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October feature, The Towns Vantage
This month a new feature story on Astons from the archives of the Kangaroo Stable.  Previously unpublished, detailing the history of the Aston that never was.  This month the "The Towns Vantage"

A new feature, tales from behind the stable door!
Starting this month we'll be adding a new section featuring stories on Astons from the archives of the Kangaroo Stable.  It will feature a new article each month, previously unpublished, detailing the history of unusual Astons rarely seen in public.  This month begins with the "Zagato Mule"

24 hours in the making! Autopsort magazine is reporting a potential return to Le Mans in 2005 for Aston Martin with a Prodrive developed racer based on the new VH chassis to be used in the DB9 and V8 Vantage.  For more details  Autosport

Farewell old chum...the passing of a legend! It is with great sadness that I report today's passing of Roger Stowers, long time historian and archivist of Aston Martin Lagonda.  I was privileged to be his friend and this site and my ownership of Astons is in no small part due to his kindness, encouragement and enthusiasm.  I first met Roger as a 17 year old after hitching a ride to the factory In Newport Pagnell on a visit from my home in Australia.  Even though I was too young to drive and certainly couldn't afford an Aston at the time he welcomed my enthusiasm and encouraged me to one day become an owner.  An impromptu tour of the factory sent me home more determined to one day have a Vantage in my garage.  Now that three reside there, vetted and approved by Roger, all a testament to his help and the friendship we built up over the last 25 years.  I still have fond memories of letting Roger loose on the racetrack in Portland Oregon in my Vantage when he last stayed with me.  Many fellow owners with have similar tales of the man's kindness and inspiration, their ownership encouraged by factory visits he so ably led with a love of the marque that will be sorely missed.
Farewell old chum........

Aston mystery solved...it's all in a name!  There's a joke going around Aston circles after the open day at the new Gaydon facility.  What's the name of Aston Martin's robot (the first in the companies history)?  Hand  (Aston can now claim the new DB9 is built by hand!)  For more details of the open day have a look at the AMOC report at this link.  Hand built at GAYDON  The PR guru at the factory contacted us indicating the waiting list for Vanquishes had eased as production is now up to 550 cars per year, or 12 each working week. Considering the level of hand assembly required for each vehicle this is a remarkable rate of production.

DB7+2 =  Vanquish Vanquisher! Not since Ford bought Aston Martin have they produced a car worthy of the name...that is until now.  At last they deserve full praise for a car, the new DB9, set to make its debutant appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show this coming week.  Tempting though the AM V8 Vantage was when launched at Detroit earlier this year, the DB9 is the car that will make or brake the company.  With 50% of its components to be used in the smaller Aston the new car serves as a proof of concept for the VH alloy chassis architecture and gives Aston time to refine production methods at the new Gaydon factory before the launch of the V8 Vantage in 2005.  Developed in-house and close to budget it makes the Vanquish seem decidedly ordinary.  A bespoke interior, room in the back for two, new suspension and a transaxle gearbox offering ideal weight distribution make it look a bargain against the price of its big brother.  After the DB9 announcement this week those few still on the dwindling waiting list for the Vanquish may consider changing their orders.  Aston may revamp their supercar before its put out to pasture in a few years by incorporating the DB9 interior and bringing forward the Vanquish Vantage to keep the order books full.  It's certainly interesting times at Newport Pagnell, whoever thought they'd get vanquished by an upstart insider from up the road!  For more pictures of the DB9, including the full interior visit this link at Auto Express.

Aston revives AM V8 Vantage, 25 years on! Britain's first "Supercar"  the V8 Vantage has been revived as Aston's first "Super Seller" for model year 2005.  Featuring a rear opening hatch, Aston's second hatchback (the DB 2/4 was the first) is slated for annual production of 3000 units beginning 2005.  The 4.3 litre V8, developed by Cosworth, boasts 350 bhp and a paddle shift semi-automatic rear mounted gearbox. Top speed for the 1500kg hot hatch is claimed at 200 mph.  For pictures click here MY05 AM V8 Vantage.  For more coverage of the launch visit these sites Pistonheads.com, thecarconnection.com, EuropeAutoNews

New V8 Aston to debut at Detroit Motor Show! Aston Martin will launch their new small Porsche 911 challenger at the NAIAS in Detroit on Jan 5 2003. The car features a Cosworth developed V8 engine fitted forward into an new rear drive composite/alloy chassis.  Bespoke door handles, lights and interior fitments differentiate it from previous cars that have used many components from parent Ford's parts bin. The rear lights are unusual elliptical shapes while the car features a smoother profile without the wide rear haunches characteristic of the Vanquish.  Wheels also differ from current fitments but utilise radial spokes. The grill is also less pronounced than on the DB7 Vantage Zagato. Teaser photos of the car are currently being circulated with a strict press embargo from AML preventing them being published. Details can also be found at Pistonheads.com and thecarconnection.com where they refer to it as the DB5.

