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Spy Shots: ‘Ring-bound Aston Martin One-77 begs the question – Who is Dirty Shirley?

On September 7, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin

“Dirty Shirley” Aston Martin One-77 spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you’re thinking, “This car looks familiar,” it’s because we’ve seen it before. The Aston Martin One-77 continues to tease us with its beauty, power and exclusivity, and our spies have caught the bronze test car out on the Nürburgring once again. This time, though, One-77 isn’t its only name.

Whoever Dirty Shirley is, she should be honored to know that her name has been given to Aston’s super-rare One-77. Even so, if this name is just Aston’s way of getting closer to its prototypes, so be it, because honestly, we can’t think of a more appropriate name.

For the sake of drooling, we’ll remind you yet again that only 77 of these darlings will be made, packing a lordly 7.3-liter V12 good for over 700 horsepower. Top speed is somewhere north of 220 miles per hour, and the whole thing retails for a lofty $1.8 million. Stay dirty, Shirley.

Gallery: Dirty Shirley Aston Martin One-77

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: ‘Ring-bound Aston Martin One-77 begs the question – Who is Dirty Shirley? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: aston • Aston Martin • Aston Martin One-77 • aston martin one-77 testing • AstonMartin • AstonMartinOne-77 • AstonMartinOne-77Testing • dirty shirley • DirtyShirley • Nurburgring • One-77 • spy photos • spy pics • spy shots • SpyPhotos • SpyPics • SpyShots

Lagonda crossover reportedly scrapped in favor of Rapide-based sedan

On September 6, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury

Aston Martin Rapide – Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin Lagonda hasn’t lacked for four-door models in its history, but its latest efforts have had us all scratching our heads in bewilderment. Instead of badging the Rapide as a Lagonda model, the four-door DB9 derivative came to market instead as an Aston. Meanwhile, the Lagonda badge was resurrected for an odd crossover concept that, let’s just say, wasn’t warmly received after its unveiling at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

Subsequent reports indicated that the Lagonda concept – reportedly based on a Mercedes platform – was heading back to the drawing boards. The latest reports, however, indicate a different approach. Apparently the crossover has been canned entirely, but that doesn’t mean the dormant half of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd is going back to sleep.

In response to customer complaints that the Rapide was lacking in rear-seat legroom (and it is pretty cramped back there), AML is now reportedly preparing to enlarge the four-door coupe into a more accommodating form that will bear the Lagonda name in the crossover’s stead. Sources place the sedan’s arrival no sooner than four years from now, so your long-legged friends will have to wait a while longer before they can stretch out in the back of Gaydon’s finest.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Aston Martin Rapide

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Aston Martin Lagonda Concept

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Lagonda crossover reportedly scrapped in favor of Rapide-based sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: aston • Aston Martin • aston martin lagonda • aston martin rapide • aston rapide • AstonMartin • AstonMartinLagonda • AstonMartinRapide • AstonRapide • lagonda rapide • LagondaRapide • rapide

Rare Aston Martin DB5 convertible drives $5.6 Million in sales at Goodwood

On July 8, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Auctions, Aston Martin, Misc. Auto Shows, UK

1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery

Britain has produced more than its fair share of memorable classics, but arguably few as seductive as the classic Aston Martins of the 1960s. Introduced in 1963, the DB5 benefited from several generations of DB4 development, largely retaining the Touring bodywork but replacing the old 3.6-liter engine with a new 4.0-liter unit and several other advancements.

Over two years of production, over a thousand DB5s were built, the vast majority of coupes outselling the 12 Radford coachbuilt shooting brakes and the 23 convertibles. Of those few roadsters, only nine were outfitted with the more powerful Vantage engine, and one of them has just sold for a record £551,500 ($833k) at the Bonhams auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The example in question, with original “VDB 5″ license plates, had three previous owners who saw it through two comprehensive restorations (one at the Aston Martin Works Service in 1992 and another at Aston Service Hamburg in 2004), and was displayed last year at Villa d’Este.

