an old Aston Martin at the Desert Classic Concours De Elegance 2012

The least anyone ever paid for a Ferrari GTO: £750

 A very famous collector, who has one of the finest noses for sniffing out a deal, hears a whisper that the first James Bond Aston Martin DB5 may be for sale. This is back in the day. 

The word is that for the right money, the original James Bond car can be bought directly from the movie studio. So he makes a few calls, he tracks down the production guy, the one who can price and sell, and the guy says: “It’s gonna have to be 15 for the pair.”

“You mean there are two?”

“Hey man, this is showbusiness, there’s always two… at least.”

“But 15 for the pair,” says our man. “I wasn’t counting on spending that much and I don’t really want two – I just want one.”

“Well, that’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”

Fifteen thousand pounds – a lot of money now, a load of money then. Our hero hesitates for a moment, but his nose knows better. It tells him to deal, deal now. He buys the cars.

The cash is to be paid on delivery of both vehicles. The day arrives, the trailer pulls up, the cars roll off. The invoice reads: "Fifteen HUNDRED Pounds". 

Yes friends, both original Bond cars for £1,500, but it doesn’t end there. Be prepared to run to the hills screaming. 

Our man then swaps one of the Bond cars for a GTO. That’s a GTO for £750. That’s the cheapest GTO ever and... he still has it today.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/classiccars/3398352/Chris-Evans-Why-the-Ferrari-250-GTO-is-the-best-possible-investment.html

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

Aston Martin will unveil one of the most eagerly anticipated convertibles of the year when the V8 Vantage Roadster. 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster SPORT SHIFT designed with new specifications that include Convertible body style, 14 CT / 21 HW fuel economy. 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster embodies the qualities that are integral to Aston Martin: Power, Beauty and Soul.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

The rationale behind the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S was to push the boundaries of the already acclaimed V8 Vantage with the highest levels of driver involvement possible. Aston Martin engineers set about enhancing nearly every dynamic element of the car to create a highly distinctive driving experience. The Aston Martin Vantage range comes of age with the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage S characterised by a host of new driver-focussed features all designed to push the honed dynamics of the standard Vantage to a new benchmark level.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage and the Aston Martin V12 Vantage are a series of hand built sports cars from the British manufacturer Aston Martin. Aston Martin has previously used the “Vantage” name on high performance variants of their existing GT models. “The Vantage S epitomizes every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before”, says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, “It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range”.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

"With every new model we continue to evolve and enhance our VH architecture," said Aston Martin Product Development Director, Ian Minards. "The engineering team at Gaydon looked at every single performance attribute of the V8 Vantage, from engine and transmission to suspension, steering, brakes and tires and considered what was required to make this car deserving of the coveted 'S' badge. The result is a pure driver-focused package that, in both the coupe and Roadster form, exploits and emphasizes the sporting nature of the iconic Vantage."

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

Power for the 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster comes from a 4.7L V8, which has been re-engineered to deliver 430 bhp (436 PS / 321 kW) at 7300 rpm and torque of 490 Nm (361 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm. The engine is mated to a new round-up developed 7-speed Sportshift II transmission specifically designed for the Vantage S with seven short ratio gears. Aston Martin says that the transmission is twenty percent quicker than its Sportshift. The 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster also benefits from its own sound with a new exhaust muffler, quickened steering rack ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard car and a larger diameter front brake disc with new six-piston front brake calipers, new dynamic stability control (DSC) system and bespoke Bridgestone tires.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

The power and torque delivery on the 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster is delivered at the most frequently used mid range engine speeds which creates tractable and effortless acceleration. Most demand for power and torque is in the mid-range which on the 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster is where the greatest torque is delivered at 5000 rpm. As with all Aston Martins, the 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster benefits from near perfect weight balance of 49:51 front to rear owing to the placement of the gearbox on the transaxle contributing to the excellent dynamics. The 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster has an automatically retracting fabric hood which can be operated up to 20 mph (30 km/h). The S variant features a unique exhaust muffler specifically tuned to aurally define its sporting intent. A revised map opens the bypass valves earlier in the rev range at 3500 rpm and even earlier in 'Sport' mode producing more crackle on the overrun.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

