Forgetter BeForgotten - Aston Martin Owners Club Victoria

AREA REPRESENTATIVE 

& PRESIDENT 

SECRETARY TREASURER & 

MEMBERSHIP 

SECRETARY 

EVENTS 

CO-ORDINATOR 

Running AMOC Oct 2012.doc Page 1 of 26 

EDITOR 

RUNNING AMOC 

Jason Vochala Richard Shenfield Lynton Mathews Tony Smith Chris Shilton 

4th Floor, 124 Exhibition Street, 

Melbourne, Vic. 3000 

9 Rennison Street 

Beaumaris, Vic. 3193 

C/O J. Vochala 

4th Floor 

124 Exhibition Street 

Melbourne, Vic. 3000 

PO Box 317, 

Camberwell, Vic. 3124 

Phone: 03 9654 6670 BH Phone: 03 95896004AH Phone: 03 9817 2698 AH Phone: 03 9819 1015 

AH 

Email: javochala@bigpond.com Email: 

Email: 

Email: 

rshenfield@bigpond.com amocvicmem@iinet.net.au akns007@yahoo.com.au 

Volume 12, Number 3 October 2012 

CONTENTS 

PO Box 37, 

Coldstream. Vic. 

3770 

Phone: 0428 378 938 

Anytime 

Email: 

cshilton@genesis.net.au 

Diary of events Page 2 

Pres says Page 3 

A European Motoring Smorgasbord; Aston Flavoured Page 4 - 9 

Coys' 'Spirit of Motoring' Sale, 13 October 2012: Preview – Page 10 

Vale - Diana (Davison) Gaze Page 11 - 13 

Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante – Brought back to life Page 14 - 15 

For Sale: The most valuable Aston Martin in the world - 

(No, no not THAT one) Page 16 - 17 

One Piece at a Time... 1:1 DBR1 Kit Page 18 

Driven to Le Mans: Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Roadster Page 19 - 22 

For sale Page 23 

Forgetter BeForgotten Page 24 

Installing Husband Page 25 

Parting shot Page 26 

Published Quarterly by The Aston Martin Owners Club Victoria Register Incorporated, 

PO Box 37, Coldstream, Vic. 3770. 

Contributors Please Note 

Inclusions for next edition should be emailed to the Editor by the second Monday of the month (March, June, 

September and December) to the email address cshilton@genesis.net.au to ensure publication. Articles preferred 

in MS Word, or text format. The articles & views published in Running AMOC are of the authors & are not those 

necessarily of the Editor or Committee of Aston Martin Owners Club. Permission to reproduce any of the contents 

of this magazine should be sought through the Editor as a courtesy to the authors and artists.

Sunday in October Richard & Wendy's Sunday run 

Further details to follow 

Friday /Saturday 19th 

and 20th October 

Tuesday 13 th 

November 

Sunday 25th 

November 

Tuesday 4 th December 

DIARY OF EVENTS 

A Stately Affair MK11 

Weekend run to Mildura with our South Australian friends. Staying 

at the Inlander Resort in Mildura. Further details to follow 

Monthly Meeting 

Dinner Meeting. Venue- "The Bistro Function Room" at 

The Emerald Hotel. 415 Clarendon Street, S/Melb. 6.30 pm. 

AMOC Vic Reg Annual Club Concours. 

Venue: Rippon Lea Estate. 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick. 

Details to follow. 

Monthly Meeting 

Dinner Meeting. Venue- "The Bistro Function Room" at 

The Emerald Hotel. 415 Clarendon Street, S/Melb. 6.30 pm. 

For further information please contact 

The Area Representative and President: Jason Vochala on 

03 9654 6670 Business Hours or email javochala@bigpond.com 

Running AMOC Oct 2012.doc Page 2 of 26

Pres Says. 

Well this maybe the final issue of Running AMOC for 2012. 

At the time of writing, there are only a few days until we motor off to Mildura for a 

Stately Affair Mk2. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the inaugural event last year 

in Mount Gambier, but like the rest of us I am looking forward to meeting up with our 

fellow Aston Martin owners from South Australia. I understand that we even have 

some visitors from NSW. 