Along with the DB5 Vantage Convertible (the Volante name only coming into use on the subsequent DB6), Bonhams also auctioned off the 1937 Bentley featured in the Bond film “Never Say Never Again” for £221,500 ($335k), a rare Lister-Jaguar for £232,500 ($351k) and several more, totaling £3,707,687 ($5.6m) in sales. Details in the press release after the jump, with photos of the beautiful Aston in the gallery below.

Gallery: 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible

[Source: Bonhams]

Continue reading Rare Aston Martin DB5 convertible drives $5.6 Million in sales at Goodwood

Rare Aston Martin DB5 convertible drives $5.6 Million in sales at Goodwood originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible • 1965AstonMartinDb5VantageConvertible • aston • aston db5 • Aston Martin • aston martin db5 • Aston Martin DB5 Vantage • Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible • AstonDb5 • AstonMartin • AstonMartinDb5 • AstonMartinDb5Vantage • AstonMartinDb5VantageConvertible • Bonhams • db5 • goodwood • goodwood festival of speed • GoodwoodFestivalOfSpeed

Aston Martin releases new N420 edition V8 Vantage

On July 6, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, UK

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 – Click above for high-res image gallery

You remember the Vantage N400? Aston Martin released the special-edition sportscar back in 2007 to commemorate the success of its Vantage N24 racer at the Nürburgring. It packed 400 horsepower, a series of suspension tweaks and some special cosmetic touches. Unfortunately, Aston only produced 240 examples of the ‘N’, all of which have long since sold out. But now it’s back. With a vengeance.

Whereas the previous N400 upgraded the stock 380 horsepower to 400, the new N420 – based on the current, post-2008 updated Vantage – carries over the stock 420-horse mill. Suspension upgrades come courtesy of the otherwise optional Sports Pack, here fitted as standard equipment, along with a special exhaust unique to the N420. A new front splitter, side skirts and diffuser are made of carbon fiber, unique wheels are fitted along with black mesh grille inserts, and 27 kilograms (60 pounds) have been trimmed from the curb weight. Upgrades have also been carried out to the interior, and buyers can choose from a range of “race collection” paint schemes.

Like its predecessor, the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 will be sold in coupe or roadster format and available with either six-speed manual or Sportshift semi-automatic transmissions. Deliveries will begin next month in the UK, the £96,995 price tag (that’s over $147,000 USD but includes the UK’s hefty Value Added Tax) represents a £13,804 ($21k) premium over the base model, which sells in the UK for £83,191 (equivalent to $126k at today’s exchange rates) and in the United States for $119,500. Details in the press release after the jump, high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin releases new N420 edition V8 Vantage

Aston Martin releases new N420 edition V8 Vantage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: 2011 aston martin v8 vantage n420 • 2011AstonMartinV8VantageN420 • aston • Aston Martin • aston martin v8 vantage • aston martin v8 vantage n420 • aston v8 vantage • aston vantage • AstonMartin • AstonMartinV8Vantage • AstonMartinV8VantageN420 • AstonV8Vantage • AstonVantage • n420 • v8 vantage • v8 vantage n420 • V8Vantage • V8VantageN420 • Vantage • vantage n420 • VantageN420

Officially Official: Aston Martin refreshes the DB9

On June 28, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury

2011 Aston Martin DB9 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite the fact that few people would actually argue that the Aston Martin DB9 really needed a nip and tuck, that’s exactly what it’s getting for 2011. Given how well the DB9 has held up over the last seven years, the changes have been kept pretty discreet. The lower front grille has been reshaped and new mesh inserts have been added, while the rocker panel crease now sweeps up into the rear wheel arches.

Mechanically, the DB9’s 6.0-liter V12 powertrain has been carried over, as has its 470 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. The most significant upgrade for 2011 is the adoption of an adaptive damping system similar to the one already available on the DBS and Rapide. Thanks to the improved handling offered by the damping system, Aston has decided to drop the Sport Pack previously available on the DB9. Production of the upgraded models has already started and customers should be getting the new cars in the coming weeks.

