The following press release arrived at the Speedbirds.com mailbox this evening:
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release, 1st August 2004
Concorde – one last flight of fancy.
A seat on Concorde was the exclusive preserve of the wealthy, the famous and the powerful on both sides of the Atlantic. The aircraft themselves are now grounded forever and reside in museums around the world - but there is one last opportunity to own a part of Concorde history.
Supersonic Executive Seating
There are 500 of the actual Concorde seats that were used on British Airways Concordes during the golden years of its operation and which were removed and stored two years before the aircraft were finally withdrawn from service. These have now been rescued and are being offered for sale not merely as memorabilia but as practical seats to use in the office, boardroom or study.
With only these last 500 seats available the intention is to appeal to individuals and organisations who want the exclusivity and prestige of owning and sitting in the world’s fastest ‘civilian’ seat, including of course those who flew Concorde and would like the ultimate souvenir.
The British company which acquired these seats and is individually restoring them is MGR Foamtex of Thame, Oxfordshire. They are one of the aircraft industry’s leading manufacturers of passenger seating upholstery systems. Jon Rose, Managing Director of MGR Foamtex, said, “British Airways had placed these seats in store at European Skybus, Europe's largest stockist of reconditioned passenger seats, and when I uncovered one and sat in it my first thought was: I’d like to have this in my boardroom.”
An exclusive limited edition The distinctive grey leather and upholstery are being restored to their original condition and a full-function swivel base with height and recline adjustments is being added. A discreet plaque identifies each seat as a Concorde original and one of the exclusive, limited edition of only 500.
Jon Rose said, “We believe that this will be the last real chance for anyone to own a Concorde seat. All the others that we know of are on aircraft in museums or there are odd ones and twos in the hands of collectors. Our aim is to make these remaining pieces of aviation history – which are beautiful in their own right – into something which people will be able to use as well as take pleasure in owning.”
How will these seats be sold?
A seat on the final flight of Concorde was auctioned live on US television for $60,300. The price of a ‘normal’ return ticket across the Atlantic on Concorde was in excess of $10,000. The price of these last seats will be: £5,000 + vat (£5,875) in the UK, $10,000 in the USA and 7500 euros in Europe, including delivery. Of all the 100 seats on each Concorde, seat 1A in the front row was considered the most exclusive and, by many, the most desirable of all. Among the many famous Concorde passengers who travelled in seat 1A over the years were the Queen, the Queen Mother, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. There are five 1A seats among the 500 available and they will be offered for £10,000 + vat (£11,750) in the UK or $20,000 in the USA and 15000 euros in Europe, including delivery.
There will not be an auction and orders will be accepted strictly in order of application, either through the website www.concordeseats.com or by telephoning MGR Foamtex Concorde Sales Team on +44 (0)1844 260444
For further information and high resolution pictures please see: The website: www.concordeseats.com
Contacts: Jon Rose jon@mgrfoamtex.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1844 260444
Speedbirds.com is not responsible for the content of external sites.