ORIGINAL FAIRLINE RETURNS TO THE FACTORY AFTER 39 YEARS Fairline Boats plc, one of the world's leading luxury motor yacht manufacturers will be restoring an example of its inaugural model, the Fairline 19. She will be returned to her original beauty, ready for the company's 40 year anniversary celebrations in 2007. Following their UK wide search, Fairline finally found a very early example in Norfolk, which is estimated to have been built in 1968 and would have been bought for approximately £595.00. Since acquiring the model, Fairline has already set about restoring her sympathetically to her original condition. A number of the employees who helped build her in 1968 are still with the company and have joined a working party to revive her to her youth. Work has also started on the restoration of her engine, a WaterMota, which is currently being refurbished by the same company that marinised it. Mike Beacham, Managing Director at WaterMota commented; “Fairline contacted us about the engine, and we are delighted to be getting involved in this great project, which is progressing to plan. Our Production Director, Colin Clark is likely to have assembled the engine in the 60's and it is great to be able to work with Fairline again to restore the engine to its original condition.” The project has received great support from many companies including Sheridan Marine, who are supplying parts; Indespension Trailers, who will provide a trailer for her to tour Fairline's European boat shows during 2007, as well as Bob Knowles Plant Services, who are reconditioning the existing outdrive. The 19ft boat exemplifies just how far the leading boat manufacturer has come over the past 40 years. In 1963 Jack Newington acquired a cluster of disused gravel pits by the River Nene, creating Oundle Marina, home of Fairline. Now, in 2006 Fairline has three main shipyards and plans are being made for a new factory in 2007. Examples of the company's growth are astounding. When the 19 was first launched in 1967 the company employed only 14 staff; 40 years later Fairline is both a world leader and a pioneer in the luxury boating market, with an 11 boat range, from 38ft to 74ft, 1200 employees across their Corby, Oundle and Ipswich locations, and a turnover of over £100 million. The Fairline 19 will be shown for the first time at the forthcoming London Boat Show, which takes place at ExCel during 5th-14th January 2007. The restoration is one of many celebrations that will take place during 2007 to celebrate '40 Years of Fairline'. For further information about Fairline, visit www.************