The 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster weighs 3726 lbs, 66 lbs (30 kg) lighter than the standard Vantage owing to weight optimization of the new Sportshift II transmission and use of carbon fiber. Air cooled, rather than oil cooled, the Sportshift II system takes advantage through the deletion of the oil pump and associated ancillaries saving 53 lbs (24 kg) over the conventional six speed Sportshift system.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

The optional carbon fibre and Kevlar® composite seats cosset the driver providing support during spirited driving while remaining comfortable on long journeys. Saving 17 kg per car, the seats which are manufactured by a supplier to the motorsport and aviation industries are hand-trimmed by craftsmen and women at the Gaydon production facility.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

Both the Vantage S coupe and Roadster are hand built at Aston Martin's global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire alongside the V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage. Each Aston Martin V8 Vantage S takes in excess of 185 man-hours to build including 50 man-hours to paint and 70 man-hours to hand trim the interior. Each car undergoes meticulous attention to detail in not only the build phase but quality control and handover processes too.

2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3

2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3

Aston Martin is a British car manufacturer from releasing a new racing car named the Aston Martin Vantage GT3. Aston Martin will unveil its new 2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3 race car which can be seen in all racing circuit in 2012. The new 2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3 joins the Vantage GT2, GT4, DBR9 GT1 and the AMR-One LMP1 to create the largest and most comprehensive range of Aston Martin race cars to date.

2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3

GT3 has become a very successful racing car of the DBRS9. Competition is what makes the new car that combines experience in the category of the latest technology in the continuing success of Aston Martin’s race in the GT3 over the years and the future.

Designed to FIA regulations, the 2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3 will be built around the Vantage aluminium VH architecture with a lightweight dry-sumped 6.0 litre V12 engine, based on the V12 Vantage road car. The engine is capable of delivering 600 HP and a peak torque of 516 lb ft.

The 2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3 will be equipped with a race semi-automatic paddle shift Xtrac gearbox and the latest race-developed ABS and traction control systems. Aston Martin plans to deliver around 600 horsepower and 516 lbs-ft (700 Nm) of maximum torque in the GT3, with the 2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3 weighing only 2,755 lbs (1250 kg)

2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3

Power for the Aston Martin V12 Vantage comes from a 6.0L V12 making 510-hp with a peak torque of 420 lb-ft. That allows for a 0 to 62 mph run in just 4.2 seconds with a top speed of 190 mph.

2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3

John Gaw, Aston Martin Racing Managing Director said: “The DBRS9 has been a very successful GT3 racing car and, despite being more than six years old, is still competitive today. However, the competition has moved on and we needed to create a new car that combines our six years’ experience in this category with the latest race technology to continue Aston Martin’s success in GT3 for many years to come.”

The first 2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3 will be completed in July 2011 and will undergo tests and development program during the rest of the year. Ten customer cars will be built ready for delivery for the start of the 2012 season.

2012 Aston Martin Sports Cars Vantage GT3

Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car

Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car

It's green - very. This is The Aston Martin Vantage V12 race car is Terrifying and impressive, a well-known brand car that turned into a speed monster, with a design that is really interesting and really cool to make this car really looks cool and amazing. That's not green as in the environmental sense either, as anything with 12 cylinders, a 6.0-litre capacity and 510bhp isn't going to please the tree huggers. The V12 Vantage looks every inch the racing car.

Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car

Fitted to the squat proportions of the Vantage the aero kit gives this V12 some serious presence. With its deep, punctured front wings, Plexiglas side screens and some serious looking brakes behind the alloy wheels equipped with track rubber, this V12 Vantage demands respect.