Richard Shenfield has kindly offered to organise a post event tour for those who do 

not need to rush back to work. 

The next weekend is the RACV Motorclassica at the Royal Exhibition Building, Mike 

and Maree’s DB5 will be on display, and there is even a vintage style fashion fair as 

part of the fun, so go and say hello to Bruna too! 

The official entry form for the National in Canberra has been released and is on the 

website. The National 8-11 February and the post national Tour 12-16 February. 

Our Christmas concours is fast approaching, Neil has the event well in check and yes 

there will be club wine available. 

Club fees are due in January, please be prepared and send them to Lyn. 

Thank you to the new committee members, Peter, Lyn, Richard, Chris, Tony and 

Barry. And thank you also to the immediate past president Neil who I have often 

called upon for advice. 

Chris Green of Trivett Aston Martin kindly invited the club to a special launch of the 

new Vanquish and it is indeed a very beautiful car, maybe they will lend it to me on 

one of their drive days, here’s hoping. 

I hope everyone enjoyed the Sunday Drives, Mike’s and Maree’s 20-40 Run to 

Watson’s Creek and Bruna’s and mine to Blackwood via the back roads. 

We will need to construct a new calendar for 2013, any ideas or volunteers for club 

runs will be greatly appreciated. 

Jason 

PRES SAYS 


A European Motoring Smorgasbord, Aston Flavoured 

Words and Photo’s by Roger and Jay Farebrother. 

We did not intend to make this year’s trip to Europe a motoring related visit, but 

somehow we managed a fair number of motoring events. 

It started in early July in the UK. Staying with my brother Terry we attended an 

AMOC Area 10 outing to a Polo Meeting at Great Windsor Park. A minor event by 

UK standards, about 50 Astons attended. Weather wet and cool, polo half exciting, 

picnic lunch enjoyable. 

On to northern France to stay with Tim and Annemarie Lewis in their old farmhouse. 

We drove down to Le Mans for the Le Mans Classic weekend in July. Tim and 

Annemarie opted to camp (we were the support vehicle because their DB7 Volante 

just does not have the room for a full set of camping gear) while we had arranged 

through Jonathan Moorhouse of the UK AMOC Area 6 to join their gang at an Arnage 

hotel they had booked. 

We got to drive the public road section prior to closure for the racing, including the 

Mulsanne straight. Sitting out in local cafes was great fun and front row viewing of 

cruising classics. 

The weather was appalling but this did not spoil our enjoyment of the fantastic classic 

racing weekend. There were classic cars from everywhere, by the thousand. Huge 

visitor support, on many acres of camping. 

Top of Mulsanne Straight, Le Mans with Area 6 cars 

At the circuit, static and racing, there were 8,500 cars. To participate the car must be 

of the era 1923 to 1979 and of the original model and specification as actual Le Mans 

24 Heures racers. Many were the cars that had actually raced. 


It is held in day and night races of short duration, about 45 mins each, 6 grids from 6 

periods, a total of 450 cars. The start procedure was a “false” Le Mans start of drivers 

running across to the cars and tearing away for a warm up lap, followed by a formal 

rolling start behind a pace car. 

Some 200 car clubs were present. AMOC had a club area inside the circuit and the 

Club Ulster was on display along with many member cars. We were a little jealous of 

the adjacent Jaguar club area that seemed to have better catering and facility for 

members. However a great weekend and Tim and I got to enjoy some of the night 

racing while the ladies rested. 

Classic Astons racing included an Ulster, 2litre Speed Model, DB2, DB2/4, DB3, 

DB4GT, the project car DP212, and of course a DBR1, two of which took out the 1/2 

Le Mans win in 1959. 

This was my first return to Le Mans since my youth in 1966 when the Ford GT40’s 

were predominate against the Porsches and Ferraris. Strange to now return and find 

the GT40 qualifying as one of the classics; I wonder what that makes me? 

We went on from there to Brittany and the Atlantic port of Brest for a week long 

International Maritime Festival held every 4 years featuring 2,500 classic vessels from 

all over the World. Quite a contrast to classic cars, and again a wonderful event. 

