Last of its kind

The incredible new DB11 might be the best car Aston Martin has made in decades, but the Aston Martin we keep dreaming about is this one: the old V12 Vantage S with a 7-speed manual gearbox. It isn’t perfect: the gearbox could be sweeter, and the interior is showing its age. But the engine produces an intoxicating combination of speed and sound that will haunt your daydreams. It’s a difficult car to drive well, which means it’s rewarding when you get it right. That it could be the last V12-powered car with a proper stick shift only make us want this car more.