 | Home > Defender Celebration Series & Classic Works > Defender Celebration Line |
 
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| adamatdraycott Member Since: 11 Nov 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 299   
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I'm on this tour first thing tomorrow morning
Will report back if I remember! |
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2nd Feb 2015 11:58pm |
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| TJ101 Member Since: 30 May 2007 Location: Taunton Somerset Posts: 3747  
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A report would be good Adam
 California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1
Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK |
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3rd Feb 2015 10:02am |
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| adamatdraycott Member Since: 11 Nov 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 299
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Just back from the tour. Very well organised and i have to say a big thank you to our guide Neil (if you are out there)
The tour started with a coffee and a short video montage of LR history. 5 of us in total in our group. We then got hi-vis jackets along with radio receivers so we could hear the guide while in the busy workshop areas. We were then transported to the start of the defender line, Body in White, in a stretched TD5 110 station wagon. The BIW workshop is where the panels are assembled, spot welded and riveted and then put onto a framework to make their way towards the paint shop. It was cool to see all of the defender derivatives mixed up along the production line. Next was the Trim shop. The chassis and drive train assembled first, followed by the bulkhead and then the panels. Finally the special heritage area. It was evident not a lot has changed over the years having just seen the 'modern' production methods. Had a go in the 30degree safe operating angle test... which was a bit of fun. Well worth going if you have an interest in the history of these vehicles. No real mention of what will replace the defender, but they will definitely continue making limited numbers of defenders as they currently are somewhere in the world. I'll leave you with a few pictures that were allowed in the Heritage area  Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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3rd Feb 2015 6:09pm |
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| adafish Member Since: 30 Mar 2009 Location: atherstone Posts: 1376 
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BIW is where I work but on RRS/L405.., often walk over and have a chat with chaps doing the panel finishing.. I'm keeping me eye's out for the Heritage Grill panel that gets put on over there. Putting Dreams on Drives at JLR Solihull..
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3rd Feb 2015 6:21pm |
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| adamatdraycott Member Since: 11 Nov 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 299
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I was a little disappointed with the Heritage to be honest. One of the guys on the tour had one on order so i had to be a little careful.
The Heritage grill is a one piece moulded plastic piece. Not like the normal grill that has the frame and clip on fin assembly. It felt very flimsy. The only other special features are the seats and the gear knobs. There is a certain amount of confusion as to whether heated seats and AC is available. |
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3rd Feb 2015 6:33pm |
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| OldhamLandy Member Since: 17 Oct 2013 Location: somewhere Posts: 164 
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Nice photo's - looks a good do - especially for the price, which isn't too bad really. 2016 Defender 90xs SW - Santorini Black with Silver Pack
2014 Defender 90xs SW - Corris Grey with Santorini Black Roof |
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3rd Feb 2015 6:43pm |
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| adamatdraycott Member Since: 11 Nov 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 299
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I negotiated a free factory tour when I bought mine from Knutford. But yes £45 per head isn't bad.
Originally the idea was to book the tour on the build date, but the tickets didn't come through until delivery. I left it until late just encase something exciting happened regarding specials... but nothing did, so i booked it the week the heritage tour was announced. I think the original tour around the Disco, RR and Defender lines will have been a little rushed. We spent 3 hours solely on Defenders EDIT:: Just remembered that Midlands today were filming today, so it might be on tonight. |
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3rd Feb 2015 6:48pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16879
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I wonder if the Series Ones are actually the final limited run of heritage Landrovers - that would be a pretty cool finale, a brand new 80"!
Incidentally, if that is a recreation of the 1948 production line, shouldn't the vehicles be Sage green not Deep Bronze? I can't remember when the change took place, have to look it up. Looks well worth a visit, I'll have to try to get up there. Thanks for posting the photos. |
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3rd Feb 2015 6:54pm |
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| 5 POT Member Since: 24 Nov 2014 Location: UK Posts: 81 
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Looks great! Will certainly try and book a visit!
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3rd Feb 2015 7:10pm |
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| adafish Member Since: 30 Mar 2009 Location: atherstone Posts: 1376
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I went on Thursday along with our kid, Porny and his dad. Went straight from work , so was in my JLR gear after a 9hr night shift. One of the forum members was also on our tour whose name I couldn't remember sorry.
The tour also took in some of the factory area's that Neil explained as he drove around the 150" LRE bus, spotting a few of the F-PACE jags all camo'd up, even spotted the LLAMA that's used by site services. Putting Dreams on Drives at JLR Solihull.. |
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6th Feb 2015 3:50pm |
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| Maris Widgeon Member Since: 11 Dec 2013 Location: Cotswolds Posts: 216 
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Was me on the tour yesterday THURS with my other half , both really enjoyed it,can understand why change is needed in production methods as it as very labour intensive. Just have to trust Land Rover to come up with a good replacement .
Great to see the whole story being celebrated with the fabulous series ones and well chosen memorabilia. Excellent morning out and nice to meet you guys. Nick. |
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6th Feb 2015 4:10pm |
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| Vitesse Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Sussex Posts: 372
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Excellent factory tour. I did the Tour on Tuesday 3rd in the afternoon. My XS was built on the 26th Jan and quickly sent to Gaydon for storage, , so sadly missed out seeing it. I did manage to get the chassis number and some basic build info info from a helpful employee though!
Well worth a visit to anyone who maybe thinking about it.... 2015 90 XS Santorini Black |
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6th Feb 2015 4:38pm |
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| TJ101 Member Since: 30 May 2007 Location: Taunton Somerset Posts: 3747
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Need to sort a date, and a south west forum trip up ? California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1
Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK |
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6th Feb 2015 5:21pm |
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| walfy Member Since: 29 Aug 2007 Location: Frome Posts: 2642 
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Count me in then Tim
 110 D250 SE HT
110 USW SOLD RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD |
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6th Feb 2015 7:58pm |
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