Automotive

The recent posts by Riddler on his Aston Martin Rapide and Bill on his DB9 reminded to post pictures of the Aston Martin event a few months ago at Pebble Beach.  I joined several PuristSPro Moderators for a private event hosted by Aston Martin to test drive the Vanquish and Rapide.  The estate was beautiful however I was disappointed in the parking arrangements and having to see many exotic cars parked on a dusty sloped hillside.  Anyway, once we found a spot we checked in with the AM staff and waiting for our appointments.  Refreshments were served and in the waiting are there were these intricately detailed models of the current Aston Martin collection.  These scale models are made by Amalgam Fine Model Cars and is one of the most detailed automotive models I've seen (and they have prices that reflect the quality and detail).  Here's one with the Vanquish in Aviemore Blue paint.

As you can see the interior details are superb and looks full scale in the pictures.

Throughout the Monterey estate were several AM Vantage S, Vanquish and Roadsters in factory flat and glossy paint schemes.

DB9 Volante in a a flat 'morning frost white' color.  Interior was decorated in monotone white trim.

And I'm sure this would the first choice for DRMW our TimeOut Moderator, a V12 powered Vantage S in Sunburst Yellow colors. This 5935cc V12 powerplant produces 565bhp and 457lb/ft of torque.  Specs claim that this Vantage S can do 0 to 60mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 205mph.  Very impressive.

Carbon fiber packages are available and include carbon mirrors, carbon front and rear air diffusers, and carbon side vents on the exterior.  While talking with the reps at AM they mentioned that a popular option is 'lipstick' which is a contrasting color along the front grill.  In the picture above you can see the black color line around the signature Aston martin grill really does look like black lipstick.  Below are pics of the carbon fiber package.

TRG-Aston Marting Racing brought along their GT3 car.  There are changes in 2014 to the racing program with ALMS moving to a new series name the Tudor United SportsCar Championship.  The first race in 2014 will be the Rolex 24 at Daytona.  Aston Martin will also be participating in the IMSA Continental Tire Series and the Pirelli World Challenge.  IMHO, AM will have a tough challenge from the new C7R Corvette Racing Team but I'm sure it will be a series of exciting races.  I'm looking forward to the Grand Prix of Long Beach to see these race cars battle it out on the tracks.

Another display had a really great full size engineering cutout where you can see the chassis and interior sheet metal on one side and a fully completed car on the other half side.

Bond... James Bond.  The Aston Martin DB5 is a iconic car for agent 007.  I still remember watching the movie Goldfinger and seeing all cool gadgets like the bullet proof shield and the machine guns that extended out from under the front lights.

The Aston Martin CC100 was created by their design team as a homage to AM's century of heritage but also reflects the future of the brand.  This was open to the guest to touch and sit behind the wheel to see what Aston has considered for the future.

Full carbon fiber door was extremely lightweight with a angled upward sweeping opening.  Interior revealed the typical high grade leather interior and plenty of carbon fiber on the dash and center console.

For my test drive around the Monterey Peninsula, I was lucky to get the V12 Vanquish.  My prior experience with Aston Martin was a last year when I had an opportunity to join the Wandering PuristS in an extended drive in the AM Virage Volante.   Comparing the two, the Vanquish is just as elegant but with more horsepower and torque. 

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, AM released the new V12 Zagato.  This car was first unveiled as a prototype at the 2011 Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance and now in production.  I can see the family resemblance between the designs, but overall the rounded shapes on the front and rear were not attractive to me.  I didn't care for the design of the large rear tail lights either.  But I do appreciate the amount of careful hand craftsmanship that goes into creating each of these unique V12 Zagatos. 

Regards,
ED-209

I like that yellow Vantage S, thanks for the report!

-MW

Still not sure about the black 'lipstick' around the front grill but it's a great looking car in yellow.

Regards,

ED-209

A very good report. I felt that I was with you in the event As for the cars, they look superb and well,no comment on it. Happy New Year. May 2014 bring joy and happiness to you and yours. Thank you very much.

WTA

Thanks WTA, it was a fun event and glad you like the report.  Happy New Year and best wishes to you for a fantastic 2014!

Regards,

ED-209

 

It's nice to relive your August Aston Martin Experience isn't it?   This message has been edited by patrick_y on 2014-01-01 03:03:51

Thanks Patrick and it was fun hanging out with you at the event.  How did you like the test drive?  Any favorite AM's?

Regards,

ED-209

I'm not the target market for the Aston Martin car, but I thought the Vanquish I test drove was a unique experience, but not something I loved in terms of raw performance.  

A lot of dreamcars inside!

Fx

Thanks foversta, it was cool to see all those wonderful cars.  Even the CC100 was awesome and we got to touch and sit in it too.

Regards,

ED-209

is, what's that cool Vale 46 tshirt in the background?



thanks for the great post and pics!

Agree, that scale model was very impressive.  Yep definitely cool tshirt in the background!

Regards,

ED-209

between AM and AMG recently (AMG to produce the engines for AM) and it would probably start with the 2016 vantage model

 

so excited about the future outcome of this partenership

Hi, thanks for checking out the post.  Heard the news there about the partnership which is exciting.  And congrats again to you on our AM Rapide, it's a beautiful car.  I remember attending the debut of the Rapide at the AM Beverly Hills dealership a few years ago and was impressed by what it offers.  Happy New Year and best wishes to you for a fantastic 2014! Hope to see more pics of your AM and hear about your driving impressions.

Regards,

ED-209

Beautiful cars, some of them not easy to see. 

Great photos and many dream cars indeed. I was so close to joining their 1st On-Ice event last year, due to already booked a Cancun vacation.

I'm also a car nut...Aston Martin really make the most beautiful cars in the world!

Good for you, enjoying most men favorite toys, Ed.

Rgds

Raymond

Automotive forum, and of course the TimeOut forum for all fun things too!  Glad to hear you enjoyed the post on Aston Martin.  Which model do you like most?  Vantage S? Virage Volante?  Or...

Regards,
ED-209

ps - Stay tuned in the next few days, I have some really cool pics and post of a special Super Car coming up soon!

Vantage GT....what's not to like about Aston Martin, haha.

Regards,
ED-209

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No message body This message has been edited by Raymond_S on 2014-12-10 22:24:34

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