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General Car Related Discussion.To discuss anything that is related to cars and automotive technology that doesnt naturally fit into another forum catagory.
Many of you that work or follow Ford more closely should know the Heritage Fleet has been re-homed from its former blue tin shack in Essex to its new location in Daventry, I have been helping Fords Heritage & Innovation team with Advocacy, with a long term goal of making the venue and the fleet more accessible to its loyal enthusiast's & public and for corperate functions & events, some parts are a little time away as theres still some issues that need to be overcome, however as a special treat from Fords management I was allowed full access to the collection, even had a guided personal tour which I was very appreciative of, then given option to take a couple out on a road tests solo just as motoring Journalists and Celebs like Clarkson do, I did not need asking twice, I took many 100s of photos but wanted to share with you guys a few which at least should give many of you hope to finally get entry to the collection in the not too distant future
The day was off to a great start when at the security entry gates I was greated with a Mk2 Abu Dhabi Focus on Display
how do you arrange to get into the heritage centre stevie
i have one of those mk5 transit hallmarks in Auralis blue ,one of 200
One of the reasons I am involved with the Heritage & Innovation team was offering insight into how to do this to get this collection to the public, as its currently not available to the public, it will happen in stages 1st part will be press & corporate, then tours & clubs, last phase will be public as theres so much more in terms of staffing/security/vending & merch, but the ball is rolling now but can roll slightly at times due to red tape, But after speaking to upper Ford management just days ago they are now listening to us the enthusiast sector
heres a treat for you the last southampton van signed by entire production line
Hi Steve ,looks like a great new building to keep the collection in, which cars did they let you have a drive in?
had choice of 30 ish cars that were road ready and prepped for use by journalists and other Ford staff, so many of my mates own what I call bucket list Fords and have driven theirs and the gt40 and gt along with rally cars were off limits and rightly so, so I went for the Mk1 FRS that hammond tested on top gear and took that for long solo road test, and my other option was a 1963 consul cabriolet
Hi Steve, so how do you think the first edition Focus RS compares to the later models? The Consul must have been an interesting comparison!! Was it the 3 speed column change model? What I think is good with the Ford Heritage collection is that all the cars are up together and running which is so much better than just being static museum exhibits!! You must be so pleased with your day out!! Hopefully I will be seeing some nice Fords on Sunday at Beaulieu.
Hi Steve, so how do you think the first edition Focus RS compares to the later models? The Consul must have been an interesting comparison!! Was it the 3 speed column change model? What I think is good with the Ford Heritage collection is that all the cars are up together and running which is so much better than just being static museum exhibits!! You must be so pleased with your day out!! Hopefully I will be seeing some nice Fords on Sunday at Beaulieu.
It was a meeting the main reason for my visit to the Heritage centre but they knew prior I was a Ford nut so gave me full vip treatment as a thank you for my assistance, I spent a good amount of time with Len who many would have seen on the recent wheeler dealer episode featuring the st225 which was a lovely treat, re the FRS front being such low miles it was all tight with almost a new car feeling no rattles nor clonks, a little laggy on boost but handled great and went well, comparing it to say a ST225 it felt more agile and nippy more on par with a stage 1 st225, but felt slow compared to my own ST, but a great drive all the same and yes column change on the Consul lovely cruiser no doubting, and upon leaving, Ford Uks Director of PR gave me an armful of goodies which really was a shock and crowned off a lovely day with his PR team
Wow you jammy so and so, bloody fair play to you though as I would pay to view them
Jammy cheeky sod, its payback for many years of being loyal to blue oval, plus it was a working day on behalf of all Ford enthusiasts , heres the main pic collage on you tube
Be a good day looking round there. Some moneys worth now as well i bet lol
Thats not the entire collection either as some cars are on loan to other museums and a few out on press release , not to mention the cars they have in storage awaiting restoration, may take a year or two before the public can access the collection first hand which is why I took the pics for you all.
The Consul must have been an interesting comparison!! Was it the 3 speed column change model? What I think is good with the Ford Heritage collection is that all the cars are up together and running which is so much better than just being static museum exhibits!!
on the day I was there there was 33 running and driving cars to choose from and a fair few that needed specialist driving but the aim is to have all vehicles operational
The Consul must have been an interesting comparison!! Was it the 3 speed column change model? What I think is good with the Ford Heritage collection is that all the cars are up together and running which is so much better than just being static museum exhibits!!
on the day I was there there was 33 running and driving cars to choose from and a fair few that needed specialist driving but the aim is to have all vehicles operational
Fords Heritage & Innovation Centre 2023
, heres the main pic collage on you tube