Once back in the UK we concentrated on family and friends. Cars more in the back of 

our minds, however I made an interesting visit to the AMOC Barn in August courtesy 

of my brother Terry who is a Trustee of the AMHT as well as an active member of 

Area 10. 

The Barn with A3, Ulster, Lagonda and AMR1 

The Trust Lagonda was due for a MOT so yours truly was co-opted to drive it to a 

nearby testing garage. I can tell you it’s a yank-tank to drive and you would need to 

be an aficionado to own one. 


The Barn was undergoing some improvements aimed at the coming 2013 AML 

centenary celebrations. I must say I tend to agree with others about the Barn. It is 

inadequate for purpose. 

The AMOC and AMHT need a larger and more suitable and accessible facility for 

administering and demonstrating the Aston Martin history and as a club base. For all 

that it was a fascinating visit and I was free to dig and delve in all things Aston. 

In early September we attended the Autumn AMOC Concours at Boughton House 

near Kettering, Northamptonshire. Once again poor weather but I enjoyed meeting 

John Goldsmith, the Club Chairman and Marc Aylott newly appointed as Club 

Secretary, and many others who work and help with the AMOC. 

This event was not so well supported but again all Trust cars were there, A3 (the 

oldest Aston), the Ulster and that dreadful Lagonda Wedge. 

Even more exciting was the presence of DP214 the second of those three special 

project cars which are just the best Astons ever. A real treat. 

Aston DP214 at Boughton House AMOC Autumn Concours 

And lastly, after a delightful cruise on Queen Mary 2 to Portugal and Spain, we were 

back in the UK for the Goodwood Classic weekend in mid-September. Just stunning. 

In contrast to the LM Classic it had that extra flavour of period dressing. Great fun. 

Being the annual Battle of Britain weekend we were treated to the Memorial Flight 

overhead with the only flying Lancaster bomber and five Spitfires circulating at very 

low altitude. Stirring stuff. Spitfires, Hurricanes and others were on display on the 

ground inside the circuit, Goodwood being the original Westhampnett RAF airbase 

during WW2 and still a grass strip. It is the service road built around the wartime 

airfield that became the racing circuit created by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon 

after the war, due much to the suggestion of Tony Gaze who flew out of there as a 

Spitfire pilot, and his legacy is remembered in the Tony Gaze Building, which is now 

the Press centre. 


Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Lancaster and Spitfires, over Goodwood 

Spitfires, Hurricane, Austin 7 and Bugatti at Goodwood Revival 

Again Goodwood is classic racing and attended by thousands. Aston Martin Works 

Service had a stand to promote heritage vehicles (try £359,000 for a full restoration of 

a DB6 barn find – they’re still looking for a sponsor – any takers?) Elsewhere a 

company was selling DBR1 replicas, beautiful! And if you felt short of period style 

you could find any number of stalls selling retro clothes and goods. 


Three DBR1's, three DB3S's and some at Goodwood Revival 

I feasted my eyes on any number of wonderful classic racing machines but the line up 

of famous Astons were just astounding. In one line were three DBR1’s, two DB3S’s 

and a special DB3. Elsewhere was DBR4/4 now owned by Hubert Fabri but once the 

Lex Davison car here in Australia, four or five DB4GT’s, one DB4 Zagato, and the 

special project cars DP212 and DP214. Staggering. 

DBR1/2 at Le Mans Classic 


The inaugural Settrington Cup for Austin J40 pedal cars was another highlight, a 

sedate race for kids with a frenetic racing commentary by Murray Walker. 

Brace of DB4GT's at Le Mans Classic 

Must mention the dress style. Half of all present were dressed somehow in period 

style. From US Army style, RAF uniform and old flyers, British coppers, char ladies 

(complete with mops and buckets), lots of seamed stockings and full petticoat skirts, 

and so on. And for once a sunny and hot day! 

So ended our European holiday. For the record we spent 3 months over there so this 

smorgasbord of motoring was but a small but very enjoyable part. 

PS. Forgot to mention, I got to drive a DB7 from London to South Wales and back for 

a family wedding. I drove at the legal limit of 70 mph on the motorways all the way 

and got passed by virtually everyone, often at 10-20mph more. They seem to have no 

speed discipline over there and the police care nothing. It’s nice to be home. RF. 


