ASTON MARTIN vANQUISH S - The Seen

ISSUE.15 | AUtUmn—WIntEr 2012

mEE SPEAK
With the longer nights now upon us it already seems like an
age since the overwhelming feel-good factor of the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics broke the ‘feelbad’
factor of previous years. And with the recent release of
the epic new Bond film Skyfall, Aston Martin fans have yet
more to celebrate. If you’ve seen the film, is the world’s most
famous car now ripe for restoration?
Anyway, welcome to the Autumn/Winter edition of FullBore. In
this issue we’re featuring a fabulous selection of Christmas gifts
for mums, dads and children, all available online at the click of
a mouse. The interesting tale of the DB6 Mk. 2 model is told,
accompanied by stunning professional photography of a pair
of them by renowned clicker Alex P. We also bring you details
of our annual Le Mans hospitality program for 2013, as well as a
feature on the Aston Martin Rapide – an example of which we
have in stock for the first time and it’s a car that has certainly
won us over here at NM&Co.
This issue also sees the launch of a new product. ‘COVERED’
is our bespoke car warranty scheme and it’s been devised
specifically for our customers by AutoProtect, one of Europe’s
leading suppliers of automotive insurance products. Developed
in consultation with ourselves, we’re sure many of you will
appreciate the peace of mind provided by COVERED, and it’s
available now: Click to view online »
Other key events for us earlier in the year included the opening
of our new Heritage showrooms in West London’s Goldhawk
Road (close to the Westfield shopping centre). Despite the lessthan-ideal
economic conditions of the time, the investment and
commitment we made has been an undoubted success with
increased sales and, perhaps more importantly, the business
handling the sales of some very high quality and interesting
cars. With the collectors’ car market in general being in rude
health, it’s no surprise that our recently revamped Service and
Aftercare department is also flourishing.
I hope you enjoy this issue and I wish you all a very happy and
enjoyable festive season. Finally, I’d also like remind you all of
our Saturday opening hours – 9am to 4pm – during which time
a warm welcome and gourmet coffee are always on offer!
Nick

HOLIDAy PERIOD OPENING HOURS:
Saturday 22nd Dec 9am – 4pm
Thursday 27th Dec 10am – 4pm
Friday 28th Dec 10am – 4pm
Saturday 29th Dec 10am – 4pm
Wednesday 2nd Jan Showroom and Service/Aftercare depts
reopen on normal hours: Locations »
For out-of-hours sales enquiries call Neal Garrard on 07718 340811
Sales
Nicholas Mee & Company Ltd
Brackenbury House,
158-160 Goldhawk Road,
West London, W12 8HJ
Service & Aftercare
Nicholas Mee & Company Ltd
Brackenbury Garage,
12, Wellesley Avenue,
London, W6 0UP
Contacts
T: +44 (0)208 741 8822
F: +44 (0)208 741 7422
info@nicholasmee.co.uk
http://www.nicholasmee.co.uk
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FULLBORE : ISSUE 15
THE OFFICIAL E-MAGAzINE FROM NICHOLAS MEE & CO LTD
// AUTUMN — WINTER 2012
NEWS
What’s happening in 2013 – Aston Martin’s centenary year, plus the
new DB9, the ex Nicholas Mee Racing V8 Vantage returns to the
podium, and more
TWO’S BETTER THAN ONE
Out-and-about in a rare pair of DB6 Mk. 2s – one open, one closed
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
Both short-chassis Volantes, but that’s where the similarities end
ASTONS AT AUCTION
A review of recent Astons to come under the hammer
TECH TEAM NEWS
Updates on the past, present and future at Brackenbury Garage
COVERED UNCOVERED
Our bespoke car warranty programme is revealed
FULLBORE CENTREFOLD
An intriguing angle on a black Vanquish S
WHAT’S IN STOCK
A finer assortment of Astons for sale would be hard to find
CHRISTMAS AT THE ASTONSTORE
Pay a visit to our virtual grotto of gifts and goodies
RAPIDE TRANSIT
Not the De Havilland bi-plane, the Vincent motorcycle or the
ubiquitous Ford van, but the world’s prettiest 4/5-door
READERS’ COMPETITION
A winner is announced and a fab prize is in the offing again, but
we’ve changed things a bit for this issue
CTR EVENTS
The Le Mans 24hr race in Aston Martin’s centenary year – an
occasion not to be missed
2012; A SOCIAL REVIEW
We attended automotive events in Kuwait, Le Mans, the Swiss Alps,
Syon Park, Chelsea, Windsor and, not least, a pub in Wiltshire
© Nicholas Mee & Co Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the
prior permission in writing of the copyright owner.
Design : www.theseen.biz

NEWS
100 YEARS
OF ASTON MARTIN
A CELEBRATION
To mark the firm’s 100th year in the style it deserves Aston
Martin will have a packed programme of events taking place
throughout 2013. Not only will these activities highlight
the company’s glittering achievements since its founding in
1913, they will also capture the energy, spirit, ambition and
excitement that propels Aston Martin into its second century of
creating exceptional cars.
The celebrations will commence in January and a year-long
series of events will follow, with commemorations held
throughout Europe, the USA, Asia and the Middle East – all
designed to involve and engage the international family of
owners, enthusiasts, dealers and the many other people who
have played a role in the company’s development.
CENTENARy WEEK
A dedicated Centenary Week – date and location to be
announced – will form the centrepiece of the festivities, and
it will involve every aspect of the company, from its global HQ
in Gaydon to the marque’s spiritual home in Newport Pagnell.
Aston Martin’s dealer network, the Aston Martin Owners Club
and the Aston Martin Heritage Trust will all be involved, and
04
the Centenary Week will celebrate Aston Martin’s impact both
within the UK and around the world.
CENTENARy CONCOURS
This unforgettable Centenary Week will offer the chance for
guests to enjoy driving experiences, hospitality and factory
tours, and the week will climax with a cavalcade of Aston
Martins in a Centenary Concours with each car on show
representing a different chapter during the company’s 100-year
history.
Full date and location information will be announced over the
coming weeks in FullBore Lite, as will details of Nicholas Mee &
Co’s own celebrations.
FULLBORE