Gallery: 2011 Aston Martin DB9

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Officially Official: Aston Martin refreshes the DB9

Officially Official: Aston Martin refreshes the DB9 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: 2011 Aston Martin • 2011 aston martin db9 • 2011 DB9 • 2011AstonMartin • 2011AstonMartinDb9 • 2011Db9 • 2011FordFiesta • aston • Aston Martin • aston martin db9 • aston martin dbs volante • AstonMartin • AstonMartinDb9 • AstonMartinDbsVolante • db9 • db9 volante • Db9Volante • volante

Reunion for four of Bond’s Astons planned at Stoke Park Club

On June 9, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury

Four of Agent 007’s Aston Martins

Before the original Aston Martin DB5 Bond-mobile goes on the auction block this Fall, it and three other Astons from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s will get together for a party in the UK. The DBS, Vanquish, and V8 Vantage Volante from Quantum of Solace, Die Another Day and The Living Daylights will be on hand for the Midsummer Classic at the Stoke Park Club.

The Stoke Park Club is hardly new to Agent 007, having been a setting in at least two Bond flicks among other lesser known films. The absence of the original DBS from 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and the V8 Vantage coupe from The Living Daylights means this isn’t quite a complete set, but it’s close enough. Now we just need to bring together the Lotus Esprits and assorted BMWs from the middle years of Bond for a more complete retrospective.

Gallery: James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5

Gallery: Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace

Gallery: Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante

Gallery: Aston Martin Vanquish

[Source: MotoBullet]

Reunion for four of Bond’s Astons planned at Stoke Park Club originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: aston • Aston Martin • aston martin dbs volante • Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster • Aston Martin Vanquish V12 • AstonMartin • AstonMartinDbsVolante • AstonMartinV8VantageRoadster • AstonMartinVanquishV12 • bond aston • bond aston martin • bond aston martin reunion • BondAston • BondAstonMartin • BondAstonMartinReunion • DBS • dbs volante • DbsVolante • james bond • JamesBond • v8 vantage • v8 vantage roadster • V8Vantage • V8VantageRoadster

Aston Martin looks set to flood Le Mans grids with new prototype

On June 7, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Motorsports, Aston Martin, Racing

Lola-Aston Martin LMP1 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Since returning to the sportscar racing scene in 2005, Aston Martin Racing has expanded its scope to cover every category of GT racing from the GT4-spec Vantage to the GT1-spec DBR9. But few were prepared for the full-on assault the British outfit launched last year in the top-tier, winner-takes-all LMP1 category.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the last Aston Martin overall victory at Le Mans, the team shoehorned the V12 engine from the victorious DBR9 into an existing Lola chassis with support from veteran LMP1 campaigners Charouz Racing System. The Aston-powered Lolas emerged among the most successful gasoline-powered entries (behind the diesel-powered Audis and Peugeots). But that was only a stop-gap measure. This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans – set to kick off next weekend – is slated to be the last time Aston uses the Lola chassis before it launches its own.

Developed by Aston’s racing partner Prodrive – directed by Aston chairman David Richards – the ground-up Le Mans prototype is set to take to the track next year. But Aston won’t be keeping the fun all to itself. According to the latest reports, the factory works team will field two cars of its own, and sell an additional two cars to a privateer team next year and then another two in 2012. If Aston can find an edge against the longer-running diesels – this is an endurance race, after all – or if the series organizers find an effective way of equalizing the performance between the fuel types, a field of six Aston prototypes stand a good chance of topping the podium within the next couple of years.

