We just got back from a tour at the Saleen SSV which as most of you know, actually builds most of the GT. My Ford dealer had worked hard to get us in the Wixom facility as well. Ford said we could go there, but that they did not allow kids therefore my son (age 7) could not go. Obviously we passed on that. Separate from my Ford dealer's efforts, I simply called up Saleen and asked if we could come up to watch our car being built. They said absolutely.
Off to detroit for spring break. Since we live in Florida, everyone said we were nuts to be going to Detroit for spring break. Nonsense, we had a great time.
When we arrived at Saleen they were waiting for us and spent a little more than four hours taking us through the facility. My son Patrick met all the guys actually building our car. They stopped the line so that he could get up in the car and we could take lots of pictures. We ended up following the car down the front half of the line and it was about to make the turn down the final few stations when we left. They do quality work there and needless to say it shows. They are very proud of their entire line and they should be. The paint process actually involves about 200 man hours alone from start to finish. The GT actually gets about a $20,000 paint job.
The last of the first batch of Canadian cars were there while we were there. The rear bumper is really ugly. The front foam piece that goes in the nose weighs three times what the US spec cars get. The Canadian piece actually has metal in it as opposed to just foam for the US cars. There will be one more run of Canadian cars and there will be more than 200 going north. The Canadian cars got the base radio. I was also told that about 90% of the US cars had gotten the McIntosh.
I had not seen the dark blue :thumbsup color on any of the GTs that I had seen until we were at Saleen. It is a great color. There were a good number of non center striped cars being produced out of the 75 or so that were there. The side stripes are actually put on at Wixom. They told us that originally, yellow was expected to be one of the most popular colors however it has turned out to be the least ordered color. The Heritage was very close to not being produced. It was expected to be less popular, however there is evidently quite a demand for it. I would expect to see more than 200 Heritage cars made.
All in all, our family left the Saleen SSV totally impressed. They could not have been more gracious and patient. The new Saleen sport truck was in the lobby with the #002 GT car. We are now going to be Saleen customers without a doubt.
After Saleen, we met up with Camilo Pardo at his studio in downtown Detroit. He came driving up in his GT (white with side stripes only). He has driven it to Key West twice already!! Has about 9,000 miles on it. He is a great guy and we bought a couple of his GT paintings. He said he would even go over to Saleen and sign the engine bay bar for us. He showed us where Carroll Shelby signed his for him. I would imagine he would come to the rally if we ask him.
When the rally comes around in August you folks are going to love the Saleen tour. I may or may not go to Wixom depending on whether they change their policy about kids. Will attach pictures as soon as I figure out how. Enjoy!
Off to detroit for spring break. Since we live in Florida, everyone said we were nuts to be going to Detroit for spring break. Nonsense, we had a great time.
When we arrived at Saleen they were waiting for us and spent a little more than four hours taking us through the facility. My son Patrick met all the guys actually building our car. They stopped the line so that he could get up in the car and we could take lots of pictures. We ended up following the car down the front half of the line and it was about to make the turn down the final few stations when we left. They do quality work there and needless to say it shows. They are very proud of their entire line and they should be. The paint process actually involves about 200 man hours alone from start to finish. The GT actually gets about a $20,000 paint job.
The last of the first batch of Canadian cars were there while we were there. The rear bumper is really ugly. The front foam piece that goes in the nose weighs three times what the US spec cars get. The Canadian piece actually has metal in it as opposed to just foam for the US cars. There will be one more run of Canadian cars and there will be more than 200 going north. The Canadian cars got the base radio. I was also told that about 90% of the US cars had gotten the McIntosh.
I had not seen the dark blue :thumbsup color on any of the GTs that I had seen until we were at Saleen. It is a great color. There were a good number of non center striped cars being produced out of the 75 or so that were there. The side stripes are actually put on at Wixom. They told us that originally, yellow was expected to be one of the most popular colors however it has turned out to be the least ordered color. The Heritage was very close to not being produced. It was expected to be less popular, however there is evidently quite a demand for it. I would expect to see more than 200 Heritage cars made.
All in all, our family left the Saleen SSV totally impressed. They could not have been more gracious and patient. The new Saleen sport truck was in the lobby with the #002 GT car. We are now going to be Saleen customers without a doubt.
After Saleen, we met up with Camilo Pardo at his studio in downtown Detroit. He came driving up in his GT (white with side stripes only). He has driven it to Key West twice already!! Has about 9,000 miles on it. He is a great guy and we bought a couple of his GT paintings. He said he would even go over to Saleen and sign the engine bay bar for us. He showed us where Carroll Shelby signed his for him. I would imagine he would come to the rally if we ask him.
When the rally comes around in August you folks are going to love the Saleen tour. I may or may not go to Wixom depending on whether they change their policy about kids. Will attach pictures as soon as I figure out how. Enjoy!
