1996 Aston Martin V8 Sportsman estate

Some Aston Martin purists might have thought this estate conversion – one of a pair built for Swiss brothers – was a step too far, but it merely continued a tradition going back to the 1960s. It had been refurbished at Newport Pagnell over the past three years and was a delight body- and interiorwise (the green leather seats were fabulous). Not cheap, but fantastic.