Gaydon factory tour

[gfc580]

Hi,

I'm off to the Gaydon factory on Monday for the tour, any hints or tips as to how to get the most out of it?

Cheers,
Geoff.

[petop]

Firstly take a small hidden digital camera and a black marker pen.

If you don't intend visiting again and be the most popular member on this forum, evade your "escorts", grab a lying-around AM logo'd jacket/polo shirt and clipboard which on the back you write in big letters "2017 V8V Test Team".....and go looking!

[Frances The Mute]

Hang back as long as you can and drink it all in.

I had an impromptu tour (not an official one I may add) with them last year. It's a very impressive facility with plenty of areas to analyse and question.

One particular thing that struck me was the quality of finish on the spine of the car that houses the torque tube and transaxle. The paint was better than the exterior of some cars.

[Jon39]

gfc580 said:

Hi,

I'm off to the Gaydon factory on Monday for the tour, any hints or tips as to how to get the most out of it?

Cheers,
Geoff.

I am sure you will have a great time.
There is so much to take in on a first visit, that I was going to suggest that you might like to view a video before you go.

Unfortunately, the really good film that I had in mind (by Speedmakers), seems to have gone from the internet. There might be others on YouTube.

Not directly related, but the old Newport Pagnell films are fascinating, accompanied by a constant hammering of bodywork. None of that at Gaydon.

There is also a Prodrive (Aston Martin Racing) factory film, which is good fun. A young lady presents the film. She has great enthusiasm, but with the occasional strange question. I particularly liked her comment, when she noticed an "engine with spikes".

Enjoy your tour.

[gfc580]

Jon39 said:

gfc580 said:

Hi,

I'm off to the Gaydon factory on Monday for the tour, any hints or tips as to how to get the most out of it?

Cheers,
Geoff.

I am sure you will have a great time.
There is so much to take in on a first visit, that I was going to suggest that you might like to view a video before you go.

Unfortunately, the really good film that I had in mind (by Speedmakers), seems to have gone from the internet. There might be others on YouTube.

Not directly related, but the old Newport Pagnell films are fascinating, accompanied by a constant hammering of bodywork. None of that at Gaydon.

There is also a Prodrive (Aston Martin Racing) factory film, which is good fun. A young lady presents the film. She has great enthusiasm, but with the occasional strange question. I particularly liked her comment, when she noticed an "engine with spikes".

Enjoy your tour.

Cheers Jon, I'm really looking forward to it, I'll try & find the videos.

[gfc580]

petop said:

Firstly take a small hidden digital camera and a black marker pen.

If you don't intend visiting again and be the most popular member on this forum, evade your "escorts", grab a lying-around AM logo'd jacket/polo shirt and clipboard which on the back you write in big letters "2017 V8V Test Team".....and go looking!

Hmmm, an interesting plan. Did you ever think of joining MI5/MI6?

[gfc580]

Jon39 said:

gfc580 said:

Hi,

I'm off to the Gaydon factory on Monday for the tour, any hints or tips as to how to get the most out of it?

Cheers,
Geoff.

I am sure you will have a great time.
There is so much to take in on a first visit, that I was going to suggest that you might like to view a video before you go.

Unfortunately, the really good film that I had in mind (by Speedmakers), seems to have gone from the internet. There might be others on YouTube.

Not directly related, but the old Newport Pagnell films are fascinating, accompanied by a constant hammering of bodywork. None of that at Gaydon.

There is also a Prodrive (Aston Martin Racing) factory film, which is good fun. A young lady presents the film. She has great enthusiasm, but with the occasional strange question. I particularly liked her comment, when she noticed an "engine with spikes".

Enjoy your tour.

Cheers Jon, I'm really looking forward to it, I'll try & find the videos.

[Bincenzo]

Geoff,
It's an amazing opportunity so have a think about what you really want to know before you get there (apart from the spy shots). What will seem entirely normal to anyone that works there is actually quite remarkable to those that visit. You may well be shown around by a chap called Mark. If so, and he has a beard, then you will be treated to a unique tour by a chap with a real sense of history of the place, and for very good reason. He is related to a very key person in the company's history. I'll let all of that come out in the tour.
However, if it's not Mark, fear not as all tour guides are incredibly well informed and welcoming. You'll have an absolute ball, enjoy.

[Dewi 1]

Bincenzo said:

You may well be shown around by a chap called Mark. If so, and he has a beard, then you will be treated to a unique tour by a chap with a real sense of history of the place, and for very good reason. He is related to a very key person in the company's history. I'll let all of that come out in the tour.

I won't spoil it by revealing the surname, but I think Mark is now involved with the limited edition 'specials' customers.

Bincenzo said:

However, if it's not Mark, fear not as all tour guides are incredibly well informed and welcoming. You'll have an absolute ball, enjoy.

Steve is one of the guides, and he has 'seen it all', from Newport Pagnell onwards.

[JohnG1]

gfc580 said:

Hi,

I'm off to the Gaydon factory on Monday for the tour, any hints or tips as to how to get the most out of it?

Cheers,
Geoff.

Pay attention!

When I was there it was just before the new Vanquish was announced. The internal project name was AM320. I saw a box with "AM320 only" written in marker pen and so piped up and asked Mark (same one as Bincenzo mentions) "oh, what's an AM320?"

He looked a little bit flustered for a nanosecond but he saw me grin and then turned it into a joke at my expense.

Enjoy!