Flamshackle
01-13-2015, 06:05 PM
Kia ora guys!
I visited FFR today and meet the team behind the cars...
To say it was a good experience is more than an understatement. Dave and the team are clearly a talented and stunning group of individuals that have a great handle on teamwork.
Firstly I have to thank Jim (Kalstar) for being such a top man and a super generous bloke. He took the day off work, picked us up from providence, showed us his cars, the Atlantic Ocean (never seen snow on sand before), took us to FFR and hung out with us for the day. Being the helpful man he is was also willing to break more than a couple of laws to get us back to our train on time (which we just managed to literally leap onto as it had begun moving and the doors began closing) Jim, Your a legend mate! I take my hat off to you and hope and pray we meet again one day so I can repay your kindness.
Secondly a big thank you to you Dave Smith for taking your valuable time out of your day to chat with a couple of kiwis. I really appreciated that after being sick off work you would still have some gas in the tank to guide us around the shop and factory and also to eat with us and make us feel special. My boys will love the caps you gave us and my oldest will be so stoked with the posters for his wall. Thank you for your generosity and for the great conversations.
It may sound a little over the top but I boarded the train to go home and found myself feeling something quite surprising... hope.
At FFR I saw a clear, tough determination (starting with Dave at the top) that seemed equally as interested in building people as well as cars. This ethos was palpable and I was encouraged to see men and woman who are clearly enjoying there craft. Nothing in this world is perfect but this company feels to me like it's going in a great direction.
I once heard a man say that sucess is found when you make "what you love, how you love". Dave Smith you seem to have done just that :-)
Thirdly Thanks to Mad Dog (sorry I forget your proper name) Sally, and to Jim S. Cheers for answering my questions, for your valuable time and for the shared food and conversation. I'll keep in touch since I look to order this car nearer the end of the year. Jim S what a gift it is to share your vision, design and hard work with us. The 818 is a credit to your skill and dedication.
Just a few other things that I want to say here...
1) The 818 looks AMAZING in the flesh. I have closely followed the development and build of the 818 over the last few years and I can say that pictures just don't do it justice. The staunch stance and the face that screams "get out of my way!" Is hard to appreciate untill you see it in real life.
2) I saw the new hard top design! Man, as if I didn't like this car enough already! I am not allowed to say much but I can say without a doubt this top is a TOTAL game changer for the 818. I hope I am not overstepping any confidences here (mad dog will no doubt sort it out if so) but there is MUCH more than just a hard top happening. I can't wait to see the new car finished! It's gonna blow you away. Seriously!
3) I am 6,5 and fit comfortably in the car with great viewing angles. This really does accomodate me superbly. My wife loves it and I can't wait to start the build with my three sons at the end of the year.
Man oh man open house will be cool this year. I wish I could be there but I'll have to settle for Internet footage.
So a final big thank you FFR!
You have done your country proud.
I visited FFR today and meet the team behind the cars...
To say it was a good experience is more than an understatement. Dave and the team are clearly a talented and stunning group of individuals that have a great handle on teamwork.
Firstly I have to thank Jim (Kalstar) for being such a top man and a super generous bloke. He took the day off work, picked us up from providence, showed us his cars, the Atlantic Ocean (never seen snow on sand before), took us to FFR and hung out with us for the day. Being the helpful man he is was also willing to break more than a couple of laws to get us back to our train on time (which we just managed to literally leap onto as it had begun moving and the doors began closing) Jim, Your a legend mate! I take my hat off to you and hope and pray we meet again one day so I can repay your kindness.
Secondly a big thank you to you Dave Smith for taking your valuable time out of your day to chat with a couple of kiwis. I really appreciated that after being sick off work you would still have some gas in the tank to guide us around the shop and factory and also to eat with us and make us feel special. My boys will love the caps you gave us and my oldest will be so stoked with the posters for his wall. Thank you for your generosity and for the great conversations.
It may sound a little over the top but I boarded the train to go home and found myself feeling something quite surprising... hope.
At FFR I saw a clear, tough determination (starting with Dave at the top) that seemed equally as interested in building people as well as cars. This ethos was palpable and I was encouraged to see men and woman who are clearly enjoying there craft. Nothing in this world is perfect but this company feels to me like it's going in a great direction.
I once heard a man say that sucess is found when you make "what you love, how you love". Dave Smith you seem to have done just that :-)
Thirdly Thanks to Mad Dog (sorry I forget your proper name) Sally, and to Jim S. Cheers for answering my questions, for your valuable time and for the shared food and conversation. I'll keep in touch since I look to order this car nearer the end of the year. Jim S what a gift it is to share your vision, design and hard work with us. The 818 is a credit to your skill and dedication.
Just a few other things that I want to say here...
1) The 818 looks AMAZING in the flesh. I have closely followed the development and build of the 818 over the last few years and I can say that pictures just don't do it justice. The staunch stance and the face that screams "get out of my way!" Is hard to appreciate untill you see it in real life.
2) I saw the new hard top design! Man, as if I didn't like this car enough already! I am not allowed to say much but I can say without a doubt this top is a TOTAL game changer for the 818. I hope I am not overstepping any confidences here (mad dog will no doubt sort it out if so) but there is MUCH more than just a hard top happening. I can't wait to see the new car finished! It's gonna blow you away. Seriously!
3) I am 6,5 and fit comfortably in the car with great viewing angles. This really does accomodate me superbly. My wife loves it and I can't wait to start the build with my three sons at the end of the year.
Man oh man open house will be cool this year. I wish I could be there but I'll have to settle for Internet footage.
So a final big thank you FFR!
You have done your country proud.