It’s been 60 years since the tractor factory at Basildon in Essex opened and New Holland is keen to mark the event, as the company remains proud of its long and illustrious heritage.
The occasion could well have brought forth the usual long, but worthy speeches by various people attached to the facility over the years, as its history was pondered over and company’s naval excruciatingly gazed at.
However, the management team at New Holland had another and far brighter idea of taking a T7.300 and wrapping it in a rather psychedelic, but very appropriate 1960s design that conjured up the colours and optimism of the era.
The result was unveiled to the press with great fanfare and humour at the customer centre that sits adjacent to the still busy factory.
Basildon remembered
It would be easy to dismiss such an event as a cynical marketing exercise, but, despite the size and reach of the corporation, it is still all about the people behind the the scenes, and there exists within the company a genuine affection for the facility and its output.
Indeed, this reassurance is supported by the inclusion of elements from the New Holland logo, along with repeated reference to the blue and red of the the original Ford livery and logo.
The Basildon plant was built to accommodate the production of Fords new 6X range, which finally swept away the Fordson name and marked the end of the venerable Dexta and Major model lines – although the names were still carried across to the new machines to provide a sense of continuity.
The manufacture of the tractors commenced in the new buildings in 1964 ready for their launch at the Smithfield Show of that year.
The tractor itself will be seen at various events throughout the year.