NEWS
AM NEW
INvESTMENT?
You may have read recent reports concerning Aston Martin’s
Kuwaiti owners Investment Dar and Adeem Investment
having received competing bids for 50% of the Gaydon-based
company from the Italian-owned, London-based private
equity firm Investindustrial and the Indian car maker Mahindra
and Mahindra.
In 2007 the Kuwaiti partnership paid Ford some £479m for
Aston Martin. Investindustrial’s recent circa £250m offer would
apparently include a valuable technological partnership with
Mercedes-Benz, but Mahindra reportedly later pitched in with a
larger offer.
Investment Dar’s Chairman has denied the story saying there’s
“no truth to it”, while at the time of writing Aston Martin,
Investindustrial (who recently sold Ducati to Audi), Mercedes-
Benz and Mahindra have all declined to comment.
STOP PRESS:
28th Nov 2012. The latest statement from Aston Martin reads:
‘Aston Martin, with the support of its shareholders, confirms that
discussions are at an advanced stage to secure a capital increase
which will ensure it can deliver its medium and long-term
growth plans. A further announcement will be made at the
appropriate time’.
From NM&Co’s perspective this all sounds very positive and can
only be good for Aston Martin in the long term. It looks like a
new chapter in the history of our favourite marque is about to
begin and we shall keep you posted with any further news via
our social media outlets and in our next FullBore LITE,
coming soon.
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NEW DB9
Following hot on the heels of the new 573hp Vanquish Super
GT, in mid September Aston Martin revealed full details of its
even more recent model – the new DB9.
Serving as a replacement for the now defunct Virage, the new
model is distinguishable, among other things, by a new One-
77-influenced grille, a larger lower front air intake, bi-xenon
headlamps and a more pronounced bootlid flip. Although not
looking strikingly different from the previous DB9, around 60%
of the 2013 DB9’s body panels are new, while the VH chassis
architecture and construction benefits from new Vanquish
technology. The company says the new DB9 coupé’s chassis is
20% stiffer than the outgoing DB9’s, while the new Volante’s
chassis is 30% stiffer.
The quad cam V12 also borrows from the new Vanquish,
with power up from 476PS to 517PS, torque up from 600Nm
to 620Nm and a corresponding performance improvement
with the 0-60mph sprint now completed in 4.6 secs, 0.2 secs
swifter than before. Max speed is a quoted 183mph and carbon
ceramic brakes now come as standard. These power and
performance increases have been matched by an improvement
in emissions with CO2 now down from 345 to 333g/km.
Inside there’s new full-grain ‘welt’ leather, glass switchgear, side
airbags, satnav and Organic Electroluminescent displays among
much else, all as standard. The Coupé starts at £131,995 in the
UK, but with so much that’s new or heavily revised one can only
ponder why the 2013 DB9 wasn’t called the DB10.
Time will tell, possibly.
PERFECTION?
ALMOST!
Regular readers will recall that Nicholas Mee Racing’s Aston
Martin V8 Vantage GT4 enjoyed considerable success in recent
years, most notably by winning the 2009 and 2011 AM GT4
Challenge series as well as finishing an impressive first-in-class
and second overall in the 2011 Britcar 24hr race at Silverstone –
the car’s final race in NMR guise (see FullBore 12).
Having taken the decision to end on a high we sold the car
during the off-season to the Danish Perfection Racing team and
they’ve since done a fine job of maintaining the car’s rightful
place on the podium. At this year’s Britcar 24hr held in late
September the Perfection Racing Vantage GT4 completed 527
laps in mixed and tricky conditions to finish first-in-class and
third overall.
Piloted by the team’s regular drivers Kim Holmgaard and Mikkel
Johansen, for the Britcar 24hr they were joined by Kasper
Jensen and Paul Spires, Sales Director of Aston Martin Works,
who as the only team driver with Silverstone experience, started
the race for the team.
Also supporting the Silverstone rookies was NMR’s Chief
Engineer Giles Dawson who Team Managed the car for the
event, while Nicholas Mee & Co’s Chief Technician Andrew
Weller was the team’s no.1 mechanic.
Perfection Racing is now preparing for its next outing at the
Dubai 24hr in January, where NMR achieved a 3rd-in-class
podium finish and 18th overall in 2010 (see FullBore 7).
NM&Co’s Andrew Weller will again be joining them in the
UAE, but the team currently has one driver vacancy so anyone
interested should contact us. Meanwhile we wish them the very
best of British.
IN THE
NEWS
FULLBORE
As the American comic/actor Jerry Seinfeld once said, “It’s
amazing that the amount of news that happens in the
world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper”.
Coincidentally, the same could be said of FullBore’s ‘In The
News’ section…
Inside Out Luxury
Under the heading Wheel Power, the June edition of the new
Inside Out Luxury magazine devoted a double page spread
to ‘vintage Aston Martins’ and Nicholas Mee & Co. Quoting
Nicholas Mee and Aston Martin’s Kingsley Riding-Felce, the
writer, Lou Cooper, was clearly smitten, most especially by a
1993 V8 Vantage.
TopGear.com
Back in early August TopGear.com set off to hunt for some of
London’s hidden (and more interesting) cars in a bright red,
Safari rally-prepped Porsche 911. Well they certainly came up
trumps at NM&Co’s Brackenbury Garage where among Aston
Martins of various vintages they managed to “corner the rarest
creature – a DB2”.
Men’s Ex
The August issue of the Japanese men’s magazine Men’s Ex
ran a feature in which Jeremy Hackett introduced readers to
his favourite places in London, one of which, we’re pleased to
report, was NM&Co’s Brackenbury House showroom.
Hackett
Staying with the Hackett theme, the company’s Autumn/
Winter brochure and current press ad campaign features a very
smartly-dressed young gentleman leaning on the front wing
of an equally smart Aston Martin DB6 – a car supplied by, you
guessed it, Nicholas Mee & Co.

FEATURE
tWO’S BEttEr
tHAn OnE
THE STORy OF THE DB6 MK. 2 IS AN INTERESTING ONE, EVEN By ASTON MARTIN’S STANDARDS, SO
WE BLOW AWAy SOME AUTUMNAL LEAVES IN A PAIR OF THEM WHILE ALSO ExPLAINING WHy...
06 9
Words: Tom Stewart
Photography: AlexP.com
FULLBORE

