Originally Posted by flappist

I hear that HSV are looking at moving their museum into a similar environment and have put in a bid to buy "The big Lemon"

I shouldn't do it but I will...

[Noddy]

Yeah driver training centre would be a great addition. I don't know how much land they have purchased with the building though. I doubt they could run any of the race cars outside due to noise restrictions.

At the time i heard about this (few months ago) it sounds like the cars will be an indoor static display only. Even the possibility of firing cars up (being indoors and OH&S) was not looking possible.

I still think this is a great move because where they are now limits the cars they can display at any one time. I have done few tours and the group numbers were a managable 20-30. This move will allow them to run large numbers of tourists through the place as well as running guided tours. Its the best way to grow the current business and open other opportunities.

I will remember the past tours fondly though because i have a feeling the cars will not be as accessible as they are in their current display. I hope i'm wrong.

[FTe342]

The article above says the sale includes 80ha but then the last paragraph says farmland around the attraction has been sold separately. So what did Bowdens buy?

[GRNKPR]

its finally out been sitting on this for a while .This will bring one of the best car collections to the people in an awsome part of Australia and these guys dont do things by halves !!!!! i wish the guys all the best its been a long time in the pipe line and now its go time !!well done boys

[OLDFORDNUT]

im fairly certain the reporter stated the recievers accepted a bargain basement offer from the Bowdens ,They were in the right place at the right time when the recievers were deciding what to do.

[Fairlane]

Awesome. I live under 10 mins from the Big Pineapple and havent been in their since I was a kid, overpriced sundaes dont appeal to me. Overpriced sundae's and a Phase 3 GTHO will.

[QLD-Bluey]

Good one Bowdens!!! Thanks!!

[UNR8D]

yea ill be keen for a look see once its reopened, im with you Fairlane on that...

Overpriced sundae's and a Phase 3 GTHO will.

[xbrules]

Wonderfull move, I went to the collection in may, very impressed but it was pretty clear their obsession with cars was having a fairly sizeable impact of storage space. can't wait to see the end result, a Champion's Brock experience but with other cars will be an awesome thing.

[Bundy]

Any time you want to jump in on this thread Dan, it would be ace

[V8 Man]

Good news, I'm a fairly frequent visitor to Qld, only ever been to the pineapple once, about 25 years ago, and it was pretty lame. Now I plan to visit again very soon. Good one Bowdens!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by flappist

I hear that HSV are looking at moving their museum into a similar environment and have put in a bid to buy "The big Lemon"

[XAGSV8]

Oh goody, only 10 or so minutes from my house. My son and I will have to buy a yearly pass if they become available.

[BIGJB]

Originally Posted by flappist

I hear that HSV are looking at moving their museum into a similar environment and have put in a bid to buy "The big Lemon"

You crack me up Flappist.

[SVR73]

I was a visitor to the Big Pineapple in 1984 during a big gold coast/sunshine coast holiday and think that this is great news
Better for someone to buy it, revamp it and use the facilities to their max than let it get tired and delapitated

[Stefan]

Good that the cars will be on permanent display.

It is a bit of a strange combo a big fruit and race cars. I can't imagine a person that wants to see one, cares in the least bit about the other.

I'll go see the cars but could not care less about the pineapple, my 70yo mother will love to see the pineapple but be turned off by the occasional start up of a race car with open pipes.

I can't imagine what the souvenir will look like.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Good that the cars will be on permanent display.

It is a bit of a strange combo a big fruit and race cars. I can't imagine a person that wants to see one, cares in the least bit about the other.

I'll go see the cars but could not care less about the pineapple, my 70yo mother will love to see the pineapple but be turned off by the occasional start up of a race car with open pipes.

I can't imagine what the souvenir will look like.

Having seen the big pineapple a few times ids still go to see it if there was something else there aswell. Now there will be cars there aswell im happy to go and see both once its up and running. Keeping these things in QLD is also another bonus

[Gaz]

Originally Posted by flappist

I hear that HSV are looking at moving their museum into a similar environment and have put in a bid to buy "The big Lemon"

I'm suprised the Police and QLD Govt didn't buy the big pineapple and make it a display about speeding....

[Kamshaaft]

Well you can label me excited to see this! I spent a bit of my growing up time just down the road a bit and haven't been back in 12 - 13years, this is something to entice me back - and perfect timing, as I'm in Victoria right now but moving to Brisbane in 2 weeks!

[XAGSV8]

Originally Posted by Gaz

I'm suprised the Police and QLD Govt didn't buy the big pineapple and make it a display about speeding....

Trust me they wouldn't pump a cent into the Sunshine Coast even for this.

[outback_ute]

Drove past that just the other week, good to hear there will be a reason to go back soon (like others I went there ~20+ years ago...)