Vanquish not visible in new Bond movie!  Moviegoers may be disappointed that the Vanquish doesn't appear in the new Bond film, Die Another Day.  However the new Vanish does, as Q call's it, after an interesting entrance that even leaves Bond not seeing clearly.  For those of you that haven't seen the movie we wont spoil it for you here.
The Vanquish does make an appearance in the December issue of TopGear magazine.  In the Million Quid Mega-Test is goes up against the Murcielago, Maranello, 911 Turbo, Pagani Zonda, TVR and Mercedes SL55.  After only its second acceleration run it fries its clutch,  Aston probably wished it had sent the Vanish!  Whilst the Bond car is fitted with all manner of gadgets the production version seems to come standard with only a self-destruct clutch; in TopGear's test last year the clutch lasted 17 acceleration runs before failing.  It also proved slowest of all the cars on test but redeemed itself by looking the best.  Now we may be told by Aston's diligent PR team that the testers didn't treat the clutch sympathetically and don't understand how to use the paddle gearshift correctly (they may not have taken Aston's $1500 Learn To Drive a Vanquish course at Millbrook).  However the Ferrari Maranello uses the same system and suffered no problems whatsoever, even being over a second quicker to 60mph and 1 1/2 secs. ahead to 100mph!

New Bond Aston makes a small appearance! While few details have been forthcoming of the gadgets fitted to Bond's new Aston appearing in Die Another Day, due to open November 22, the release of the 1/18 scale model answers all.  The Vanquish's grill retracts to reveal rockets and guns. The heat vents in the bonnet slide back for auto tracking guns to emerge.  In the cabin the passenger seat is ejectible through a removable roof panel.  Quite how this will work in the movie when the car spends time sliding along on its roof is yet to be disclosed.  The first pre-release models from the Beanstalk Group have been sent to a select few distributors.

Tailor-made DB7 Zagato debuts at a tailor!  Aston chose Savile Row and the headquarters of the upmarket West End tailor Gieves & Hawkes for the London launch of the DB7 Zagato this week.  Essentially a DB7 Vantage with a new set of clothes the irony of the launch locale may have been lost on the assembled masses.  While the outgoing DB7 may have a new suit to wear it essentially remains unchanged inside.  The interior differs little from the standard car and less than 60 kg has been removed from the cars hefty weight.  The styling of the hand beaten alloy body certainly leaves something to be desired with a guppy-esque grille and very unusual rear.  For more details read the Financial Times report on the debut.  If your in the Pebble Beach area this weekend you may get an invite to its US debut during the famous Monterey get together.  Popular Mechanics has more details on the release.  For a gallery of release pictures try Classic Driver.

Ford cashes in on Bond with Aston!  Ford have revealed details of the cars used in the forthcoming Bond movie.  In addition to the Aston and Jaguar the Ford Thunderbird will be heavily featured in the promotional campaign.  Replica Bond Girl Thunderbirds in a special coral colour will be available to the public.  Details of the Vanquish's weapons are also released. According to Ford.com: "For Die Another Day, James Bond's Aston Martin V12 Vanquish will have two machine guns extending from the grilles on the hood, while the front grille splits in half to reveal four missiles and a pair of shotguns.  However, these represent relatively few modifications to a "Bond car," as Bond will use his skill as a driver in the film more than depend on abundant armament."  They also mention the modified 400 horsepower Jaguar XKR convertible driven by Rick Yune, who plays one of the movie's villains, Zao.  "The Jaguar XKR has been transformed into a four-wheel drive beast to make easy handling on the icy landscapes where the car chase scenes are set."   The Aston also received similar treatment but Ford made no mention of this or the fact it was fitted with a V8 in their press release.  For more details visit PRNewswire

