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Walking across the track of a unused production line, Ian went on to
fill us in that this was used for the production of the Rover 75.
Things are now getting a little busier as we can see workers ahead, to
our right is the tooling for the windscreens and complete engines to
our left.
A brief pause from Ian gives everyone a chance to catch up, he then
talks to us about the N Series engine. Derived from the K series with
many changes to the waterways to help with cooling, the quality of the
casting is evident. According to Ian the block will melt before the
head gasket fails, not sure if that is good or not and only time will
tell if the prevention of the dreaded HGF has been successful. Slowly
walking forward we see the engine into the sub frame, drive shafts,
brakes etc for the rear. At the same time a few feet ahead the front
sub frame is also taking shape with the red AP calipers standing out.
Above us the bodies are on the track and moving at the same speed as
the sub frames ready for the body to be dropped down on to them.
Every F & TF owner needs this facility built into their own garages,
this is simplicity of getting the job done. Fortunate or just good
timing on Ian's behalf we saw the last body drop of the day, four
workers at each corner, the body is lowered and with a little re
adjustment the body is in place followed by the sound of air tools
bolting everything together. The car body and sub frames now in harmony, travel along the
production line a short distance before ascending up for
trimming the inside of the car.
Climbing the stairs we are met with more cars undergoing the fitment
of trim, now stop me here for a little while and get me DHL on the
phone as I have an urgent delivery from MG back to my house. How good
would a garage look with all these switches, dashboards, grommets,
nuts, bolts etc. neatly placed at almost arms length from the car. One
bit I forgot to mention is in the rear towing eye of every car has
paperwork passed through it to show everything that has been fitted to it, I guess it's
identity and history is already taking shape.
As you walk along you see different bits added and more employees
going about their jobs, again this is something else I must mention.
18 people assemble these cars that's it, not sure how it works but the
further along we walk it is obvious it does. All of them look
genuinely happy to be making cars again, and it seems a place where
everyone gets on without malice. Ian seems to have nicknames for
everyone, and one unfortunate called FB but I won't go into that one.
Well we are nearly at the end of the trim section, Ian pauses and said
'I wondered where it was' this car is the first production of the 85th
Anniversary. The car is in white minus it's viper stripes and a few
other bits, but this was very exciting to know we are one of the few
who can say that we saw the first one being made.
Moving the to end of the upper level, the cars descend again, and back
in full flight of conversation Ian explains the next stage is the
water test. The door trims are not on the interior as Ian explains it
is pointless looking for leaks if they are leaking in places which can
not be seen which makes sense.
All the seals have been reworked and altered to make the car as water
resistant as it ever will be, it is interesting to see that the seal
which is behind the passenger and drivers head where the soft top and
body meets has been extended in height to close the gap. This will
also help with wind noise as if water can't get in then wind noise
will be reduced. |
On The Upper Level Of
The Production Line
N Series Engine
The Body Drop
Very First 85th Anniversary on the Production Line
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