Gallery: Lola-Aston-Martin LMP1

[Source: Autosport]

Aston Martin looks set to flood Le Mans grids with new prototype originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: aston • Aston Martin • aston martin lola • aston martin racing • AstonMartin • AstonMartinLola • AstonMartinRacing • charouz • charouz racing system • CharouzRacingSystem • le mans • le mans prototype • LeMans • LeMansPrototype • lmp1 • lola • prodrive

James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 expected to top $5 Million at auction

On June 2, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Aston Martin

James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 – Click above for high-res image mega gallery

The mantle of “world’s most famous car” is a heavy one indeed. But if any single automobile ever created deserved the honorific, surely it’s the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 used on-screen in the production of the iconic 007 films Goldfinger and Thunderball. And in case you were disappointed at having missed the opportunity to get your hands on one of the stunt cars, the real thing is now up for grabs in London, where RM and Sotheby’s will be auctioning it off to the highest bidder.

The car in question was prepared by Aston Martin for use in the Bond films. After that it went back to the manufacturer, which then sold it to radio host and philanthropist Jerry Lee, who’s been holding onto it for the past 40+ years. In pursuit of his charitable work, Lee is finally putting the car up for sale, with bids expecting to top $5 million when it goes under the hammer on October 27.

One of only two made and the only one still in existence, the custom DB5 comes packed with all the extras the Q-Branch installed for Bond’s use, from the revolving license plates and tracking device to the oil slick dispenser and smoke screen. You can check out all the details in the press release after the jump, along with the 100+ high-resolution image gallery that very well might be the largest we’ve ever compiled. Oh, and do be careful, Bond.

Gallery: James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5

[Source: RM Auctions]

Continue reading James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 expected to top $5 Million at auction

James Bond’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 expected to top $5 Million at auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: 007 • 1964 aston martin db5 • 1964AstonMartinDb5 • aston • Aston Martin • aston martin db5 • AstonMartin • AstonMartinDb5 • Auction • bond • goldfinger • james bond • JamesBond • rm • RM Auctions • RmAuctions • sothebys • thunderball

Bonhams auction at Aston Martin Works Service most successful yet

On May 28, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Aston Martin, UK

11th Annual Bonhams Auction at Aston Martin Works Service – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you want to get your hands on a pristine or historically significant vintage Aston Martin, there’s only one place to go: Bonhams‘ auction at the old Works Service in Newport Pagnell. Think of it as the Aston equivalent to RM’s event at Maranello every year. It’s been held for the past 11 years running, and this year’s was the most successful yet with £4.7 million ($6.8M USD) in sales.

Among the lots that rolled across the auction block were a 1950 DB2 raced by Sir Stirling Moss (£513,000/$740k) and a mint-condition ‘68 DB6 that went for £124,700 ($180k). The Goldfinger DB4 sold for a more modest £84,000 ($121k) – but even that doubled it’s low £40-50k pre-sale expectations, capping a day of sales far exceeding their estimated values. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Bonhams Auction at Aston Martin Works Service

[Source: Bonhams]

Continue reading Bonhams auction at Aston Martin Works Service most successful yet

Bonhams auction at Aston Martin Works Service most successful yet originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 May 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagged with: aston • Aston Martin • aston martin lagonda • aston martin lagonda limited • aston martin works service • AstonMartin • AstonMartinLagonda • AstonMartinLagondaLimited • AstonMartinWorksService • Auction • Bonhams • lagonda • newport pagnell • NewportPagnell

Video: White Aston Martin One-77 goes for a spin

On May 3, 2010, in AutoBlog, by PowerBeautySoul

Filed under: Videos, Aston Martin

Click above to watch the video after the jump

When a pearly white Aston Martin One-77 arrived with a convoy celebrating Silverstone’s new grand prix circuit, we couldn’t help but let out a few excited giggles. After all, we’re talking about the handmade, exceedingly rare, V12-powered super Aston of our wildest dreams. In white.

After the jump is video of the One-77 trolling around the UK in an easy search of people willing to stand and stare at its awesomeness. We should warn you that the nearly three minutes of video isn’t nearly as exciting as the audibly sexy test footage we showed you a couple months back, but it’s an Aston One-77, it’s white, and it makes us drool. Enjoy.

Gallery: Aston Martin One-77