Vanquish...vanquished!  The AMOC Lime Rock meet was a stunning success with glorious weather, beautiful cars and the first track outing for the new Vanquish.  With the Pre War Astons lapping faster that the DB7s it was up to the Vanquish to restore honour to the factory.  The DB4s were down into the 1.03 lap times but alas the two Vanquishes could not match them.  Ingloriously the Silver one dumped all its coolant onto the track in front of the pits and went home with its tail between its wheels on a flatbed.  Newly restored cars from Steel Wings, Pre War and DB4, took home concours honours while 8 1/2 month old Calista Papadopoulos' Vantage took out the elite class.  For more pictures have a look at her proud daddy's gallery at Autosport Designs

Bean there...done that!  Aston racing celebrity Rowan Atkinson has been visibly absent from AMOC racing the past year due to his burgeoning movie career.  However; that hasn't stopped him from driving Astons on screen.  He appears with a DB7 Vantage in his new spy spoof, Johnny English, in the role of the bumbling MI7 agent he made famous in a series of 17 commercials for Barclaycard in the 1990's.  No word yet on whether the bumbling agent crashes the Vantage on film!  For more details and pictures see Empire Online

Withdrawn from sale....one satisfied owner!  Aston Martin have responded to the story in the Independent on Sunday.  Categorically they state they are not for sale.  Tim Watson, Director of Public Affairs for Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd, assured the Stable they were never consulted on the report. As Tim put it, "If the Independent had then it would have been made very clear that Aston Martin is not for sale. Nor will it be for sale. There are no plans for it to be sold - it has the investment and backing of Ford to develop two new model lines and a new factory is underway being built at Gaydon.....Aston Martin is NOT for sale." 

For Sale....Aston Martin....Many previous owners!  Reports in the UK newspaper, the Independent on Sunday, suggest Ford may be considering selling Aston Martin.  Ford have denied the report but rumours continue to circulate after internal sources quoted  William Clay Ford jnr, Ford chairman, as saying the sale of Aston Martin "was worth thinking about". He added: "We should think about focusing on being a mass-market producer."  For the full report.... Independent. 
While Ford denies the report we'd like to speculate on potential purchasers.  The Prodrive company is a likely suitor.  They recently purchased Tickford, the former engineering offshoot of Aston Martin originally set up in the early 1980's, and have a previous Managing Director of Aston on staff, Nick Fry.  Also Prodrive owner Dave Richards is an avid fan of the marque owning numerous Astons including DB3S, DB6 Volante and DB7 Vantage Volante.

PAG cut down to size!  The first major cost cutting to affect the PAG Group involves the Jaguar F-Type sports car.  News of its demise was announced by the Detroit news.  How this will affect the new smaller Aston is not yet clear, but speculation is that it will boost the resources being directed to this car.  Aston Martin preempted this announcement with a denial they will be sharing a platform with other vehicles in the Ford Empire.  However; the new Aston will share a V8 with Jaguar.  More details.....

Vanquishing the villain!  The first trailer for the new 007 Movie Die Another Day has been released.  It features action scenes with Bond in the Aston battling the villain in his Jaguar.  Now available at Bond 20

Connolly Leather dries out!  Connolly Leather Ltd, a long established and renowned supplier of fine upholstery leather to the automotive industry and Aston Martin, have gone into Administrative Receivership.  Challenging trading conditions over the last twelve months have resulted in the closure of its US business and following the events of 11th September 2001, a downsizing of the UK business.  For more details KPMG UK are handling the receivership.  Connolly have supplied Astons since the 1950s and the closure of the business would pose dire consequences for all specialist car companies in the UK.  Alternatives may include Bridge of Weir, the only other leather superior in quality which was used on the V8 range in the 1970s and 80s.

April 19.02

The axe falls! It's official, Reitzle's reign is over, Ford announced it today.  For more details  http://detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0204/19/autos-469745.htm Additionally the PAG becomes solely European with Lincoln Mercury out of the mix leaving just Aston, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo.

April 18.02

Trouble at the top! According to a report in the Detroit News Ford Chairman, William Clay Ford Jr., has given PAG boss Wolfgang Reitzle, a talented but mercurial German executive, until the end of this week to decide whether he is staying at Ford or defecting.  Reitzle is ultimately in charge of Astons future and the cars it produces.  His loss may impact product planning and Aston's position in the Ford empire.  For more details read the article here http://detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0204/18/a01-468417.htm

April 15.02

Double Bubble...again! Zagato Updated Tim Watson at AML has contacted the Kangaroo Stable with more details of the Zagato/Aston involvement.  Zagato is making a limited run of cars based on the DB7 - all Coupes, no more than 75 and for collectors only, and no cabriolet/convertible. The Prototype is to be shown to customers this summer and orders then to be taken by Zagato who will also build the car.  No details if it will feature Zagatos distinctive double bubble roof design.
The DB7 Speedster we mentioned will be a lightweight car based upon the current DB7 - cut down screen and no hood - just for the Californian market and will be shown next January at LA.
Many thanks to AML for the extra information.