FEATURE : TWO’S BETTER THAN ONE
We won’t delve too far back in time here, but the narrative
of the DB6 Mk. 2 would be incomplete without some
mention of its predecessors. Effectively the story started
in 1958 with the unveiling of the DB4 – a car with Italian
styling by Touring of Milan, hand-made aluminium
‘Superleggera’ body panels and an alloy 3.7-litre straightsix
engine designed by Aston Martin’s Tadek Marek.
Following a dozen or more variations, in 1964 the DB4 evolved
into the 4-litre DB5 with its faired-in headlamps, individual
rear lights and a number of other improvements. Then, just
two years later came the DB6, a further evolution with a more
accommodating rear passenger space and a then cutting-edge
‘Kamm tail’ boot spoiler, among other enhancements.
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Now this is where the DB4/5/6 line might have ended, for
in 1967 Aston Martin revealed the all-new, William Towns
designed DBS. This car was to have been powered from the
off by Tadek Marek’s new 5,340cc V8 engine, but for technical
reasons, the ground-breaking V8 engine wasn’t ready and so
the DBS was launched onto the market with the DB6’s 4-litre
6-cyl motor.
So, all pretty straightforward up ‘til now, but here’s the twist.
The DBS was a significantly bigger and heavier car than all the
previous DB models, and with 282bhp, or even the 325bhp of
the no-cost option Vantage version, it didn’t sell in sufficiently
economic numbers with the old straight-six installed. And so in
1969 an updated and more refined version of the DB6 – the DB6
Mk 2 – was swiftly engineered and entered production in July
FULLBORE
’69 alongside the DBS (which didn’t become the DBS V8 until
the Spring of the following year).
Built on a parallel production line at the Newport Pagnell
factory during 1969-70, the re-born DB6 shared a number of
major components with the newer DBS. These included the
5-speed gearbox and clutch, the seats, and the wheels and
hubs. And, to accommodate wider tyres, the Mk. 2 had subtle
changes made to its now slightly flared wheel arch profiles, and
it boasted power steering as standard equipment.
Although the primary reason at the time for all this parts
sharing was to keep production costs down, one undoubted
benefit of upgrading the DB6 with newer DBS components was
a significant improvement of the DB6’s driving experience. More
comfortable seating, a lighter clutch with easier gear selection,
wider wheels and tyres providing better road holding and
easier power steering were all significant improvements over
the earlier DB6, so much so that the Mk. 2 could easily have
been named the DB7. But doing that might have shifted the
spotlight away from the DBS, which probably wouldn’t have
been a smart move.
Both the coupé and Volante versions of the DB6 Mk.2 are rare,
with just 245 and 38 built respectively, the latter over a period
of just one year. A few Mk.2s – one of them being the hardtop
coupé featured here – were powered by the optional Vantage
engine with its triple Weber 45 DCOE carburettors replacing
the standard SU carbs and compression raised from 8.9:1 to
9.4:1 to give a claimed 325bhp – 43bhp up on the standard
engine’s output.
Providing yet more temptation for customers of the era was
the Volante version’s roof, which was both raised and lowered
by hydraulic pumps and electric motors. But despite such
enticement late 1970 saw the last DB6 Mk. 2 Volante produced,
and, due to what turned out to be unnecessary apprehension
about potential forthcoming safety legislation concerning
convertible cars, Aston Martin subsequently managed
without an open-topped model until the carburettor’d V8
Volante of 1977.
So, that’s story behind the DB6 Mk.2, but what about now?
Well, shortly after my drive in the 2010 Rapide (see following
feature) I was lucky enough to get behind the wheel of the
Vantage-engined Mk. 2 coupé. Needless to say, the Rapide and
DB6 have four decades of development between them, so they
make chalk and cheese almost seem like the same thing, but
you don’t need DVD screens, a 1,000-watt stereo and 470bhp to
experience involvement, driving satisfaction and pleasure.

FEATURE
9
FULLBORE

FEATURE : ??????????????
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With its lightweight Superleggera body and lusty engine, the
Mk. 2 is more than capable of showing its pair of slash-cut
stainless tailpipes to many much newer cars, while its speedo –
one of seven chrome-bezelled instruments facing you – reads
to 180mph, which is probably more than a little optimistic, but
such practice was common in the day.
The steering and gearchange are as previously described – light,
direct and full of feel, and though the brake pedal requires
more pressure than contemporary cars, the DB6’s front and
rear discs are certainly up to the job. And then there are those
sensations which many quality classics provide and which are
also obviously apparent in the DB6: the thin wooden wheel rim,
the soft, comfy seats, the smell of leather and the warm, living,
breathing engine, the natural sounds of the engine and exhaust
With thanks to Chiswick House & Gardens for the photo location.
FULLBORE
and, not least, that feeling of being connected to the car and
the road – the feeling that you’re driving something well-honed
and special.
As Nick Mee commented on the day, “To have one of each of
these rare Mk.2s together is a privilege and we’re proud to be
offering them for sale”.
I certainly feel privileged simply to have been in their company.
Click here to see full description of both DB6s »