Coys' 'Spirit of Motoring' at Ascot Sale, 13 October 

2012: Preview 

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Fixedhead Coupe: £85,000 - 95,000 

While the headline lot from Coys’ spring sale at Ascot wore a familiar winged 

emblem, the big-money stars of the upcoming autumn fixture at the 

same venue boast the rather more predictable Prancing Horse. 

However, while Ferraris are likely to command the highest hammer 

prices, it’s a DB2/4 – resplendent in its bare aluminium coachwork – 

that’s the talk of the Classic Driver office. 

Of course, the owner might choose a paint scheme for the bodywork, but what 

better way to stand out in a European road rally (for which this DB2/4 is 

catalogued as ‘ideally suitable’) than to leave it in its current, honest state? It’s 

also benefitted from a recent interior overhaul (comfort is a high priority on 

these long-distance jaunts after all), making its £85,000 – 95,000 estimate 

seem all the more reasonable. 


Diana (Davison) Gaze 

1925 - 2012 

For those AMOC members who are old enough to remember I thought it worthwhile 

to write something about Diana who passed away on 5 th August this year at the age of 

86. 

Diana has been described as the matriarch of one of Australia’s prominent racing 

families and indeed of Australian motor sport. She was the widow of Lex Davison, 

four times Australian GP winner, and mother of motor sport competitors Jon, Chris 

and Richard Davison, and grandmother of contemporary racing stars Alex, Will and 

James Davison. 

Diana married Lex Davison in 1946, and they had seven children. Sadly Lex died 

aged 42 during racing practice at Sandown Melbourne in 1965. In 1977 Diana married 

Tony Gaze, who survives her. 

Lex and Diana Davison on the Aston Martin pit wall at Le Mans 1961 

(Lex competed in DB4 GT Zagato - 2 VEV) 


Both of Diana’s husbands, Lex and Tony, were privateer racing drivers and both had 

connections with Aston Martin, along with many other marques. In their racing 

careers they not only raced alongside each other but when Tony gave up racing he 

sold several of his cars to Lex. 

Lex Davison owned and raced the Aston Martin open wheel 2½ litre Formula racing 

cars DBR4/1 and DBR4/4 between 1960 and 1963. He also drove for John Ogier’s 

Essex Racing Stable both DB4GT and DB4 GT Zagato at Le Mans, Silverstone and 

Aintree in 1961. He was an honorary member of AMOC. 

Diana Gaze reunited with her DB4 in May 2011 

It should be noted that most of Lex’s racing success including all of his AGP wins 

came with other cars, HWM, Ferrari and Cooper Climax. 

Lex and Diana bought DB4/258/R new in early 1960 and after Lex’s death Diana kept 

the car until 1972. She sold it to Morris Hodgson who owned it for nearly 25 years 

before his death in a motoring accident in 1996 following which I acquired the car as 

the third owner here in Melbourne. 

Tony Gaze was a Spitfire pilot during WW2, awarded the DFC three times, flying out 

of RAF Westhampnett with Douglas Bader’s famous Tangmere Wing. After the war 

Tony inspired the Duke of Richmond and Gordon to convert Westhampnett into the 

Goodwood Racing Circuit. 

Tony owned the ex-Aston Team Car LM10 during the war and later bought and raced 

DB3’s and part founded the Kangaroo Racing Stable with three DB3S’s. Jack 

Brabham was one of the team drivers. Tony was also the first Australian to drive in a 

Formula One race. 


Diana was a competent and competitive driver in her own right in rally and hill climb, 

holding for many years the women’s record at the Rob Roy Hillclimb. An enthusiastic 

supporter of motor sport generally she and Tony were patrons of the Australian Motor 

Sport Foundation’s “Lex Davison Society”, which helps young drivers to develop 

racing careers overseas. 

Tony and Diana Gaze with Roger and Jay and the DB4 

Diana in later years undertook the restorations of a 1929 and a 1934 Alfa Romeo and 

drove one of them in the inaugural Targa Tasmania in 1992 and again in 1993. 

She also kept and competed in until recently the Davison family 1928 Alfa 6C bought 

new by Lex’s father. 

