Yesterday a bunch of us went for a special visit to the Rolls Royce assembly plant at Goodwood.
HUGE thanks must go to Brian Bates a Rolls Royce employee who has an FD and is a member of MRC, Brian arranged the visit for the club.
It takes 3-4 months for them to build your specification car. There appears to be no limit to extra\'s you can have (as long as you are happy with the V12 and most of the mechanicals!).
The cars are all assembled at Goodwood. 50% of their customers are based in the US, 8% in the UK, Europe, China, Middle East, India, Europe, etc.
Obviously a lot of work goes into a Rolls Royce, with some of the optional extra\'s alone you could probably purchase 3 or 4 new RX-8\'s! They produce around 5 cars a week from the Goodwood.
Most of the major components are built in Germany by BMW (like the body shell, engine, drivetrain etc.). Engine\'s are one-off\'s by BMW, that are built in the same facility the BMW F1 engines are built.
Bare body shells arrive at the factory from Germany, they are then painted. You can pick from 45,000 colours, two tone is common - along with some pretty cool custom graphics which they have just introduced.
Electricals, Suspension, are then added as the cars move along the production line. The dash support is Magnesium! which helps with body strength, quite a work of art.
Engine, gearbox, etc. all come assembled on their own - driveline is assembled at the plant then attached to the car from underneath.
Engines are a V12 naturally aspirated producing around 450hp. It was interesting to note that things like the exhaust and brake set-up\'s didn\'t look all that special - pretty much standard modern day car.
You can choose from 21 and 22 inch wheels (I think 4 types) - they have run-flat tyres so you don\'t need a spare.
Before all of the above is done, the trimmers and cabinet makers have already started work on the interiors.
Leather comes from RR Cows - kept in padded paddocks where they can\'t mark their skins.
They aim to keep the same body shape of their\'s models for around 15 years.
You only get a 4 year, unlimited mileage warranty! When spending more than £250,000 for a base model - you would think a 15 year warranty would be better ;) Most of their cars are around the £300,000 mark after options have been added.
We weren\'t allowed to take photos inside for obvious reasons, but did take a few outside - below.
It was a real eye opener!
.
..
Looks very interesting Glenn, but why did you all go dressed as Arthur Daily? ;)
I was only talking to someone the other day about their factory and was gone suggest it to the club that we see if you could arrange a day visit to the factory, but it looks like you beat me to it. I wish i\'d known about this as i only live up the road and would of loved to of seen around the place. :(
Looks like you had a good day. I saw a new Phantom on the A3 the other day and they look huge! The guy driving it wasn\'t hanging around either lol
Adam
I remember walking aroudn the Aston Martin plate years back. What a skill these guys have, and such a shame that most of it is dying out. :(
Fish
HQUOTE]Originally posted by Ada7
I was only talking to someone the other day about their factory and was gone suggest it to the club that we see if you could arrange a day visit to the factory, but it looks like you beat me to it. I wish i\'d known about this as i only live up the road and would of loved to of seen around the place. :(
Hi
The trip was advertised in the last Newsletter to all Fully paid up Members only - due to Rotorstock, I did not have a lot of time to chase up people to see if they wanted to come.
If anyone else would like a visit to any other car manufacturer,
then let me know by email Lisa@mazdarotaryclub.com and I will contact them on behalf of all our members.
Sorry once again that you missed this event.
Regards
QuoteOriginally posted by Lisa
Sorry once again that you missed this event.
Regards [/B]
Its ok. Sniff.. Sniff ;)
Used to make parts for RR ! the technology that goes into one those cars is amazing. Some of the cross beams are smaller in trucks !
Used to make engine and gearbox bits, amazing tolerances and noise testing for mating gears too.
Shaun
I presumed it was for Roll Royce Derby ... i.e Aero engines :rollin If I\'d known it were the cars I\'d have come along.
Pro-Drive and Ford M-sport do very good tours for clubs ;) I may be able to find the M-sport contact if they still run tours.
So what\'s the spec on the one you ordered then Glen.. ;)
I wouldnt mind a in depth look at the manufacturing of TVR\'s as all there shells are done by hand, simply gorgeous. Or see how the Radical\'s are put together and how they perform ;)
QuoteOriginally posted by TRex
So what\'s the spec on the one you ordered then Glen.. ;)
LOL!!!
As much as I don\'t mind looking at the car, they are just too something!?!? hard to explain, I wouldn\'t like to own one.
I think if you did own one you would look silly driving it, you would really need a driver :)
QuoteOriginally posted by <--rYaN-->
Or see how the Radical\'s are put together and how they perform ;)
They perform very well.... :D
Fish
Love to try and get a tour around the TVR factory only about 20 miles up the road from me. Worth a phone call for NW members ???
Shaun
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
I\'ll bring a bucket, to catch the drool...
What you didnt see any of their old Wankel stuff? Didnt they make a huge engine, supposedly for Tanks or something?
I\'m pleased all that went enjoyed the experience. I made a point of not mentioning the flasher mac\'s:rollin . It\'s a hell of a place to work especially as I don\'t have to wear one of them coats.:D
It\'s still a big beemer though.
QuoteOriginally posted by Baz
It\'s still a big beemer though.
Huge thanks Baz for all your arranging to get us in the door to see all those Beemer\'s ;)
Seriously it was a real good day out thankyou.:)
Glad you enjoyed it. I suppose it\'s not such a bad car really. Plenty of room for a 4 rotor transplant. RRR:)