There's none of the twitchiness you might expect, the Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car feeling utterly planted and supremely composed. There's the small issue of manual gear changing, but when the gearbox is so delightfully crisp (and devoid of the ridiculously proportioned gear knob of the road car) and the pedals so perfectly positioned heel-and-toe downshifts are as easy as they come.

Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car

With entry speeds getting faster and faster, the speed this car can carry through the bends is immense. The track is damp, but the sticky wet race tyres reveal just how compromised even the best road tyres are. There's masses of grip, the traction too is incredible, so the Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car can use its prodigious power despite the conditions. It's all remarkably easy too, the aerodynamics adding to the Vantage's stability, even in slower speed corners.

The brakes are amazing; with every lap braking can be left later and pushed harder, the Vantage washing off its easily gained speed with zero fuss. Blipping the throttle while doing so and shifting down the manual 'box is a real pleasure, both physically and aurally as each flex of the foot has the V12 flaring up its revs with a glorious sound.

Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car

We always thought racing cars were edgy, tricky to drive monsters, but quite the reverse is true - indeed compared to the road version on the same track the racecar is an absolute cinch to drive fast. But then this is its natural habitat, yet the evolutionary process to allow it to work so well here is relatively straightforward. It never fails to amaze us how much additional performance can be gained by some tweaked suspension, lower weight, proper tyres and some clever aero kit. Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car is an impressive road car, but it's also an awesome racecar.

2011 Aston Martin Sports Cars DB9

The Aston Martin company has revealed their new 2011 Aston Martin sport car DB9 with new styling and some engineering and equipment upgrades. 28 June 2010, Gaydon, Warwickshire: In the most significant programme of upgrades since its world debut in 2003, Aston Martin’s sport car DB9 range has received a complete package of styling, engineering and equipment enhancements. “Improving upon what many

2011 Aston Martin Sports Cars DB9

The Aston Martin company has revealed their new 2011 Aston Martin sport car DB9 with new styling and some engineering and equipment upgrades. 28 June 2010, Gaydon, Warwickshire: In the most significant programme of upgrades since its world debut in 2003, Aston Martin’s sport car DB9 range has received a complete package of styling, engineering and equipment enhancements. “Improving upon what many consider to be one of the most beautiful sports cars in the world is a delicate exercise,” says Aston Martin.

The Aston Martin designers gave new 2011 sport car DB9 subtle enhancements in appearance including a new front bumper, new grille, a reshaped lower intake that now features a hexagonal mesh, new headlight bezels, re-styled sills, silver brake calipers, 20-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels and clear rear light lenses.

Performance comes courtesy of Aston Martin’s sport car celebrated 6.0-litre V12 engine, which develops an unchanged 470bhp and 442lb ft of torque. Mated to a choice of six-speed ‘Touchtronic’ paddle-shift automatic or six-speed H-pattern manual transmissions, the DB9 offers an intoxicating blend of effortless pace and sporting character. A top speed of 190mph and the ability to hit 60mph in just 4.6sec seal its credentials as the definitive 2+2 Grand Tourer.

Ian Minards, Aston Martin’s Product Development Director said, “The DB9 was the first sport car built at Gaydon adopting the VH architecture. It has evolved every year since, with significant changes including a power upgrade and successive reductions in CO2 emissions. The latest package of improvements goes further than ever, highlighting the DB9’s qualities as a true sporting GT and underlining its role as the backbone car of our range.”

The Aston Martin DB9 sport car is available as either Coupe or Volante (convertible) with rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox as standard or optional ‘Touchtronic 2’ six-speed automatic transmission. Production of the revised DB9 is already underway, with deliveries commencing in July. Prices start from £122,445 for the DB9 Coupe and £131,445 for the DB9 Volante.

