Factory Visit and Drive Out

[Andy M]

Hi All,

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary celebrations for this year, I can today announce a pilgrimage and factory visit for you lucky lucky people!

I am in the process of arranging a 3 pronged trip for club members on Tuesday 30th July. Yes I know its a Tuesday!! This is a special one off arrangement as factory tours and visits now no longer exist.

Itinary:-

1. 8.30am Gather at the home of the Lotus Cortina at the Cheshunt Factory.
2. 10.00 - 12.00 Visit to Fords research and developement centre at Dunton.
3. 13.30 Tour of the Heritage workshops at Dagenham.

We will have to stop for lunch at a suitable safe and quiet establishment between Dunton and Dagenham this to be arranged after a reccy.

I will need to know from genuinely interested members as passes will be limited.
Dunton is a secure site so it will be neccessary to have official photo ID tags issued. I will expect full commitment to attend and not to pull out because its raining or your best friends cat has got the skitters and your baby sitting it!
Can you let me know if you wish to join in I am expecting the cars to be the stars so know one need to apply if you are not prepared to bring your Lotus.

Andy M

[Neilsjuke]

Yes please
Neil

[Pete G]

Andy

Nice idea but

1. 8.30am Gather at the home of the Lotus Cortina at the Cheshunt Factory

You'll be lucky at that time on a weekday!!

[Keith Halstead]

As it's local, I'll meet you in Dunton (if it's not raining) - no need for a pass for me as I have my own.

Can I suggest the Halfway House at junction A128/A127 for lunch - about 1 mile from Dunton. Used for many a clasic car meet - big car park.

[Rick]

No going outside of Essex to Hertfordshire for you then Keith, have you got shares in the Halfway House? we need full disclosure

[Keith Halstead]

No going outside of Essex to Hertfordshire for you then Keith, have you got shares in the Halfway House? we need full disclosure

Where's Hertfordshire Rick ? No financial interest in the pub honest - it's pefectly placed though for what we need.

[mikew]

Love to go,local for me. Mike

[Pete G]

Andy

Nice idea but

1. 8.30am Gather at the home of the Lotus Cortina at the Cheshunt Factory

You'll be lucky at that time on a weekday!!

Even though it is fairly local to me, I don't fancy driving through the rush hour traffic to get there for 8.30 with no parking available to wait for others to arive, also there are HGVs and white van men in that industrial estate in a hurry,- is there an alternative?
I will go straight to the lunch stop

[cabriolet2]

Andy....can you put me down for this..as I feel you may need another colour apart from white turning up.......cheers Mike G.

[WayneW]

andy put me down please

[H Cortina]

Tempting. I also don't fancy traversing the motorway network early doors (i now work away from home to avoid it) so will see if there is perhaps a nearby Premier Inn and so drive up Monday evening.

Anyone else for a stop over?

[Neilsjuke]

Would you sleep with your Lotus Cortina in a Premier Inn carpark overnight
Neil

[H Cortina]

No but on 3 previous occasions i have been allowed to park in a disabled bay, next to the entrance, under a security camera and offered the nightwatchman a financial re-imbursement to keep an eye on the car.

Premier Inns having checked are very expensive local to Cheshunt, may have to consider an alternative option.

[Neilsjuke]

Maybe not going to Cheshunt, for Kent and Sussex cars meet up for breakfast the other side of the tunnel would be a an alternative option
Neil

[GoLotus]

I'd be interested in this, but can't promiss my LC will be ready in time - would definitely be in a MkII Cortina one way or another though, but how much of a problem is a non LC MkII?