Tour of AAI Plant in Flat Rock, MI
9/12/07, 10:28 PM
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Tour of AAI Plant in Flat Rock, MI
First of all, a huge thank you to Frank (rarecat) for setting up, arranging and making our tour of the AAI plant in Flat Rock this week possible.
If any of you, that havent done this before, ever get the chance to tour the AAI plant, where our beloved Mustang is built, dont hesitate. It is worth it's weight in gold. My only regret is that my son couldn't join us as he is under the age limit to be allowed in the factory.
We saw Many V6's, GT's, GT CS's, and of course GT500s being built, in every stage of the building process. They were interlaced with Mazda6's of which, I have no idea what models are offered. We looked desparately for the elusive Bullit but did not have the opportunity to see one.
We spent two hours at the factory and were able to dive into the grand majority of how the Mustang (and Mazda6, by virtue) are built, from a flat piece of steel, to a completed car. Two areas that impressed/ shocked me was how the body is made and why it is so incredibly stiff and how the engine / tranny / front end is installed (I've already laid on my back to install my rear springs, shocks, bushings, LCAs and panhard so no big surprise on the rear end).
The plant was absolutely amazing, a logistical challenge to say the least. Yet, every minute or so, a car would roll of the line, fire up and head out for its inaugural run.
Many thanks to AAI for giving us the time, and opportunity to tour thier factory, and again, a huge thanks to my friend Frank, Rarecat, for sharing his good fortune.
If any of you, that havent done this before, ever get the chance to tour the AAI plant, where our beloved Mustang is built, dont hesitate. It is worth it's weight in gold. My only regret is that my son couldn't join us as he is under the age limit to be allowed in the factory.
We saw Many V6's, GT's, GT CS's, and of course GT500s being built, in every stage of the building process. They were interlaced with Mazda6's of which, I have no idea what models are offered. We looked desparately for the elusive Bullit but did not have the opportunity to see one.
We spent two hours at the factory and were able to dive into the grand majority of how the Mustang (and Mazda6, by virtue) are built, from a flat piece of steel, to a completed car. Two areas that impressed/ shocked me was how the body is made and why it is so incredibly stiff and how the engine / tranny / front end is installed (I've already laid on my back to install my rear springs, shocks, bushings, LCAs and panhard so no big surprise on the rear end).
The plant was absolutely amazing, a logistical challenge to say the least. Yet, every minute or so, a car would roll of the line, fire up and head out for its inaugural run.
Many thanks to AAI for giving us the time, and opportunity to tour thier factory, and again, a huge thanks to my friend Frank, Rarecat, for sharing his good fortune.
9/13/07, 06:09 AM
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The tour is by appointment only and not open to the general public. Our guide confirmed that they had recently completed a Job2 pre production run (read: Bullitt). We saw stamping machines bigger than houses and a sea of completed Stangs waiting for delivery.
We also spent some time in Dearborn playing industrial spy....stalked out the proving grounds and Roush facility.... saw some neat stuff... maybe you guys can convince Wobbiedaddy to tell you the story and post some pics...
We also spent some time in Dearborn playing industrial spy....stalked out the proving grounds and Roush facility.... saw some neat stuff... maybe you guys can convince Wobbiedaddy to tell you the story and post some pics...
9/14/07, 04:39 AM
#9
Mach 1 Member
Pics are a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge NO NO inside any car plant.... Woobiedaddy may have even have had to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) which could prevent him from talking about any upcoming products or specific production procedures he saw in there.
9/14/07, 04:45 AM
#10
Bullitt Member
They won't let you take pictures...
Brad arranged a tour in January of 2006. I have been a few times to Flat Rock and to the old Dearborn Assembly Plant, it it was great. There is a video you can get of the old DAP line, they should make one at AAI so that someone who cannot get to Michigan can see it.
Brad arranged a tour in January of 2006. I have been a few times to Flat Rock and to the old Dearborn Assembly Plant, it it was great. There is a video you can get of the old DAP line, they should make one at AAI so that someone who cannot get to Michigan can see it.
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