In recent years I have had the enormous pleasure of meeting Tony and Diana Gaze 

and appreciated their extensive help in writing the stories of my DB4 (AM Quarterly 

Spring 2010) and of the Davison and Gaze family association for Aston 13 (2011). 

Vale Diana. 

Roger Farebrother 


1965 Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante - Brought 

back to life 

We spoke to Peter Stratford of Goodwood Green Classics recently about 

a car he was bringing back from South Africa for restoration in the UK. 

It turns out the car has a fascinating history and the whole project 

makes interesting reading for those brave enough to attempt a 

restoration and, in effect, to bring a car back to life. 

One of the things that makes it so interesting is the availability of Aston Martin 

Works Service records for the car from new. 

"This car (Chassis Number DBVC 2330/R) was sold new on the 25th October 

1965 and was originally supplied in Pacific Blue (not the current colour) with 

Beige Leather Trim. Fog lamps were fitted as extras and the car had an 

automatic transmission. 

"It seemed to spend a lot of time at the factory almost straight away and I am 

sure that this car was the subject of many a heated exchange between the 

original owner and the Aston Martin Factory and Service Department. At only 

568 miles a new rear axle was fitted, about two weeks after it drove out of the 

showroom. By the 7th December 1965 the car had covered only 978 miles and 

went back to the service department for another axle to be fitted and some 

minor service work. Problems obviously persisted and on the 8th January 1966 

the car was returned to have a replacement gearbox fitted. Just in case, another 

rear axle was fitted at the same time! By March, things were still not going well 

and the car went back once again. With 2301 miles on the clock, another rear 

axle was fitted. On the 4th April the car was once again at the works. According 

to the service sheet a second replacement gearbox fitted and a new torque 

converter. The car then seems to have behaved itself for a period of about 14 

months until 4th December 1967. This time a new engine was fitted, although 

the record does not show why. This engine, number 400/2361 is still with the 

car. 


"The vehicle was then sent to Capetown South Africa and we believe it was still 

with the first owner. There is a slight gap in the history as no records have been 

found to confirm any history or work until 1971. 

"The car appeared advertised for sale in the Cape Argus Press and was spotted 

by Engineer and car enthusiast Jerry Welz. There was a slight complication 

however in that the car was offered for sale without an engine by the official 

receiver. Jerry wasted no time and his offer on the car was accepted. Jerry, well 

known in local motoring circles, had previously seen an Aston Martin 4 litre 

engine at a local garage where it had been sent for repair but never collected. A 

deal was struck and with both parties satisfied, the garage finally got paid for 

their work and Jerry now had an engine for his new project. 

"The engine of course, turned-out to be the original engine, which for one 

reason or another had become separated from the car. Jerry immediately 

started work to put the car back together and began by rebuilding the engine 

just to ensure it met his high standards. The best laid plans often give way to 

more pressing needs and with two growing sons, a business to run and all that 

sunny South African weather, the Aston project became sidelined and the years 

slipped by while the Aston patiently waited in the garage. 

"I first spoke to Jerry in 1998 when a passing enthusiast mentioned the car and 

also that some parts were needed to complete the project and suggested I may 

be able to help. Parts were dispatched and various phone calls made to discuss 

technical problems. I finally went to visit Capetown in March 2001, had a good 

look at the car and discussed its future with Jerry, who by now also had at least 

four other cars to complete. A deal was discussed and an agreement reached. 

The car was to return to the England after 33 years in the sun. It was finally 

loaded into a container in March 2002 and was brought to our workshop in 

London. I hope to show Jerry the car complete and running and who knows, he 

may come and check-out our workmanship and test drive the car." 

Editor's note: Whilst the early reliability history of these cars may seem 

frightening the standards achieved by reputable restorers nowadays ensure a 

car that is in effect 'better than new'. Not only modern conveniences such as 

power steering (I know Peter has an original Factory set up available for this 

car), air conditioning and FM stereo systems can be added discreetly but also 

modern rust proofing techniques should ensure the old chassis rot is a thing of 

the past. 'Works Service', run by the Factory at Newport Pagnell, is currently 

restoring a DB6, with a famous past owner in the pop music business, with a 

coated chassis treated in exactly the same way as production DB7 and 

Vanquish. 