 2011 Aston Martin Sports Cars DB9

2011 Aston Martin Sports Cars V8 Vantage N420

2011 Aston Martin released the special-edition sportscar back in 2007 to commemorate the success of its Vantage N24 racer at the Nürburgring. It packed 400 horsepower, a series of suspension tweaks and some special cosmetic touches.The 2011 N420’s sportscar powertrain is the standard Vantage affair, coming with the standard 420 horsepower V-8 engine. Successor to the special edition V8 Vantage

2011 Aston Martin Sports Cars V8 Vantage N420

2011 Aston Martin released the special-edition sportscar back in 2007 to commemorate the success of its Vantage N24 racer at the Nürburgring. It packed 400 horsepower, a series of suspension tweaks and some special cosmetic touches.

The 2011 N420’s sportscar powertrain is the standard Vantage affair, coming with the standard 420 horsepower V-8 engine. Successor to the special edition V8 Vantage N400 of 2007, the 2011 Aston Martin sportscar V8 Vantage N420 is based upon the standard 4.7-litre, 420bhp, 180mph V8 Vantage and is available as a Coupe or Roadster, and with a six-speed manual or optional Sportshift automated manual transmission.

The 2011 Vantage N420 sportscar draws inspiration from the company's experiences at the Nürburgring 24-hour race. In the 2006 running of the annual Nürburgring endurance classic amongst a field of mostly motorsport homologated cars, Aston Martin entered a near-standard, road-registered V8 Vantage.

2011 Aston Martin sportscar used carbon fiber on various parts of the car to help drop the weight by 60 pounds, which while not a lot is still a step in the right direction. The suspension gets the Sports Package that upgrades the Vantage’s springs, shocks and anti-roll bars to give the car better road holding.

The 2011 N420 also features special 10-spoke alloy wheels finished in gloss black, black mesh grille inserts, a sport exhaust system, the Sports Pack suspension (which is merely optional on the regular Vantage) and a range of racing-inspired paint combinations. The N420 sportscar will be available as a coupe or a roadster with the choice of a manual or paddle-shift transmission.

The 2011 N420 sportscar will make its U.S. debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August. Orders may be placed starting this month, with deliveries to begin in the fourth quarter of 2010. Pricing starts at $133,350 for the coupe and $146,350 for the Roadster, less than $10K more than their non-N420 counterparts.

2010 Aston Martin Sports Car Rapide Nurburgring Race Car

The Aston Martin Rapide Nurburgring race car has been unveiled today and the company says it will make its debut in the 24-Hour event that will take place on 15/16 May 2010. Previously, Aston Martin has competed in the Nurburgring 24-Hour race with the V8 Vantage and the V12 Vantage. for this year, the British brand goes four-door.

Aston Martin Rapide

For all those who thought Aston Martin had somehow gone soft by offering a four-door saloon, the famed British marque plans to prove the new Rapide is no slouch by entering it in the 38th ADAC Nurburgring 24-hour race on May 15-16. Piloting the vehicle win the grueling race will be none other than Aston Martin’s CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez, who at age 66 can still give the young guns a run for their money. Aston, with Bez at the wheel, has won top honors in the race’s production-based SP8 category for the past two years with versions of the Vantage coupe.

The Aston Martin Rapide Nurburgring will been entered in the race as company's Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez considers this event represents the ultimate durability test for any sports car.

The Aston Martin Rapide Nurburgring is extremely close to the production car. The only differences between the Aston Martin Rapide Nurburgring and the production model include the removal of interior trim to save weight, re-tuned suspension and slick tires.

PRESS RELEASE:

Aston Martin Rapide to contest gruelling Nürburgring 24-hour Race

Gaydon, Warwickshire 6 April 2010. Aston Martin will return to the starting grid of the legendary Nordschleife circuit for the fifth consecutive year at the 38th ADAC Nürburgring 24-hour race on 15/16 May 2010 with the marque's new four-door sports car; the Rapide.