GARRARD’S GEMS + SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
GARRARD’S GEMS
Compiling each issue of FullBore, while being a not insignificant
task in itself, helps stimulate reflection on the recent past while
also focussing our minds on the challenges and adventures in
the coming year. Although as this is written we still have the
exciting run-up to Christmas and the holiday season ahead of
us, 2012 has been a very busy year, as well as being a groundbreaking
year for the company. In addition to moving into our
new Brackenbury House showrooms, there’s also been much
behind-the-scenes activity at our Brackenbury Garage Service
& Aftercare centre where we’ve implemented a number of
organizational changes and improved our resources to drive
this important area of our business further forward.
Speaking for the ‘New Era’ side of our business, I look back on
2012 as a year of mixed fortunes. The new showroom has had
a fairly dramatic effect on our sales activities as we are now
able to offer more cars than previously, and our dedicated
sales environment allows us to present them to the highest
standards, the result being an increase in sales. However, the
general economic conditions don’t help buyer sentiment, and
trading conditions are not easy, but the good news is that
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there’s fantastic value to be had. The DB7 Vantage, for example,
has probably now reached the bottom of its deprecation curve,
but it still looks as sharp and timeless as when launched. We
expect it to be a popular model in 2013 and so prices may well
soon start to creep up.
The original Vanquish and Vanquish S models are certainly
being looked upon as future classics and, as such an important
car in Aston Martin’s history and with relatively low production
volumes, they have been gaining in popularity with prices of
low mileage, well maintained examples firming up. One also
can’t ignore the DB9 – a superb GT car that now represents
startlingly good value with entry prices at approximately
£40,000 for a coupe and £45,000 for a Volante. With annual
service intervals, predictable maintenance costs and now the
peace of mind provided by our new Warranty policy, these
fantastic V12s now make a lot of sense. Go on, you know you
want to. You won’t regret it!
So, a quick reflection on 2012. My Car of the Year? Well, recently
we received our first pre-owned Rapide for sale and I must say
that we are all quite smitten. It’s a highly capable sports car with
the ability to carry four in style and comfort, while the build
quality and finish are superb.
And my Event of the Year? While the Goodwood Revival is
always tough to beat, I was lucky enough to attend the London
unveiling of the new Vanquish – a great occasion that certainly
did justice to what is set to be a mind-blowingly good car.
2013 will be another exciting year, not for just for NM&Co but
for the Aston Martin marque as it celebrates its centenary year.
We’ll continue to provide you with previews of the various
events planned by Aston Martin and the AMOC in our new
FullBore Lite monthly newsletters. You can also keep up to
speed with all our news at our Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Meanwhile, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy
and Prosperous New Year!
Neal
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
SOMETHING OLD -
V8 VANTAGE VOLANTE ‘SPECIAL EDITION’ SHORT CHASSIS
Built during 1965 and 1966, the Short Chassis Volante was
based on the DB5 Convertible but was introduced at the same
time as the DB6 saloon.
Though similar to the DB5 Convertible, it was the first Aston
Martin to be called a ‘Volante’ and it had several DB6 features
such as split bumpers, a bigger oil cooler intake plus the DB6’s
interior trim and instrumentation, although one feature unique
to the Short Chassis was its rear light clusters. Of the 37 DB
Short Chassis Volantes built, three were equipped with the
DB5’s 314bhp, Vantage spec engine.
Regarded by the cognoscenti as the ultimate of the convertible
DB series, recent cars to market have fetched up to the region
of £750,000 for restored examples – hardly surprising given this
DB’s highly satisfying aesthetics and rarity.
SOMETHING NEW -
VOLANTE ‘SPECIAL EDITION’ SHORT CHASSIS
For a concise description of all Aston Martin models from the DB1 to the 2013 DB9, visit our Models section »
FULLBORE
FOR THIS ISSUE WE BRING yOU SOMETHING OLD, AND SOMETHING A BIT LESS OLD, BUT WE MAKE
UP THE RULES AROUND HERE, AND WE FELT THAT WE SHOULD THROW SOME LIGHT ON THE TERM
‘SHORT-CHASSIS’.
Just nine Special Edition V8 Vantage Volantes were ‘unofficially’
built to order during 2000, and they were the very last V8powered
Aston Martins to be produced at the Newport
Pagnell factory.
Commonly referred to as ‘short-chassis’ Volantes, the Special
Edition versions’ wheelbases were shorter than the standard
Volante’s, although just one Special Edition car was built on the
standard longer chassis. All however were powered by 550 or
600 bhp supercharged engines and, although all were unique in
terms of precise specification as they were all built to individual
client requirements, they featured much of the ultra-high
performance hardware of the V550 and V600-spec
hard-top coupés.
When new the short chassis Volantes’ prices, including the
various individual options, were generally in the area of
£250,000. As one might imagine, instances of this model
coming to market are infrequent due to the very limited
numbers built and so it’s hard therefore to give recent or
meaningful indicators on current value, but it would be
relatively safe to assume that an example coming to market
today would command a figure in excess of its price when new.

ASTON’S AT AUCTION + TECH TEAM NEWS
ASTONS AT AUCTION
A NUMBER OF ASTON MARTINS HAVE COME TO AUCTION SINCE THE LAST ISSUE OF FULLBORE IN JULy.
HERE ARE SOME THAT HAVE COME UNDER THE HAMMER MORE RECENTLy, PLUS ONE VERy SPECIAL
LAGONDA, THAT GRABBED OUR ATTENTION.
RM Auctions, Battersea, London,
31st October
1960 DB4 Series II coupé
Fully restored in the mid 1980s, an
AMOC concours winner in the 1990s
and fastidiously maintained by marque
specialists since then. Sold for £235,200
1964 Aston Martin DB5 coupé
Delivered new in September 1964 to
Paul McCartney. Options fitted include a
Philips Auto-Mignon record player. Full
11 All sale prices inc. buyer’s premium
cosmetic restoration completed in Italy
in early 2011. Sold for £344,400
1964 DB5 Convertible
Restored to Concours-level in late ‘80s,
low mileage since then. Very recent
respray, engine detail and service. Sold
for £632,800
1967 Aston Martin DB6 Shooting
Brake
Commissioned new by Innes Ireland,
one of two DB6 Shooting Brakes by FLM
Bonhams, Goodwood Revival, 15th September
1939 Lagonda V12 Le Mans Team Car
Despite limited development time and experience, Lords
Selsdon and Waleran’s privately-entered No. 6 Lagonda
finished 4th overall in the 1939 Le Mans 24hr, one place
behind the works-entered ‘Old Number 5’. Sold for
£1,289,500 – a new world auction record for the marque.
Christie’s 50 Years of James Bond sale, South Kensington,
5th October
2008 Aston Martin DBS
As driven by Daniel Craig as James Bond in Quantum of
Solace. Sold for £241,250 (proceeds to Barnardo’s).
Panelcraft. Full Works Service restoration.
(Estimate: £325,000–£375,000). Not sold
at £300,000
2001 Vanquish Prototype 2+0
The second Vanquish prototype.
Featured in publicity photographs and
media roadtests. 35,716 miles from new,
full AM dealer service history. Sold for
£58,800
TECH TEAM NEWS
As regular FullBore readers will already be aware, during
2012 Nicholas Mee & Co migrated its AM Heritage sales
showrooms to the Goldhawk Rd., just five minutes walk from
our service and aftercare workshops at Brackenbury Garage in
Hammersmith, West London. This move has allowed our New
Era and Heritage workshop facilities to expand into the entire
6,400 sq ft of the building. The additional space has allowed
us to increase the number of cars that we’re able to provide
servicing, maintenance and restoration support for.
In 2012, additional ramps, further specialized tooling and
equipment, and the addition in June of another technician,
Angus Payton, have all bolstered NM&Co’s Service & Aftercare
operations. To support the significant increase in demand we’re
also pleased to confirm the forthcoming arrival of a highly
experienced Service & Aftercare Manager, who will lead our
dedicated team from January 2013 onwards.
In the meantime, here’s an update from our Heritage and New
Era heads of department on their 2012 activities and their
outlook for the forthcoming year.
Andrew Weller – New Era: During my three years with the
company, I have overseen the rapid growth in the servicing
and maintenance of New Era cars from the DB7 to the latest
Gaydon-built models. With the support of my colleague
Paul Hill, another highly experienced Aston Martin-trained
technician, we’ve seen a continued increase in the number
of new customer cars for which we are providing servicing
and maintenance. Although Nicholas Mee Racing’s activities
are currently on hold, we have continued to provide parts
FULLBORE
and technical support to a number of teams campaigning V8
Vantage GT4 racecars. I recently supported our client, Perfection
Racing, at the Silverstone 24hr endurance race where we
achieved a podium finish with the fantastic result of 3rd overall
and 1st in class. I’m now looking forward to my next outing
with the team in the sunnier climes of Dubai for the gruelling
24hr race held there each January. I shall be posting progress
updates via Twitter and our Facebook pages.
David Swadling – Heritage: The company’s showroom
expansion has had a dramatic effect on our Heritage workshop
this year because it has lead to a significant increase in the
amount of sales preparation and servicing undertaken. During
2012 the workshop delivered a number of projects including
a restored DB5, a refurbished DB4 and DB6, and a 7-litre
conversion on a V8 Zagato. We’ve also supported a number
of highly prized classic Aston Martins and we’re currently into
the restoration of two DB4s, to be completed during the 2013
season. With Angus now on the team he’s rapidly extending
his experience of Heritage Aston Martins, and we’re all looking
forward to the challenge of future projects, welcoming new
enquiries and bringing our skill sets to bear on Aston Martin’s
timeless classics.
Nicholas Mee & Co provides servicing and maintenance support
for all post war Aston Martin models. For pricing for a scheduled
service, or for any further information, please contact a member of
the team.
Tel.: +44 (0)208 741 8822
info@nicholasmee.co.uk | Book a service »

