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| Bristol News & Other Bristol Discussion About the company, clubs, car owners, and Bristol discussion not specific to the 6,8 or 10 cyl cars. |
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03-09-09, 10:45 AM
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James,
I don't know the answer to your question, but I think it is a great shame that they don't allow factory visits/tours. I'm aware of the excuse that they do defence work there but I find that hard to believe nowadays. Even if it were true I'm sure the whole factory isn't taken up with defence activity! Kevin 
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03-09-09, 10:57 AM
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I think the factory is simply not in a condition which befits such expensive cars, from the point of view of most people today.
I presume it just looks like a large manufacturing workshop. In fact, from outside it does. Regards, Markus Last edited by Markus Berzborn; 03-09-09 at 12:37 PM.
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03-09-09, 11:30 AM
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Pilgrimage to Filton
Last year I tried to make a visit to the factory and I also received the answer that visits are not possible. I guess we would be all shocked how poor everything looks like - I guess its not looking clean and nice like some Ferrari garage - I guess it looks more like a 3rd class workshop somewhere in the suburbs...!! If I would manage the factory I would do much more concerning customer relations......Hans-Jörg
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03-09-09, 11:30 AM
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We picked up a renewed '79 603 there last October (see photo here Bristol Cars - Owners and Enthusiasts Forum - browning l's Album: Bristols seen, Owners met - 13-16 October 08), and, from the very first conversation with Toby Silverton before I ever met him in London, throughout the car selection and buying process, and on through the work and pickup process, he made it very clear that no tours were possible. I had no reason nor right to argue the point. The only interior space we saw was in the room where the completed car awaited us, and a brief trip into an office area to pick up some documents. Why run the risk of being turned away disappointed, when a simple phone call to 0117 979 9444 will provide you with an answer? As for the reasons for no tours, that's really Toby's business, isn't it? I don't see where we have the right to question how he runs his business. Last edited by browning l; 03-09-09 at 11:35 AM.
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03-09-09, 12:09 PM
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filton
I've been there (collecting an unwieldy replacement bonnet skin). There is not much to see. There is a big spares store, a paint shop, and some very shabby offices. It's a bit of a bind getting there and I wouldn't go out of my way. I have copied this from the website: "Please note that, regrettably, a tour of the factory itself is not possible as the new car design, development and military contracts areas are all open plan and part of the general production areas. One day we hope to have premises that will allow customers to see the coachbuilt quality of Bristols during construction and renovation."
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03-09-09, 01:34 PM
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You may recall the robbery they had there a couple of years ago when a lot of the heavy machinery was stolen. The local BBC news did a small report and a video was posted on the internet. It showed some of the factory areas - not very exciting and was like any dingy backstreet garage albeit with expensive cars being hand built.
I can understand why they don't show people around as it won't meet some people's expectations, especially when you compare it to the sterile production facilities at Rolls Royce etc. From Google Earth it does look like a warehouse - I think a cherry red Blenheim is parked next to a disabled parking space outside. What ever happened to those low 30's buildings you used to see pictures of new 412's and 603's parked outside - it looked like it needed a lick of paint in those 1970's photos? Have they relocated entirely to this warehouse? Last edited by jimfoz; 03-09-09 at 01:40 PM.
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03-09-09, 02:30 PM
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Pilgrimage to Filton
We manufacturer hi fi and sell it all over the world, it's
comparatively expensive, it has a devoted following and owners club as does Bristol Cars, which means that we too, get lots of enquiries from people wishing to visit, however we're very busy and it's not always convenient to see people, so we have to turn most away. Perhaps it's the same for BCL. Ash
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03-09-09, 02:49 PM
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Here in Kentucky, most of the area's horse farms where mares are bred and foaled, and stallions stand, thoroughbred horse farm tours are almost none-existent now, primarily for this reason. Visitors demand the tour be led by a knowledgable person; such persons usually have a heavy load of responsibilities to carry out. In our manufacturing business, we had tours, but exclusively for customers, not for the general public. Each business has to set its own standards. We visited the RR-Bentley Crewe plant in the early 2000s. In essence, all we saw was some of the paint line and some assembly...no true manufacturing.
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03-09-09, 03:10 PM
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Let's take Kondo or other small manufacturers of very expensive hifi equipment - the premises are nothing but workshops stuffed with measuring devices where a few people are busy soldering components. And after all - why should it be anything more? Regards, Markus
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03-09-09, 02:44 PM
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Toby told me they never could get the news people to understand the difference.
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03-09-09, 07:11 PM
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And have you ever noticed that Toby has a secret liking for wearing top hats??? Perhaps they will run a competition to tour the factory - all you have to do is find a golden ticket in the glove compartment of your new Bristol... Philippa
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JLucy 
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