Further underlining the sporting credentials of Aston Martin's latest model, the Rapide will compete in the demanding 24-hour race - as has been the case with other recent Aston Martin road cars, the V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage. The Rapide will compete in near-standard specification apart from mandatory changes required to compete in this most demanding of endurance races and will be driven by a team of engineers from the company's Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, England.

Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez who will lead the Rapide driver team, explained: "This race represents the ultimate final engineering durability test for any sports car - it subjects the car to the toughest possible assessment under public scrutiny. "The Rapide has the capability to carry four people in comfort but first and foremost it is a sports car and we will subject it to the same tests we would our other sports cars. We already have a proven track record at the Nürburgring racing our road cars with limited modification and in recent years we have enjoyed success in winning the SP8 class both in 2008 and 2009."

The Rapide race car will be close to production standard with only essential race safety modifications, interior trim removed to reduce weight, re-tuned suspension and will run on slick tyres designed for track use. The Aston Martin Rapide encapsulates the values of Aston Martin in pure four-door sports car form with an unrivalled combination of performance, comfort, craftsmanship and exceptionally elegant design. Since the Rapide's original premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 the car has gone on to win the widespread approval of customers and media commentators alike, prompting strong global demand for the car. Deliveries of the Rapide commence later this month through Aston Martin's 125-strong global dealership network.

The Rapide race car will be joined by a V12 Vantage - again modified only slightly for racing - which in 2009 swept to a class win on its competitive race debut. The near production standard V12 Vantage - which finished in 21st place overall last year - saw off competition from a field of largely specialist race cars in the SP8 class to claim an impressive debut win.

Further details on the V12 Vantage and the full driver line-ups for both Aston Martin entries plus details on a number of customer teams competing in the race will follow in the coming weeks.

The 38th ADAC Nürburgring 24 hour race will take place on 15/16 May 2010.

2010 Aston Martin DBS Edo Competition Luxurious Sports Car

Edo Competition Aston Martin DBS is a result of a modification carried out by Edo Competition Motorsport for the 12-cylinder Aston Martin that already produces 517 horsepower and has a top speed of more than 300 km/h (186 mph). Improving and underlining the elegance and beauty of this British triumph and strengthening its sporting character was the goal declared by Edo competition.

2010 Aston Martin DBS Edo Competition

The first step taken by Edo Competition was improving the power output. The DBS’s engine control unit was modified via software recalibration, then supported by a new high performance exhaust system, and was fitted with special catalytic converters and high flow air filters. As a result, the DBS’s power output was increased from 517 hp and 570 Nm (420 ft-lb) to 550 hp and 600 Nm (442 ft-lb), an enough power to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds and continue on to a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph).

The high performance exhaust system, which was specially designed for the DBS, incorporates butterfly valves allowing it to produce a fantastically rich and sonorous sound. They further help increase the British luxury sports car coupe`s power and torque output. The exhaust comes with a programmable control system that monitors backpressure inside the exhaust and opens the 70 mm butterfly valves when a pre-determined level of backpressure is exceeded. 

The unique advantage of this system is that it provides good torque at low engine speeds without sacrificing top end horsepower. The exhaust system is made from stainless steel and the chromed exhaust tips accentuate the elegant design. The driver can adjust the sound of the DBS at any time using a remote control.

Dealing with the levels of grip, Edo competition offers a new wheel design, a set of 21 inch racing wheels. The three-piece wheels come with stainless steel outer rims and the customer can choose the stock tire dimensions

Further, Edo competition has developed a new high performance brake system, 405 mm rotors with 6-piston monoblock calipers and performance brake pads for the front and 380 mm rotors with 6-piston monoblock calipers and performance brake pads for the rear, both including braided stainless steel brake lines.

As with all edo competition models, we set no limit to our customers` imaginations. Special interiors or lavish leather upholstery, individual requests are accommodated and executed with quality.

The modifications of this Edo competition Aston Martin DBS are all carried out at Edo competition Motorsport GmbH in Ahlen, Germany.