AUTUMN / WINTER 2015 Nicholas Mee & Co’s world of Aston Martin • ISSUE 21

fullbore
MEE
SPEAK
Autumn / Winter 2015
Tradition has it that during the winter months we in the classic car arena satisfy our passion by
attending shows, auctions and awards dinners. This winter is no exception, with the Bonhams
annual Bond Street sale just around the corner in December, then the Aston Martin Owners Cluborganised
Walter Hayes lecture and dinner in January, and Paris Rétromobile and the London
Classic Car show the month after.
This year’s Walter Hayes lecture at the splendid Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall is to be given
by none other than yours truly. It’s both an honour and a daunting task, and I’ll be addressing 150
or more AM enthusiasts on the subject of selling Aston Martins in the ’70s and ’80s when I was
cutting my teeth at AM’s London showrooms. The reality of having accepted the challenge hangs
over me like the sword of Damocles, with my only hope being that one or two of our readers
might join me on the night – some friendly faces in the crowd, as it were! Anyone interested, book
via: http://www.amht.org.uk/t/WHML
Talking of defining moments, as scandals go the VW one is pretty big. I suspect the outcome, while
no doubt costly to the burghers of Saxony, will do much to speed up the proliferation of hybrid
and/or electric-powered cars (as well as autonomous ones) on our roads in the near future. No
doubt good for the planet, these wonders of modern technology are likely to offer very little by
way of driving pleasure. Speculating over this recently only reinforced the belief of how spoilt we
have been with our cars in the past, particularly those providing a stimulating experience. Being
able to slide a car through a bend, steer it on the throttle, get a tingle from the exhaust note and
even to raise a chirp! from the driven wheels at the least, remains a pleasure. In essence, gaining
some enjoyment from controlling a motor car is becoming a thing of the past, with electronic
driver aids and even electronic exhaust notes removing that connection with reality.
It’s all a shame, but maybe an incentive to acquire an ‘old school’ car from the past, one that gives
entertainment increasingly unobtainable in machines of the future. Progress? Yes, as long as you
are not looking for a car to drive, more a car to arrive in. As far as the next generation of cars is
concerned, I’m not sure where the satisfaction will be, but time will tell.
Elsewhere in this issue of FullBore, we are delighted to bring to your attention a superb selection
of rare and exciting cars. Fully prepared and serviced in our workshops to the highest standards,
and presented in our West London showrooms, there really is a car for everyone. From DB4s to
DB9s, Vanquishs, Vantages and even a rare four-door Lagonda Rapide, perfect for that family
outing in a classic. In fact, we’ve even launched a new website to showcase them. As ever,
feedback from our readers is most welcome, but meanwhile, wherever you are in the world and
whatever your plans, we hope that you enjoy your festive season and we look forward to hearing
from you and seeing many of you in 2016.
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