A grand day out!

[Chris Gibbs]

I had the pleasure of visiting Wallace and Gromit yesterday, or as they're better known here, Spud and Handy Andy from Saturn sports cars!

I caught Handy Andy during a brief "work break" which he fits in between cups of tea.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p112/chrisg222/handy.jpg

This is the new workshop complete with the demonstrator, Andy's (Tall one) own car. The shop's very tidy, which probably won't last......

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p112/chrisg222/workshop.jpg

This is the dedicated GRP production area, Robert was hiding when I took this

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p112/chrisg222/grp.jpg



Best of all, Andy managed to fit in a quick blast with yours truely providing ballast around the local lanes - Thanks mate, I needed that!

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p112/chrisg222/ride.jpg

Whats left of my hair was doing the mohican!

Big thanks to both Andys and Robert for the hospitality, I can confirm that the kettle never gets cold and the flapjacks are abundant!

Cheers

Chris

[londonsean69]

That's a nice size workshop.

Nice setup there lads, hope it works well for you both.

Although that MIG looks tiny next to the gas (looks like Argoshield ;)) I only use the Y bottles.

[Tatey]

Very nice setup if you ask me, plenty of space.

May i ask what the chassis you are building there is? :eek: In the picture with Andy (short arse :p ) you can see there is only 1 25x25 piece on the back frame instead of the normal 2 pieces welded together, and the two diagonal pieces go right to the corner of the chassis, making it seem like that car will be much narrower than the roadster, it isnt the single seater is it? :eek: :confused:

[HandyAndy]

glad you enjoyed your visit Chris, & i,m sure you enjoyed the spin in Andy,s car, the smile on your face when you got back gave it away.

the workshop is getting a busier place by the day, its now getting more difficult to find the coffee mugs as we put them down & move onto another project in progress & forget where the mug was left :o

thanks for your kind words Chris, tho my only complaint ...... the photo of me is not my good side :p .

Thanks Sean, the space gives room to develop our product range & we can all be working on something without getting in each others way, & a new Tig is on order ;)

thanks
andy ( Gromit):)

[HandyAndy]

Very nice setup if you ask me, plenty of space.

May i ask what the chassis you are building there is? :eek: In the picture with Andy (short arse :p ) you can see there is only 1 25x25 piece on the back frame instead of the normal 2 pieces welded together, and the two diagonal pieces go right to the corner of the chassis, making it seem like that car will be much narrower than the roadster, it isnt the single seater is it?

Tatey,

well spotted :eek: nothing gets past you eh????

in fact the steel in the back frame is 50x25mm & no its not the single seater, the chassis in the photo is in fact a full size mock up of a Roadster chassis that we are using as a jig so to speak to develop new parts that we hope to make available & some of the "tubes" have been placed slightly different to book spec to allow us to fabricate the new parts, if that makes sense??? its basically a chassis that gives us the critical dimensions of the Roadster when we test parts that we,re developing for the Roadster ;)

Thanks for your kind words on the workshop.

cheers
andy ( the short ar$e )

[dogwood]

Certainly looks like a nice setup you got going there.
as Chris says, does look clean and tidy.
Certainly wouldn't stay that way if I was working there.
Untidy b****r me.....:rolleyes:
Handy looks happy as a pig in poo...:D Or is that his normal expression:eek:

I see a set of black wings on the go there, are they mine??
Looking forward to my trip up there next week to inspect the premises.

David

[HandyAndy]

cheers David,

thats my normal expression :D but you,re right, its a nice place & what better way to spend the day than working with all things Roadster :cool:

well spotted , the wings are indeed yours :)

cheers
andy

[dogwood]

well spotted , the wings are indeed yours :)

cheers
andy



Shiny.....:cool:

[Bonzo]

That looks like a great setup chaps :cool:

Like dogwood, i'd trash that place in no time !! see all of the room I would have for my junk :o

The photo of shortie is sheer class.............Honestly.........Fancy pretending to read the book :D ( Only joshing mate )

I hope your venture goes from strength to strengh.

Expect to see a SSC stand at Exeter next year lads. ;)

[spud69]

Thank you for the post Chris and the kind words all.

The unit is coming along well but there is a lot more work to do to get the product range developed, mind you it is strange not having everything not at arms length in the garage but we are getting there. Still waiting for BT to connect internet, they are bloody useless. Got the landline though, which is 01429 864377 - i shall update the website.

The chassis in the background is not for the single seater :( but will be as soon as we receive completed plans from Chris :D . The rear wings are for you Dogwood, they'll be ready to pickup on your visit next Thursday.

BTW that is Andy's best side - you should see the other...;)

[HandyAndy]

BTW that is Andy's best side - you should see the other...

:D the best part of me is for my wifes eyes only :p :D

as Andy (tall/Wallace ) has said, thanks for all your kind words of support over the last few weeks, it is very much appreciated.

Chris... maybe the next time we meet i,ll take you out in MY Roadster :cool:

cheers

andy

[spud69]

:D the best part of me is for my wifes eyes only


as Andy (tall/Wallace ) has said, thanks for all your kind words of support over the last few weeks, it is very much appreciated.

Chris... maybe the next time we meet i,ll take you out in MY Roadster :cool:

cheers

andy

Sorry Andy but i do hope we see him sooner than that.....;)

[car.mad]

looks like its all good fun

you got a 'tea/coffee b*tch' yet?

nice sized workshop you've got there (wish mine was that tidy and not being taken over bit by bit!)

Jake

[HandyAndy]

Hi Jake,

we take it in turns to make the cuppa,s,:o

thanks , yes it is good fun, my own part built Roadster will soon be there, but still leaves plenty of room for other chassis,s & or cars.

cheers
andy

[Chris Gibbs]

Sorry Andy but i do hope we see him sooner than that.....;)

Me too!!

Cheers

Chris :)

[HandyAndy]

Sorry Andy but i do hope we see him sooner than that.....;)

what??? you mean he,s coming to see us again before the end of november??? :D hmmmm ...i only wish it could be finished by then, :D

Chris, at least next time you,ll get to see my car even tho it won,t be finished.

cheers
andy

[flyerncle]

I have just spent the afternoon with the Andy's and just want to wish them all the best in the venture present and future.

A ride in Spud's car was the most fun I have had in a while and it's a credit to him not only the build quality but in everyway,anyone who is waiting for parts/body panels or is thinking of using them is assured of 1st class quality service(£50 came in handy thanks:D ).

I am still smirking like a kid!!!!

Two nice guys and the very best to you both.


Paul

[HandyAndy]

Thanks Paul,
glad you enjoyed your visit to the Saturn premises, & let the truth be known we were both hard at work when you arrived :D

glad you enjoyed your spin in Spuds car, the smile on your face said it all :cool:
my car will have the narrow seats :p

again thanks for your kind words & wishing us success with the venture:)

cheers
andy ( the short one )

[dogwood]

you got a 'tea/coffee b*tch' yet?
Jake

Of course they have.....
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p212/muddypaws4x4/andy2.jpg
David

[spud69]

Thanks again Paul,

When you drive these cars regularly you take for granted the ride experience you get from them, but your reaction to the trip out sums it all up what a great car they are. The single seater will be just awesome.....:eek:

Again another £50 well spent..........

Regards...AndyH (very tall one)

[flyerncle]

No problems guy's,the £50 quid was well recieved and every word was meant and the praise well deserved, I must also put some praise to the man who started this, Chris Gibbs and co, for the input in the first place and I have a feeling that from the response to the Roadster the next project will be even more well recieved and will be a huge success in conjunction with Saturn Sports Cars.


Nice one:D