NICHOLAS MEE & COMPANy – COVERED WARRANTy PROGRAMME
At Nicholas Mee & Company we want you to continue enjoying the Aston Martin
experience even if something unexpected and unfortunate should happen.
That’s why we have formed a strategic alliance with AutoProtect – one of Europe’s
leading suppliers of innovative, class leading products that give you total peace of mind
– to create a bespoke comprehensive warranty policy designed specifically for Aston
Martin owners. The Nicholas Mee & Co COVERED warranty policy provides protection
and peace of mind for any and all mechanical and electrical breakdowns during the
warranty period, guided by carefully considered terms and conditions.
The terms of our COVERED warranty policy are simple. Subject to our initial 110-point
warranty inspection, we can issue extensive ‘bumper to bumper’ warranty cover
(excluding wear and tear items) for all Aston Martin models.
COVERED – Total peace of mind
• All claims handled promptly and professionally by a dedicated UK based warranty
claims department
• All component repairs are covered, including parts and labour
• No excess and no policy mileage limit
• Repairs by qualified technicians using only genuine Aston Martin parts
• 12 or 24 months cover available
• All Aston Martin models eligible, from DB4 to current models
• Warranty transferable upon resale of the vehicle to a private individual
COVERED – Warranty Prices
• Initial 110-point warranty inspection and visual health check - £200 + VAT. If the
warranty policy is subsequently purchased, this fee is reimbursed.
• 12 months extensive COVERED warranty cover - £1,450 + VAT
• 24 months extensive COVERED warranty cover - £2,900 + VAT
If you would like to purchase our COVERED warranty for your Aston Martin, or if you
have any questions, please call us on 0208 741 8822.
About AutoProtect
Located in Harlow, Essex, AutoProtect is one of the leading providers of Finance and
Insurance products to the motor trade across the UK and continental Europe.

13 THE FB CENTREFOLD: ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH S

WHAT’S
IN STOCK
More stock available online »
ASTON MARTIN
DB6 MK2 vANTAGE
£279,950 £175,000
14 Every car Heritage-quality prepared, multi-point checked, serviced and MoT’d prior to delivery.
1971. 69k - A firm favourite in AM circles the ultimate model
of the 1960’s era DB cars. Equipped with a 4.2l lead free
specification engine, recently rebuilt gearbox and rear axle
and upgraded suspension. Original Vantage 5 speed manual
car, just one of 64 RHD cars built, benefits from a delightfully
original and lightly patinated interior. A comprehensive history
file accompanies the car including, build sheet, correspondence
and invoices from AM Works and AM Heritage specialists.
ASTON MARTIN
v8 vOLANTE
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1986. 1k - Finished in Cumberland Grey with Black hide and
matching Mohair type hood. Subject of a complete and
meticulous restoration by Aston Martin Works, to PoW body
specifications. With less than 1,000 miles since completion, this
homage to the AMV8 Volante featured in the 007 movie, ‘The
Living Daylights’, has been serviced by ourselves and represents
excellent value against the restorations cost.

WHAT’S IN STOCK
ASTON MARTIN
DB6 MK2 vOLANTE
1970. 80k
£595,000
ASTON MARTIN
v8 ZAGATO vANT’ vOL’
1989. 13k
£150,000
15 Every car Heritage-quality prepared, multi-point checked, serviced and MoT’d prior to delivery.
ASTON MARTIN
DB4 SERIES v
1963
£245,000
ASTON MARTIN
v8 vANTAGE
1984. 48k
£84,950
ASTON MARTIN
vANQUISH S
2005. 27k
£77,950
ASTON MARTIN
DB7 GTA
2003. 34k
£38,950
ASTON MARTIN
v8 vOLANTE LWB
2000. 14k
£74,950
ASTON MARTIN
DB7 vANTAGE
2001. 34k
£32,950
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WHAT’S IN STOCK
ASTON MARTIN
DB7 vANTAGE LHD
1999. 38k
£26,500
ASTON MARTIN
DB9 COUPE MANUAL
2005.30k
£38,950
16 Every car Heritage-quality prepared, multi-point checked, serviced and MoT’d prior to delivery.
ASTON MARTIN
DB9 COUPE
2005. 26k
£42,950
ASTON MARTIN v8
vANT’ GT4 RACECAR
2007.
£65,000 + VAT
ASTON MARTIN
RAPIDE
2010. 5k
£86,950
ASTON MARTIN
vANQUISH S
2006. 14k
£84,950
ASTON MARTIN
vANQUISH
2002. 21k
£64,950
ASTON MARTIN
v8 ZAGATO vOLANTE
1991. 7k
£89,950
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17
CHRISTMAS AT THE ASTONSTORE
THE ASTONSTORE IS NICHOLAS MEE & CO’S ONLINE GROTTO
OF ASTON MARTIN PARTS, ACCESSORIES AND GIFTS. WE
HAVE OVER 1000 ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ONLINE,
RANGING FROM STOCKING FILLERS THROUGH TO ULTIMATE
PRESENTS FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE WHO ALREADY HAS
ALMOST EVERYTHING. THE ASTONSTORE WILL HAVE YOUR
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WRAPPED UP!
View the store online »
CHRISTMAS
ASTON MARTIN bRAkE CAlIpER ipHONE dOCk
Created by Racing Gold for our P.Arts collection, this ‘upcycled’ made-to-order brake caliper dock is
compatible with iPhones 4, 4S and 5, and recent iPods. With its in-built phonic transfer speaker, the caliper’s mass
enhances low frequency sounds through the table’s surface. Lithium ion battery plus charging and audio leads
supplied. Please contact us for full details.
View online »

p.ARTS
Previously used components from Aston Martin road and racing cars have been ‘upcycled’ by artisan engineers
Racing Gold to create stunning yet functional bespoke furniture items. All items are available for viewing and
purchase at our Brackenbury House showroom.
V8 Vantage
crankshaft glass
coffee table »
View online »
V8 Vantage
propshaft
coatstand »
Retro tweed
bucket seat »
CHRISTMAS
TRIp TO lE MANS 24hr RACE
Join other Aston Martin drivers on CTR Events’ 20th annual pilgrimage to the world’s greatest motor race in Aston
Martin’s centenary year. The package includes tickets and accommodation, plus all meals, wines, beers, soft
drinks and secure parking at our Gite, and more.
More info »

