Aston Martin

[Des]

Has anyone here ever dreamed of owning a Aston Martin?

so many nice models,
the Lagonda,
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ryWyZbNXhVY


Vantage,
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fXarpQ8fhu8&feature=related


the new DB9


http://youtube.com/watch?v=oJh6zeSOL3Y

 

[Andrew280SEL]

I've never dreamed of owning one in my short life so far probably because I don't know all that much about them, but they seem like quite a nice car.

Would you be thinking of one after the Audi TT later down the track?

 

[Michel]

The company that sold me the Queen of Sheba Brooklands in Sandringham (Melbourne) specialises in Aston Martins and also their conversion to a unique body called DBSZ

http://www.brooklands.com/

Check them out.

On the other hand, i, like many other aspiring young men in the 60s, wanted to emulate james Bond in his AM.....

Man, what a car...

 

[Des]

Would you be thinking of one after the Audi TT later down the track?

nah, you can only beat around the bush so long before the stick hits you in the head and you realise where your true passion lays.

 

[116Benz]

Vanquish...lovely car, Dont mind the DB8 is a bit special as well. Closest I'll probably get is either the minature model or the brochure

 

[Martin280s]

For me It'd have to be a W.O. Bentley designed V12 Lagonda Rapide....none of this modern nonsense! Although the William Towns 'wedge' desgin was sharp, to say the least.

Does anyone remember the Vignale concept car built on a Lincoln Towncar platform? I belive it was auctioned off recently.

 

[Michel]

The original Rapide


The Concept

 

[-bb-]

Obviously it's a real love it or hate it thing, but I still think the Lagonda is one of the best looking cars I have ever seen.

 

[Martin280s]

Michel, I'd never seen those two shots of the concept car! have you seen it inside? A futuristic & retro look at the same time. Pity it was built on a Ford platform.

 

[116Benz]

I did see this while I was doing a road test 2 weeks ago, I love it, a Vantage in this colour with the cream leather and a CL600 in Periclase Green with designo Armagnac Leather (Cognac colour) in the garage. And thats just 2 of the toys in the garage.


and

 

[Michel]

The art deco inspired coachwork of the Aston Martin Lagonda Vignale was penned by designer Moray Callum, and constructed by Ghia of Turin.

First seen at the 1993 Geneva Auto Salon, the Lagonda Vignale was a concept of what Ford thought a 4-door Aston Martin limousine should look like, and it was shown to guage public opinion of such a model.

Built on a Lincoln chassis, the Aston Martin Lagonda Vignale was powered by a 4.6 litre V8. Only 2 Lagonda Vignale's were constructed, one sold at auction in 2002, and fetched $403,500.

Here are a couple of interior shots

 

[Styria]

You guys are absolutely cruel in every which way ! Michel - that concept car I was not even aware of. What a simple, yet magnificent shape and timeless elegance. A bit like the two door Bentley, but so graceful. Any chance of digging up pics. of the interior ? That would be fabulous.

Des - anybody ? Aston Martin built a four door Aston Martin Lagonda - I think it was prior to the William Towns wedge shaped Lagonda - it could have been in the late '70's. Now, that was a beautiful car. In fact, if I remember correctly, they built another four door, also in the seventies, but again, it was somewhat of an one-off special. I am not referring to the 1962-1964 (55 were built) Lagonda Rapide.

Anyone now - yes, that V12 Lagonda Rapide - BTW, doesn't the name flow off one's tongue like honey. What do you drive ? I drive a Lagonda Rapide - another spoon of honey, please. Ah !

Right, back to reality. Some thirty five years ago, I got to know an architect by the name of Whitehead who lived, if you please, in a small castle at Warrawee, one of the finer Sydney suburbs - you know, Millionaire's row and all that. Lovely chap, loved his Scotch and Lagondas. He had two of the illustrated dropheads (V12's), a V12 Saloon, a 1962 Lagonda Rapide, a 1953 and 1958 6 cylinder convertibles with the 2.6 and 3.0 litre W. O. Bentley designed twin overhead cams engines, and an absolutly priceless (AS WELL !)Alvis 4.3 litre Saloon (if I recall correctly). His everyday transport was a Ford Escort.

I don't know whatever happened to his cars. The chap is obviously no longer with us. However, I did hear and see the Rapide with an auto trans. place at Hornsby - purely be chance with a blown up DG Box and in for repairs or rectification. I believe his son went to live at Armidale, with the Rapide in his possession, with rats having gotten to the leather interior at last acquaintance. That's where this story ends. Nice dreaming. Styria