They do call Aston Martin a 'Car for Life'. Photos: Peter Stratford 


03/09/2012 

For Sale: The most valuable Aston Martin in the world 

(no, no not THAT one) 

The collectors’ car community was shaken and stirred when the man 

behind so many multi-million-pound transactions, John Collins of 

Talacrest, announced the sale of DBR1/2, the winning car at the 1959 

Le Mans 24 Hours. 

The pale metallic green Aston, chassis DBR1/2, has been in the same ownership 

for many years. In period, its drivers won at Spa, the Nürburgring (a 

magnificent effort by Brooks/Cunningham-Reid in 1957) and at Goodwood, 

where Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks clinched the World Championship for the 

British marque in 1959. 

But the car will be forever remembered for providing Aston Martin with its muchlonged-for 

first overall at Le Mans in 1959, when driven by Carroll Shelby and 

Roy Salvadori. As an aside, DBR1/2 had already competed in the 1957 and 1958 

French 24-hour events, failing to finish on both occasions. And, just for good 

measure, it was entered once again in 1960, finishing 9th overall. 


Since then, it’s been a regular at historic race meetings worldwide piloted in 

fine fashion by top drivers such as Richard Attwood, Peter Hardman, Gregor 

Fisken and Tony Dron. One of just five DBR1s built – and very much the pick of 

the bunch, with its one-of-a-kind Le Mans-winning history – whether we ever 

know what DBR1/2 eventually sells for, it will undoubtedly be the most valuable 

Aston Martin ever sold. And, at only just under Ferrari 250 GTO level, it will also be 

on the shortlist of that old favourite, the “most expensive car in the world”. Beat 

that, Mr Bond. Text: Steve Wakefield Photos: Talacrest / Classic Driver 


07/08/2012 

One Piece at a Time... 1:1 DBR1 Kit 

This will take a few tubes of glue. Hertfordshire-based company Evanta 

has produced the ultimate scale model Aston Martin. It’s a one-to-one 

replica of the famous DBR1. 

Evanta, located just a 30-minute drive from the Classic Driver offices, makes 

faithful replicas of both the immortal Zagato-bodied DB4GT and the Sports Car 

World Championship-winning DBR1. The latter provided the British company’s 

only win at the Le Mans 24 Hours when driven by Roy Salvadori and Carroll 

Shelby in 1959. 

As an alternative to a fully functioning recreation, one lucky buyer can 

purchase the faithful replica in ‘kit’ form, with all components attached to a 

‘plastic sprue’ in the manner of Airfix kits of the 1960s. 

No painting is needed, and the 6.35m x 3.30m construction also features the 

well-known light green, houndstooth check seats, a Moto-Lita wood-rimmed 

steering wheel and a dash complete with Smiths dials and gauges. 

It even has a replica of the Le Mans winner’s trophy and a cap signed by 

Shelby and Salvadori, both of whom died earlier this year. 

The model will be offered by Bonhams at its 15 September Goodwood Revival 

sale. Estimate: £20,000 – 30,000. 

Text: Steve Wakefield Photos: Evanta Motor Company 


Driven to Le Mans: Aston Martin V8 Vantage S 

Roadster 

“A safe car for a journey on fast, unknown roads,” was one conclusion 

we reached having driven Aston’s latest V8 Vantage S in Spain earlier this year. The 

car impressed on the track, but how would it behave on a real life 

journey, to Le Mans and back? 

The ‘plop’ of Michelin maps on the passenger seat late Thursday evening was the 

yin to the 04:00 alarm’s yang the following morning. A solo drive, to and from 

the great 24-hour race in France, with just the Friday away from the office, results in a 

punishing schedule. In all honesty, the latest V8 Vantage S, with its more 

focused suspension, bucket seats and quicker steering than standard wasn’t the 

ideal car for such an early start. 

Terrible road surfaces, closed and semi-closed motorways, radar-controlled 

speed restrictions and mostly lorry traffic at such hours made it hard going. But, 

once on the final stretch to the Eurotunnel, driving into the rising sun, Bang & 

Olufsen my only companion and the car ticking over in 7th gear... you know... 

things were on the up. 