April 11.02

Zagato goes topless...again! Famed Italian coachbuilder Zagato is to make another styling attempt on an Aston, this time a DB7 Vantage. With a cut-down windscreen and get-you-home roofing arrangements it will be very much in the speedster-style currently finding popularity among Californian designers. The car will also have more power and bigger brakes, most likely from the Vanquish. Zagato plans to show the car at the Paris Salon this Autumn with possible production of up to 25 cars if the response is favourable. For more details on Zagato history visit Zagato.it
 

March 14.02

Aston heads off piste!  The first all wheel drive Aston Martin has headed off road and onto the ice in Die Another Day, the new Bond movie.  Filming has begun on a frozen lake in Iceland for the five minute chase scene which is the action climax in the middle of the film. 007 is chased by the bad guy in an AWD Jaguar XKR  around icebergs and across the lake after rescuing his female accomplice from the Ice Hotel.  For more details visit Bond at Die Another Day

March 6.02

End of the line!  The announcement from Ford, as reported on the BBC, that Newport Pagnell would cease to build Aston Martins was expected. It was inevitable after the purchase of Land Rover, and the Gaydon property that went with it, that Aston was destined to have a new home. When it was announced a  design, development and production facility was to be built there it was only a matter of time before Newport and Bloxham would close.  Economies of scale dictate production, design and marketing be centralised in one location.  The benefits are obvious and the addition of an on-site test track will ensure future models are well sorted before getting into customer hands. Service facilities will remain at Newport but we can only hope Sunnyside, the landmark cottage forever associated with Aston Martin, will be preserved for posterity.

February 15.02

Modeling the Vanquish!  For those who's Vanquish delivery has been delayed, or if you're a long way down on the waiting list here's a super model you might like to have in the garage while your waiting.  Built by Bburago Spa of Italy it's from their Gold Collection in 1/18 scale. Available in Red or Green, part # 3363 & 33631, it will be available from your nearest hobbyist in the next few months.  Interestingly it features the wheels used on the prototype rather than the production multi-spoked version.

Later in the year the James Bond version will be available from The Beanstalk Group, the world’s leading licensing and promotional products agency.  Along with Bond Marketing Inc., they announced the creation of a joint venture program – believed to be the first deal of its kind in the licensing industry - to design, manufacture and distribute premium die-cast and radio-controlled cars inspired by the vehicles which will be appearing in the much anticipated new film, “Bond 20”. Under the arrangement, The Beanstalk Group will source and sell all of the products in this program, with profits to be shared by both parties.  The exclusive designs for 1:18th scale die-cast cars will include the Aston Martin Vanquish, the Jaguar XKR and the 2003 Bondgirl Thunderbird. There will also be two remote-controlled models of the Vanquish and the Jaguar XKR.

February 12.02

The name's Ford...James Ford!  James Bond wont be driving an Aston engined Vanquish in the new Bond film currently in production.  The movie will be full of vehicles from the Ford stable including Jaguar XKRs, a Ford Thunderbird for the new Bond girl and a V8 engined Vanquish for 007.  It seems all the gadgets wouldn't fit with a V12 under the bonnet.  Out came the engine, transmission and driveline and in went US sourced bits mated to a yanky V8.  At least four cars have been built up using Vanquish development hacks with assistance from the factory.  For a video clip of the car follow the Bond 20 link and click on the Car Workshop for more details, a look at the engine and the sound of its distinctive V8 burble.  Through the wonders of movie magic the Vanquish will even sound like a V12 when the film debuts in November!

January 17.02

Ameri-spec Vanquish!  Aston spotters in England take note. A group of unusual Vanquishes have been out testing near Newport Pagnell.  With a sound more reminiscent of the rumble of an American V8 and sporting an automatic transmission with visible shifter in the center console these Anglo-US hybrids have been seen and heard in the last few weeks.  Could this be a new cheaper version of Astons supercar contender or is this the new Vantage version?  All details will be revealed in a few days!