A FlIgHT INTO SpACE?!
As the late Neil Armstrong said, “I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats.
I don’t intend to waste any of mine.” Virgin Galactic has a few space flight reservation
options from the $200k ‘Voyager’ to the $1m ‘Charter’ to suit your preferences on
timing and price.
View online »
CHRISTMAS
ASTON MARTIN INSpIREd dRIvERS gIlET
Souster & Hicks is a family-run bespoke tailoring business that has created a unique
handcrafted Aston Martin-inspired driving gilet with the iconic grille shape incorporated
into the pocket flaps and collar. These unique pieces are available in various cloths
and alcantara trim colours, and to compliment the gilet a hand-stitched,
pure cotton shirt is also available.
View online »

SIpSMITHS SlOE gIN & dAMSON vOdkA
From its distillery located just a stone’s throw from NM&Co’s premises, Sipsmiths has recently
launched these two deliciously warming winter tipples. Or how about combining a tour
and tastings at the distillery with a visit to NM&Co?
View online »
CHRISTMAS
ASTON MARTIN CYgNET
Although not quite stocking-sized, you could ease your daily drive in 2013 with a 95bhp, 56.5mpg Cygnet
– Aston Martin’s bespoke luxury commuter car. Standard specification includes portable satnav, climatecontrolled
aircon, 6-speaker audio and hand-stitched leather interior trim.
View online »

ASTON MARTIN db5 1/18TH SCAlE MOdEl
Available in Green, Silver or Dubonnet Rosso, this
diecast DB5 is approximately 25cm in length and
features an opening bonnet, boot and doors,
a superbly detailed exterior, interior and engine
compartment, and has working steering
and suspension.
DB5 »
v12 vANTAgE MEMORY STICkS
These 4GB diecast 1:72 scale USB 2.0 Aston Martin V12
Vantage memory sticks are available in either red,
silver or white, and the headlights flash during data
transferral. Suitable for Windows or Mac.
V12 »
REMOTE-
CONTROllEd
JAMES bONd
ASTONS
With full-function radiocontrolled
driving, plus lights,
sounds, concealed weapons
and James Bond theme music,
these fantastic 28cm-long Aston
Martin DB5 and Vanquish models
celebrate the cars that featured
in the hit films Skyfall and Die
Another Day.
Vanquish » DB5 »
CHRISTMAS
dbS WIRElESS MOUSE
This officially licensed DBS optical mouse is available in four colours, while bonnet features two click buttons plus a
clickable scroll wheel in the centre. Supports Windows 7, XP or Vista and Mac OS 10.4 or above.
DBS »

FEATURE
rAPIDE trAnSIt
TOM STEWART CASTS HIS EyE OVER THE FIRST
OF A KIND AT NM&CO... Photography: AlexP.com
22
9
FULLBORE

FEATURE : RAPIDE TRANSIT
As I approached Nicholas Mee & Co’s Brackenbury House
showroom in advance of the editorial planning meeting
for this issue of FullBore, I had my mind focussed on other
matters and so was only subconsciously aware that there
was a smart ‘new era’ Almond Green Aston parked on
the forecourt.
It seemed just a little too large to be a Vantage, and my
subconscious mind had also ruled out the possibility of it being
a Vanquish or a DB7, so I logically assumed it must be a DB9 –
an exceptionally fine looking car by any standards, but a shape
we’re all familiar with so not something to stop me in my tracks.
Then, when I was right up close, in the corner of my eye I
noticed something unusual. The very muscular rear haunch
featured a door handle, a discreet one, but a door handle
nonetheless. And is that a shut line? It most certainly is. By
this point I had stopped in my tracks and the car had my full
attention. It was, to my surprise, nothing other than a Rapide – a
car based on the DB9, with VH chassis architecture and a 6-litre
470bhp V12, but with four grown-up seats and five doors, (that’s
five if you count the rear hatch, as most manufacturers do).
With customer deliveries of the Rapide having only started in
mid 2010, and having personally seen very few on the road
since then, I perhaps naively wasn’t expecting to see the
world’s-prettiest-car-with-more-than-two-doors parked on the
forecourt of this or any other used car dealership.
As our planning meeting got under way it didn’t take us long
to come up with the notion that I should take the Rapide for a
drive for a feature in this issue. Et voila!
23
Now as a motoring journalist this may be a weakness, but I
prefer to keep my comments on car styling to a minimum
as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, a picture is worth a
thousand words, and frankly it’s hard to top the colourful
descriptions of creative chaps like Marek Reichman, the man
who led the Rapide design team.
“Like a race horse standing still, you can see its power and elegance,
the shape of Rapide’s rear haunches are muscular conveying the
power that lies beneath while its low stance produces a powerful
look. There is a real sense of proportion with this car, akin to a
tailored suit; the new double grill gives more presence on the road
while the iconic signature side strake has been lengthened through
to the rear doors to enhance its lateral proportions in a subtle, yet
elegant way. The car’s purity makes it look right from every angle.”
And to that I can only add, I don’t know much about car styling,
but I know what I like, and I love the Rapide!
As you might expect of any car costing almost £140,000 when
new, the ‘Bitter Chocolate’ leather-trimmed interior is exquisite,
both in terms of design and finish. The long, swooping centre
console – a design feature pioneered on the first Vanquish –
continues through to the rear of the cabin, separating the two
rear seats, and so helps give those passengers an ambience
that’s every bit as sporty as for those in the front.
With a press of the glass-trimmed key-cum-starter button the
big V12 barks into life, and by pressing the D button just to
the right in the wood-finish fascia, we’re ready to roll. Once
on the move, and even in the urban confines of West London,
the Rapide’s firm but supple suspension, its ultra-rigid chassis
and its very responsive steering all combine to make it very
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FEATURE : RAPIDE TRANSIT
apparent that the Rapide is no mushy luxury barge, but a
committed and dedicated sports machine. Being 309mm longer
and 230kgs heavier than a DB9 of similar vintage, Aston Martin
was keen to sacrifice as little as possible of the DB9’s agility and
fine driving dynamics, and in that they certainly succeeded. (For
the engineers among you, to twist the Rapide’s chassis through
just one degree would require a force of 28,000Nm, which is
about 47 times more torque than its V12 engine produces.)
So, pretty much any driver would soon realise that the
Rapide is a fully-fledged sportster, and that’s without leaving
town, or leaning on the throttle in the slightest, or blitzing
through the 6-speed paddle-shift Touchtronic transmission, or
experimenting with the suspension and sport mode buttons.
And as further confirmation, and for those leaving London
on the A40, there’s the Hangar Lane underpass – a short but
not too short tunnel that bypasses the frequently congested
gyratory system above, but equally importantly serves as a
splendid acoustic chamber for chaps like me who like to drop
down a couple of gears while driving though in anything with a
fruity exhaust. ‘Brrrrrwaaaaaaahh’ really doesn’t do this
car justice.
24
Once out of town I’ve time for a quick listen to the car’s bespoke,
standard fitment, 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen Besound Rapide
audio system, but soon have to accept that my knackered
old ears simply aren’t refined enough to fully appreciate the
tremendous sound that the system provides.
There’s also the occasional and carefully chosen opportunity to
see what happens when you do lean on the Rapide’s throttle,
and boy am I NOT disappointed. This car, in Sport mode, is
impressively responsive and very quick, but the public road isn’t
the place to access precisely how quick so you’ll have to make
do with its maker’s quoted figures, which are: 0-60 in 5 secs with
a 183mph top speed – pretty speedy for a 5-door hatch!
All of which leaves me wondering why one sees so few Rapides
on the road, even in the most affluent parts of London. One
reason, perhaps the only reason, has to be that £139,950 price,
now upped to £149,995. But with Nicholas Mee & Co offering
this one-owner, 5,000-mile Rapide at a greatly reduced £86,950,
what’s stopping you? Apart from the curious fact that cars
featured in FullBore editorials tend to find new owners before
the issue is released. But you never know…
Click here to see full description of this car »
READERS’
COMPETITION
In FullBore 14 we asked for which birthday did Prince Charles
receive his DB6 Volante as a gift from his mother, Queen
Elizabeth. The answer – his 21st, if you didn’t know already –
could be found on page 8 of the same issue.
The first name drawn with the correct answer was Nathan
Eaton-Baudains, who also informed us that he got an Allegro
for his 21st birthday, although whether it was new or previously
owned we’ve yet to discover! Anyway, Nathan has won himself a
DBS computer mouse.
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The prize for this issue’s competition is a remote controlled
‘Skyfall’ DB5 model (see p.21), and to be in with a (good)
chance of winning you only have to provide a slightly witty or
otherwise vaguely clever caption to the photo here.
Your entries on an email please to info@nicholasmee.co.uk,
(or call 01243 755055). As usual, the first name to be drawn with
what we deem to be the best caption will be the winner.