Ah, La Belle France with its magnificent autoroutes– the world’s finest motorway 

system – how we Brits love you. It’s a long, two-legged stretch to Le Mans from 


Calais. Rouen is the interruption, so mile-after-mile of cruising is interrupted by 

the now customary ‘Le Mans Friday’ jams through the Normandy city. 

The new car’s extra (7th) gear, coupled with a reduced final drive and remapped 

motor bring out the very best in it, and cruising at the 130km/h mark 

(the French national limit, 80mph or near enough, around 3250rpm) there’s 

little noise in the cabin. The Sport button has yet to be deployed, as economy 

and everyday usability is uppermost right now. The first fill-up comes in Rouen, 

239 miles from home and the average works out at around 20mpg – a figure the 

car maintains throughout the weekend. Not bad, not bad at all, although in 

‘super-economy’ automatic mode Aston reckons figures in the high twenties are 

possible; 30.4mpg is the official ‘Extra-urban’ cycle figure. 

Back on the road. With the constant lane-changing and on/off slip roads that are 

the motorway network around Rouen, it’s time to play with the latest Sportshift 

and explore the other end of the rev-counter. If you are in the market for a new 

V8 Vantage, this is the one to have, there’s no doubt about that. Purely from a 

performance perspective if feels much sharper than previous versions, the 

430bhp, lower axle and extra cog makes the free-spinning engine really zing up 

to its nigh-on 8000rpm cut-out. 

It feels more ‘planted’, too, cornering flatter, riding bumps better and providing 

greater feedback through the steering wheel. Yes, its suspension is a 

performance-optimised ‘firm’, but in comparison with a V12 Vantage it’s a far 

more comfortable car for a really long trip. As a Roadster, though, you’ll be in 

toothbrush-and-a-change-of-socks territory with it as the boot is terribly small 

due to the power roof. 


Once at Le Mans, the Aston Martin Owners Club ‘John Wyer Tribute’ meeting in nearby 

Chartre-sur-le-Loir was the first port of call. The older satellite navigation system as 

fitted to all Astons prior to the new Virage has its detractors, that’s true, but it 

got me there, and then on to all the other jolly Le Mans stuff all weekend. And 

then around a crazy motorway closure when back in the UK on Sunday night – 

just when most drivers just want to go home. Come on, what more do you 

want? 

The drive back from La Chartre to the circuit to collect tickets was a cracker. 

This was French D-road motoring in a fast car at its best. It’s quite extraordinary 

that the roads should be so quiet with nearly a quarter of a million people 

encamped only 20 or so miles away. Sport button engaged and top down, a 

beautiful sunny afternoon and verdant French countryside with well sign-posted 

and maintained roads, the drive was unforgettable. And following another open, 

metallic green Aston Martin, which just happened to be the DBR1 which won the 

Le Mans 24 Hours in 1959, was one of those things that life throws at you once 

in a while, to be savoured while you can. Distant relations and all that. 


Come four o’clock on Sunday, one hour after the end of one of the most 

exciting races ever, it was time to squeeze out of the car park and head North 

West for home. The stop-start of the queues was fine, although when it came to 

actually switching off the engine, the car’s slippery ‘Emotional Control Unit’ key 

had me struggling to rein in my emotions when, for the umpteenth time, it 

boinged out of the dash and under the passenger seat. Next time, can we have 

a normal key and a starter button, please? 

So it was then the reverse of the downward route, hitting home at 23:30 on 

Sunday night, 831 miles in total over the weekend, a mix of mainly motorway 

commuter work, jams and the occasional, delicious cross-country blast. 

Just the sort of driving the average Aston-owner would be doing, in fact. And I 

can honestly say it did it brilliantly – the boring, hood-up sections were still 

satisfying, while in full-on Roadster mode in pursuit of a Le Mans winner it 

maintained every tradition of the marque. And, funnily enough, the last section, 

driving solo on pock-marked British Tarmac, in the dark with vile weather and 

even worse traffic, was one of the most satisfying. 

I really had that “we’ve got through this together” feeling as I stepped out of 

the comfortable bucket seats. As with the legendary 24-hour event I’d just 

witnessed, a true test of endurance and one the V8 Vantage S Roadster 

completed without missing a beat. 