October 29.01

Door closes on Aston's biggest ally!  Aston Martin's staunchest and highest ranking supporter in the Ford Motor Company, CEO Jac Nasser,  has been shown the door.  His enthusiasm and support for Astons date from his days with Ford Australia when he was the proud owner of a DBS V8. He finally sold it only a few years ago after becoming domicile in the USA.  The current Vanquish is the result of his enthusiasm and drive to make Project Vantage a production reality.  Jac was also the driving force behind Aston becoming a technological showcase for the Ford empire.  Where his departure leaves the company is still unclear.  The Jaguar Formula 1 program was also a direct legacy of his love for the sport.   With Ford hemorrhaging red ink we can only hope another white knight steps forward to champion Astons cause in Detroit.

October 26.01

Taking a-Vantage of the situation!  Aston Martin's director of Public relations has contacted us regarding news items coming from the Stable. He wanted to make clear Dr. Bez had never damaged or caused damage to a Vanquish at the Nurburgring; however he did crash the Zagato replica at Oulton Park as we reported.
According to Tim Watson, the new PR Director, the journalist that experienced clutch failure during the press launch of the Vanquish broke the car - not the other way around. We weren't told exactly how this happened but we can confirm the other scribes did experience major clutch problems, but being the good boys they are, backed off before the clutch let go.
If we offended Dr. Bez we do apologize, we didn't realise he was such a sensitive fellow!  Taking advantage of his misfortune at Oulton Park obviously upset a few people at Aston Martin.  Now they are guided by a German Chief Executive Dr. Bez (ex Porsche), Danish Designer Henrik Fisker (ex BMW) and have the German Wolfgang Reitzle (ex BMW) overseeing the company Aston have become very sensitive indeed.  We wouldn't want to upset them...they might make us drive Porsches or BMWs!  Interesting how they have an Audi subsidiary, Cosworth, building the V12 engines for the DB7 and Vanquish!

October 21.01

A Vantage Vanquished!  UK EVO magazine reports online of a Vantage Vanquish being introduced sometime in 2002, the Geneva Show being the likely target.  After criticism of the paddle shift gearbox and clutch failures a conventional option may be available.  We can't help but wonder that if they tried to put a rumoured 550 bhp through the current semi-automatic system ( which has trouble with a mere 450 bhp in the standard car )  would the paddles come off in your hands while the clutch exploded and took off one or more limbs? For more details go to EVO News

October 11.01

Crash test dummy!  At the AMOC test day on Friday at Oulton Park, one Dr. Ulrich Bez was sharing the Roger Bennington DB4GT Zagato replica in preparation for the half-hour race on Saturday.   On his out lap from the pits he stuck it sideways into the tyres - front, bonnet, left front side panel, door and rear quarter all suffered heavy damage but they were out on Saturday with loads of gaffer tape on. Dr Bez circulated the track very slowly during the race.  After rumours he crashed a Vanquish at the Nurburgring last year and now this accident, it begs the question: Is this Aston's newest crash test dummy or was Dr Bez trying to get rid of another Zagato replica?  Probably not good for the PR department to have the company chief executive driving a fake, rather than real, Aston.  There was no truth to the rumour his pit board had the following message: REPORT TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY 8.00 A.M.!  Maybe he's been taking driving lessons from Mr. Bean!

August 23.01

Renewing a bond James Bond, the legendary British secret agent, will drive an Aston Martin again in the next 007 film it was announced today by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Eon Productions, and Aston Martin. The 20th installment is due for release in 2002. For more details http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?article_id=9317&id=&art_ids=0&bn=1  This will mark the second on-screen outing for the car after its appearance in the Tomb Raider movie.  Don't be suprised if the Vanquish appears in the Bond movie in Volante and Vantage versions.

August 11.01

Clutching a Vanquish The media onslaught for the V12 Vanquish has begun with a vengeance.  Autocar, EVO, Auto Express and all the major car magazines have been treated to a launch of the car.  Four cars were made available to journalists with favourable reviews in general.  Major area of complaint was the interior not being up to the standard of the rest of the car.  The clutch also came in for criticism.  No less than five journalists had trouble with it overheating, even filling the cabin with acrid smoke.  One unfortunate scribe had the clutch plate explode sending shrapnel into the carbon fibre transmission tunnel.  After two years of development and close to a million miles testing the situation is almost farcical.  Reminds you of the time Aston Martin had to push the Lagonda in front of the waiting media as the computer wouldn't allow the car to start!  With the money Ford has spent on the Vanquish things like this shouldn't happen.