CTR EVENTS 2013
LE MANS 24HRS
21-23 June 2013
In June we’ll once again be heading to Le Mans for the 24-hour race and our annual
Club Tertre Rouge weekend, and the 2013 event is due to be extra special as not only
is it the centenary year for Aston Martin, it will also mark the 20th anniversary of Club
Tertre Rouge.
The Circuit de la Sarthe is the closest thing motorsport fans have to a sacred place.
Since 1923 – 90 years ago, although 2013 will see the 81st running of the 24hr – it has
hosted the world’s greatest motor race, and with its mix of closed public roads and
pure racing circuit it’s the ultimate proving ground for man and machine.
The prestige associated with winning, or even just finishing, knows no bounds, so
it won’t surprise you that the list of former competitors reads like a who’s who of
motorsport and Hollywood greats. From Stirling Moss to Mario Andretti and Graham
Hill to Paul Newman; they’ve all stood on the podium at Le Mans.
Win or lose, Le Mans is the most enduring endurance classic, and that’s why Club Tertre
Rouge stages an event there every year. We would be delighted to host and entertain
you at the 2013 race (part of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship) with our
excellent accommodation, hospitality, live entertainment, secure parking, exclusive
trackside vantage points and experienced guides over the weekend.
We’d love you to drive your cherished Aston (or other prestige car) to Le Mans, but you
won’t need to bother with sleeping bags and tents because, as usual, we’ll be avoiding
the circuit’s over-populated camp sites. Instead, Club Tertre Rouge will be based at our
residential Gite de la Ferme, conveniently located on the outskirts of Ruaudin, just 2km
by road or ½ km as the crow flies from the circuit. Throughout the three-day weekend,
we’ll be running a regular shuttle bus service so you can come and go as you please.
As usual, our adrenal-fuelled pilgrimage to Le Mans will begin at Folkestone, where
we’ll meet, greet and board the Eurotunnel. We’ll then follow the classic route down
to Le Mans, with a stop for a leisurely lunch and a regroup. Alternatively, CTR guests
25
The fans favourite - the V8 Vantage GTE Robert Nimkoff describes his Le Mans debut!
AMR drivers Darren Turner, Stefan Mücke and Adrian Fernandez enjoy their podium finish
A SHORT RACE, A LONG RACE AND ENDLESS ENJOyMENT
This year Club Tertre Rouge welcomed a party of 32 guests on
our Le Mans weekend hospitality programme. Among those
on the usual fun blast down to Le Mans were a number of
Vanquishes, a 1980s V8 Vantage Volante, a DB7 GT, a V8 Vantage
S and a Rapide.
With the cars all safely parked up for the weekend at our La Gite
de la Ferme HQ, a champagne ‘welcome’ was held, but by way of
a change, this year we altered the format for the Friday night’s
entertainment with the CTR party heading off to an excellent
local restaurant adjacent to the La Sarthe circuit’s
Mulsanne straight.
After a fine dinner, guests were entertained by two racing
drivers who gave a talk and hosted a Q&A session, the first
FULLBORE
being Robert Nimkoff. Rob, who co-drove Nicholas Mee Racing’s
Vantage GT4 to second overall in the 2011 Silverstone 24hr
race, was participating in the Aston Martin Festival, a 1hr Aston
Martin-only race that was to take place the following day
before the main 24hr race. Competing again in a V8 Vantage
GT4, he gave us some insight into the challenge of driving at
Le Mans and what it meant to him, as an American driver, to be
competing at such an historic European event.
Following Rob on stage was Le Mans legend Jan Lammers.
As a driver Jan has enjoyed one of the most illustrious careers
in motorsport with 41 Grand Prix to his name, a European F3
crown and a win in the Daytona 24hr. He’s also competed in the
gruelling Paris-Dakar rally and, most significantly for our event,
has driven at Le Mans no less than 18 times, standing on the