Text: Steve Wakefield Photos: Classic Driver 


Racing with David Brown Aston Martins by Chris Nixon. Volumes One & Two 

(Vol 1 with John Wyer) The definitive history of the 13 years of the Aston Martin 

factory racing programme Throughout the 50's. Published by Transport Bookman Ltd 

1980. 1st Edition. Both books are in excellent, if not mint condition. Tight spines and 

bindings, no foxing, no clipped or marked pages and no bumped corners. Both books 

have matching excellent condition dust jackets. Dust jackets are wrapped in library 

quality clear pvc wrappers with paper backing. $800.00 for the set. Books are in 

Kew, Victoria and pick up is most welcome. Contact: Nigel Watson ph; 0425 850 

909. 

Aston Martin number plates for the discerning owner or dealer, these plates have 

never been displayed and are registered in Victoria. They are exactly the same as 

those owned by Aston Martin in the UK and always featured in their press shots for 

the Vantage, Volante, Vanquish, One77 and many many more.... 

1 AML $5000 1 AMV $5000 

Price negotiable. 

Contact: Lee.Wilson@monash.edu or phone: Lee Wilson :0429 860 942 

Collectible Sought After Aston Martin Number Plates 

ASTON 5 

VicRoads issued Slimline 

Contact Philip at 0408815591 or email: philipgslattery@hotmail.com 

Personalised Number Plates for sale 

JMSBND 

Personalised Victorian number plates for sale JMSBND, tuxedo black with white 

letters. One slimline one standard good condition. Gets a great reaction when people 

read it always gets a smile. Perfect finishing touch for your Aston Martin. $1900.00 or 

offers. 

Contact James on 0408 500 253 or email: james.goodchap@cmv.com.au 

AMDBS8 

FOR SALE 

Personalised Victorian number plates for sale 

Contact Celia Gregory on 0428322271 or email: celia7188@yahoo.com.au 


Forgetter BeForgotten 

My forgetter's getting better, But my rememberer is broke 

To you that may seem funny But, to me, that is no joke for 

when I'm 'here' I'm wondering If I really should be 'there' 

And, when I try to think it through, I haven't got a prayer! 

Oft times I walk into a room, Say 'what am I here for?' 

I wrack my brain, but all in vain! A zero, is my score. 

At times I put something away Where it is safe, but, Gee! 

The person it is safest from Is, generally, me! 

When shopping I may see someone, Say 'Hi' and have a chat, 

Then, when the person walks away I ask myself, 'who the hell 

was that? 

Yes, my forgetter's getting better While my rememberer is 

broke, And it's driving me plumb crazy 

And that isn't any joke. CAN YOU RELATE??? 

Please send this to everyone you know 

because 

I DON'T REMEMBERWHO I SENTTHIS 

TO! 


INSTALLING HUSBAND 

A woman writes to the IT Technical support Guy 

Dear Tech Support, 

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and I noticed a distinct 

slowdown in the overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewellery 

applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. 

In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as 

Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, and then installed undesirable programs 

such as NEWS 5..0, MONEY 3.0 and CRICKET 4.1. 

Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and House cleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. 

Please note that I have tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no 

avail. 

What can I do? Signed, 

Reply 

DEAR Madam, 

First, keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is 

an operating system. 

Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme.html and try to download Tears 6.2 and 

do not forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update. 

If that application works as designed, Husband1.0 should then automatically run the 

applications Jewellery 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.. 

However, remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to 

default to Silence 2.5 or Beer 6.1. Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that 

will download the Snoring Loudly Beta. 

Whatever you do, DO NOT under any circumstances install Mother-In-Law 1.0 (it 

runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system 

resources.) 

In addition, please do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are 

unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0. 

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and 

cannot learn new applications quickly. 

You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and 

performance. 

We recommend: Cooking 3.0 and Hot Looks 7.7. 

Good Luck Madam! 


PARTING SHOT 

Aston Martin V8 

(Oscar India - V540 and V580) (1978 - 1986)

Forgetter BeForgotten - Aston Martin Owners Club Victoria

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