July 9.01

Zagato looking a bit has been Actor Rowan Atkinson ( aka Mr. Bean) crashed his V8 Vantage Zagato yet again at the weekend.  At the AMOC meeting, held at Croft Circuit in Yorkshire, he made contact with the barriers at Tower Bend.  In a move reminiscent to that at Silverstone last year where he put the car head on into the barriers (see June 27.00 report), this incident occurred at higher speed as the fastest section of the track leads into the corner . The race - the seventh of the meeting - had to be restarted after Atkinson was checked by a doctor and his battered car was recovered from the track. Damage to the Zagato, chassis # 20013 was substantial and the Aston Martin Works Service department, who prepare and maintain the car, will have their work cut out repairing the damage.

June 6.01

Exceptional prices for Exceptional Cars Included in Christies auction of Exceptional Motor Cars from the Collection of Sir Elton John were three Vantages.  The prices achieved for the three cars were exceptional based on current market conditions. 
Lot 3: 1987 ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE VOLANTE Winchester blue with dark blue hood, and magnolia interior Estimate £50,000 - 70,000, Sold for £101,650
Lot 9: 1985 ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE COUPE Royal cherry with magnolia interior Estimate £30,000 - 40,000, Sold for £102,750
Lot 17: 1978 ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE COUPE  Blue with magnolia interior  Estimate £20,000 - 30,000, Sold for £80,750
For more details click on Christies at http://www.christies.com/index.asp?action=sale&id=10941

May.28.01

Vanquish cameo  Don't expect to see much of the Vanquish in the Tomb Raider movie, based on the popular computer game, due out this June.  Driven by Lara Croft, the movie's heroine, it features briefly as she drives it to a dinner engagement.  For major action and chases Croft rides a motorcycle.

May.27.01

Works Auction  A number of Vantages were entered for the Bonham Brooks auction of Aston Martins held at the Newport Pagnell works service area on May 12, 2001.  Results for the cars were:
Lot 165: 1952 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage, Estimate £28,000-32,000 Sold for £23,250
Lot 168: 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage GT, Estimate £125,000-£110,000-130,000 Sold for £129,100
Lot 187: 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Mark II Vantage, Estimate £32,000-36,000 Not sold
Lot 152: 1973 Aston Martin AM Vantage (manual), Estimate £12,000-14,000 Not sold
Lot 181: 1973 Aston Martin AM Vantage (auto), Estimate £9,000-11,000 Sold for £8,740
Lot 163: 1978 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Estimate £28,000-32,000 Not sold
Lot 156: 1986 Aston Martin Vantage Zagato, Estimate £60,000-80,000 Sold for £67,500
Lot 183: 1989 Aston Martin Zagato Volante, Estimate £55,000-65,000 Not sold
Lot 173: 1995 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Estimate £40,000-50,000 Sold for £45,500

January.22.01

Apologies for no updates over the last few months.  The Kangaroo Stable is currently "Down Under" for the Northern Winter/Southern Summer.

We omitted to report the involuntary crash testing of a Vanquish during development at the Nurburgring back in October/November.  It is rumoured that one of the senior Teutonic managers of Aston put the car into the Armco unintentionally.  Whether Her Reitzle or Dr. Bez was driving has not been confirmed.  There's nothing like the management getting real world experience of the car's safety provisions.

Many people have wondered why the Vanquish interior was changed from that of the Project Vantage showcar.  It may be because Ford wanted it to appear in their own cars.  A prototype Ford Falcon Ute on display at the Sydney Auto show had an interior very similar to that of Project Vantage.  To say it looked better than the Vanquish's, but not as good as the Project Vantage, would be an understatement.  The photo on the left is the Ford!

The information within this website is provided for educational purposes to parties interested in learning about the Aston Martin Automobile. It is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. This is not an official web site and has no connection with Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd nor the Aston Martin Owners Club and is not authorised by them. Some words, model names, logos and designations appear on this website in pictures and text where they are used for identification purposes only.  They are the property of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.,  Aston Martin Owners Club and registered copyright owners.
Please do not reproduce any part of this website or images on these pages without my express permission.  As this is an educational site permission will be readily given, in most circumstances.