Re: What\'s is going at the Connor Assembly plant ?!
I just got back from the plant !
What a great tour.
I would recommend it to anyone who has not already been there.
Anyway, stuff that you already probably know. The plant will be shut down soon and only temporarily ( a couple of months ) from what we were told. The existing stock will start being delivered to dealers shortly as well. The max. capacity of that plant is 8- 12 cars per day and they absolutely have no intention of increasing the production capacity. They made it very clear that there is a certain amount of prestige in Viper ownership and they wish it to remain that way. They even went as far a saying that we do not wish to be like the Vettes.
They dismantle 1 Viper engine per week to make certain it meets quality control standards. At a cost of circa $ 500,000.00 per year. The same detail applies to the frame and other components. They really do a detailed check on these cars and all of the parts received from suppliers must pass engineering specifications. The engineers are constantly looking at improvements engine components.
There is absolutely no technogical innovations ( assemblies ) at the plant . These cars a really built by hand. Really nice to see how muh care is placed on the assembly. Not rushed at all , but a lot of love and care taken on these cars.
They employ 98 people in total in the plant. Incredible since I thought it was a lot more. It really is a family environment.
None of the production vehicles are exposed to any elements such as sun, rain or snow until such time as they are shipped to the dealer. Even at the point of transfer to the shipping trucks they are loaded indoors.
Soon they will be starting production of the special edition vehicles for the VOI. A lot of white Viper parts laying around. They had a couple of steel gray vehicles there. What a gorgeous color.
There were 2008 productions prototype parts in sealed boxes. There was also a vehicle parked outside with a black tarp over the hood. You could clearly see a different hood on the car. I wasn;t next to that vehicle for more then 10 mins when someone came running out and rushed it away. I came very close to opening the hood even at the expense of the alarm going off. If anything it was NOT a Viper engine under that hood . It did not sound like a VIPER Engine at all. Of that I am certain.........I have pictures that I will post later.
I wonder how much I could have gotten if I opened the hood and took a snap shot of that engine .....................Oh well !!!
The are VERY VERY VERY VERY hush hush on anything to do with the 2008 model. Any questions I asked was shunned at very clearly. He would not even tell me when they plan to announce the new generation car. But I tried !!!
Crossing the border the duty office dialoge went like this.........
"where you going "
Me.................Viper Plant
" How long you going to be there?"
Me..................a couple of hours.
" Well I've only got one thing to say to you and I need a answer right away".....He scared the crap out of me? He was really serious and his voice very loud and forceful.
Me.................What ? I'm thinking holy crap!!
With a smile on his face.........." How do I get to drive your car"...........................LOL LOL LOL
I found that kinda funny. Its funny how a Viper will make anyone in any situation change.
Thats the Viper experience folks .
Patrick
PS: Before we hit the Viper plant we went to RM Car Restorations. These guys are incredible and its not uncommon to have cars there with 9000 man hours at $ 80.00 an hour.
Here are some pictures
Does anyone know what this is ????????????????? I was amazed when I found out!