CTR EVENTS 2013
26
FULLBORE
are welcome to make their own way to Le Mans using the maps provided. We will be
waiting for you with a warm welcome and a cold drink!
On race day we’ll have privileged access to the fantastic ACO restaurant and enclosure,
located at the end of the start/finish straight. This will be our trackside location for the
majority of the racing, although one of the joys of a 24-hour event is that there’s plenty
of time to explore and immerse yourself in the atmosphere, either within the village
or elsewhere on the nine-mile circuit. We’ll be on hand to give you all the insider
knowledge, from the best viewpoints at midnight and sunrise, to where to get a strong
cup of coffee at 4am.
Over the years most of our guests have driven to Le Mans in their own Aston Martins,
and last year these included a number of Vanquishes, a 1980s V8 Vantage Volante, a
DB7 GT, a V8 Vantage S and a Rapide. On display in the Gite’s secure grounds, the cars
form a very impressive spectacle in their own right.
We must stress that places are always in demand and limited, so please contact us
early to avoid disappointment.
THE CLUB TERTRE ROUGE PACKAGE TO THE 2013 LE MANS 24-HOUR INCLUDES:
• Run to Le Mans on traditional route with mid-way stop for refreshments (optional)
• Weekend tickets to gain access to the Le Mans circuit and village for the 24hr
and Legends Classic races
• Full use of all facilities within our base at Gite de la Ferme, including:
podium on four occasions, including the top step • Round-the-clock in 1988 when secure other on-site GT1, GT2, parking GT3 and GT4 cars (see our report on page 6).
he was part of the winning Silk Cut Jaguar team. • All meals, wines, beers After and taking soft drinks in the Festival while at and the soaking Gite up the pre 24hr race
• Shuttle bus service to atmosphere, and from the circuit CTR party headed over to the ACO Panoramic
A highly entertaining but frank and modest speaker, • Up to Jan three nights accommodation restaurant for lunch (Friday/Saturday/Sunday)
and the start of the main event.
captivated the audience with some fascinating • tales Exclusive and insight Club Tertre Rouge goody bag stuffed with essential Le Mans items
into his long career, which included his amazing • Le first Mans experience welcome party Like on many Friday others evening among the 240,000-strong crowd, we were
of Le Mans in 1970 during the filming of the iconic • Sunday Le Mans night ‘Movie’ enthralled night during the first few hours of the race by the three-
movie with Steve McQueen, and his famous Le Mans outright way nose-to-tail battle between the Corvette, Ferrari and Aston
victory in which he drove for 13 hours, including Dates the for last the three 2013 Le Mans Martin 24 teams Hours for have GTE now Pro been class confirmed honours. This as 22nd/23rd breath-taking June. scrap
hours with only 4th gear.
reminded us of the Aston Martin v Corvette duels of 2007 and
Price:
2008 that are now the stuff of Le Mans folklore.
The following morning we were up early and £995 over to per the person circuit for bookings made before 31 December 2012.
for the ‘Aston Martin Festival’ support race. Preceded After 1 January by a £1,195 A per pit-stop person. for CTR guests back at La Gite de la Ferme and a
parade lap featuring the legendary 1959 Le Mans-winning 50% deposit required DBR1 to superb confirm BBQ booking. supper was Remaining followed balance by a visit due to by the 30th Arnage April
driven by Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, this 31-car single- and Indianapolis corners at dusk, and then our traditional
marque race was a fantastic showcase of Aston To Martin confirm racers your booking rendezvous or for more at information, the Crepe Grand please Marnier contact tent us in on: the
which included a fabulous DBR9 GT1, a V12 Zagato 0208 741 and 8822 various or info@clubtertrerouge.co.uk
circuit village.

FEATURE
July: New Vanquish unveiling,
London Film Museum, Covent Garden
27 9
FULLBORE
2012;
A SOCIAL rEVIEW
FROM KUWAIT TO KEW AND FROM NEWPORT PAGNELL TO UPTON LOVELL, 2012 HAS BEEN
A VINTAGE yEAR FOR MOTORING EVENTS BOTH HERE IN THE UK AND FURTHER AFIELD.

FEATURE : 2012; A SOCIAL REVIEW
July: Prince Leopold pub Classics and September: Windsor Castle Concours d’Elegance, Berkshire »
Supercar Day, Upton Lovell, Wiltshire
With considerably more free time available since we put our
racing activities on hold, we at NM&Co have much enjoyed
attending a number of them. Apart from being plain good
fun, they also provide us with the opportunity to meet our
customers while also extending our presence within the Aston
Martin community.
Events we were present at this year included the Kuwait, Salon
Privé and Windsor Castle Concours d’Elegances, the British
28
Classic Car Meeting at St. Moritz, the Chelsea AutoLegends, the
London unveiling of the new Vanquish, the Bonhams Aston
Martin auction and, not least, the Prince Leopold pub’s classic
car meeting near Warminster.
And with a number of events in the planning to celebrate Aston
Martin’s centenary year, 2013 is lining up to be even more of a
memorable social whirl!
FULLBORE

FEATURE : 3
29
27
« September: Chelsea AutoLegends, The Royal Hospital, London
FULLBORE
February: Kuwait Concours d’Elegance, Marina World, Kuwait City

FEATURE : 3
September: Salon Privé,
Syon Park, West London
30
27
FULLBORE

FEATURE : 2012; A SOCIAL REVIEW
July: British Classic Car Meeting, Engadin, nr St. Moritz, Switzerland
31
May: Bonhams Aston Martin sale, Works Service, Newport Pagnell »
FULLBORE

ASTON MARTIN ARCHIVE
LIONEL MARTIN COMPETES IN AM 270
32
This long-chassis (no. B2) tourer – the final Singer-based prototype
Aston Martin – was powered by a 1,909cc side valve engine. In
addition to it being road-tested by The Motor and Autocar in 1921,
Martin took a debut win at Brooklands and gold medals in the
Land’s End and Edinburgh trials that same year.
FULLBORE
AM 270 was subsequently road-tested by the works over many
thousands of miles and successfully raced and hillclimbed from
1921-23, usually with Martin at the wheel. In 1924 the car was sold
to a Miss Pink who drove it to further success at the Shelsley Walsh
and Spread Eagle hillclimbs.
Photo from Lionel Martin’s own album, reproduced here with the kind permission of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust: www.amht.org.uk