Aston Martin stars at the London Classic Car Show
• Unique sports cars from across the years are set to thrill show-goers
• Highlights include DB7 Prototype; Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake; rare DB6 Mk2 Volante and modern Vantage
• DB4 Convertible celebrates its place in The Italian Job
Aston Martin is taking centre stage at the upcoming London Classic Car Show with a rich and varied line-up of sports cars new and old.
The world renowned British luxury sports car maker is once again promising visitors to the popular event at the ExCeL facility in London’s Docklands a lineup of historic models from its rich 106-year history alongside an example of its current range in the shape of the new Vantage sports car.
An eclectic collection of rare Aston Martin cars from across the years will be on show at various locations around the show hall. For some, the standout car might be the rare DB4 Convertible being displayed as part of the event’s celebration of 50 years of classic British motoring caper The Italian Job. Famously driven by Charlie Croker (Sir Michael Caine, CBE) it is rumored that the actual DB4 Convertible in the film even survived its near-death experience when it was pushed off an alpine road.
For other visitors, the star might be taken from the trio of Aston Martin DB7 Prototype, DB9 and V12 Vanquish that are being displayed as part of the show’s ‘Icon Award’ celebration marking the towering achievements of former Aston Martin designer Ian Callum.
If not one of those, then perhaps the title of show star will go to the Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake – one of just 99 being built – which is set to take pride of place on the Aston Martin Owners’ Club (AMOC) stand at ExCeL.
Many other highlights from the Aston Martin heritage model selection are also going to be present. From a price point of view, at least, one of the stars must surely be a cherished example of the unquestionably elegant DB6 Mk2 Volante. Built for little over a year between July 1969 and November 1970 and with only 38 examples ever made – one of which remains in the ownership of HRH The Prince of Wales to this day – the car is a genuine rarity.
The example on show at ExCeL is presented in its original colour combination of Goodwood Green with a Beige interior, a permutation that was meticulously crafted during a full restoration by Aston Martin Works. It is one of only a handful of DB6 Mk2 Volantes to have been restored at its original birth place in Newport Pagnell, and is presented in a condition commensurate with its £1.5m price tag.
Alongside the classic appeal of the DB6 Mk2 Volante is a model that represents the zenith of carmaking at Newport Pagnell – a V12 Vanquish S.
Unveiled in Paris in 2004, the ‘S’ edition of the already acclaimed V12 Vanquish featured an increase in engine power (up from 460 bhp to 520 bhp) and revised gear and back axle ratios. Top speed was quoted as being in excess of 200 mph, making it one of the fastest Aston Martin road cars then built.
The Tungsten Silver car on
show in London and offered for sale at £149,950 is one of the last of the breed to be hand built at the Aston Martin factory in Buckinghamshire before production ended there in July 2007 and moved to the brand’s current global HQ in Gaydon, Warwickshire.
Completing the heritage car showing this year are two examples of Aston Martin in its 70s pomp: a 1974 AMV8 Saloon (£129,950) and a 1978 AMV8 Volante (£225,000).
Meanwhile enthusiasts for contemporary Aston Martin models will be thrilled to see an example of the brand’s new Vantage – modern day successor to that ‘70s brute – also on show at ExCeL.
Paul Spires, President of Aston Martin Works, the brand’s centre of heritage operations worldwide, said: “The London Classic Car Show is always an early high point of the classic car year in the UK.
“It’s a great opportunity for visitors to see some of the most exciting and exotic cars from across the decades, and I’m very pleased that Aston Martin is once again front and centre at this enjoyable and engaging event.”
The London Classic Car Shows opens at 16.30 GMT on Thursday 14 February and runs until the evening of Sunday 17 February.