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Aston Martin at Pebble Beach

ED209
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The recent posts by Riddler on his Aston Martin Rapide and Bill on his DB9 reminded to post pictures of the Aston Martin event a few months ago at Pebble Beach.  I joined several PuristSPro Moderators for a private event hosted by Aston Martin to test drive the Vanquish and Rapide.  The estate was beautiful however I was disappointed in the parking arrangements and having to see many exotic cars parked on a dusty sloped hillside.  Anyway, once we found a spot we checked in with the AM staff and waiting for our appointments.  Refreshments were served and in the waiting are there were these intricately detailed models of the current Aston Martin collection.  These scale models are made by Amalgam Fine Model Cars and is one of the most detailed automotive models I've seen (and they have prices that reflect the quality and detail).  Here's one with the Vanquish in Aviemore Blue paint.

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As you can see the interior details are superb and looks full scale in the pictures.


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Throughout the Monterey estate were several AM Vantage S, Vanquish and Roadsters in factory flat and glossy paint schemes.

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DB9 Volante in a a flat 'morning frost white' color.  Interior was decorated in monotone white trim.

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And I'm sure this would the first choice for DRMW our TimeOut Moderator, a V12 powered Vantage S in Sunburst Yellow colors. This 5935cc V12 powerplant produces 565bhp and 457lb/ft of torque.  Specs claim that this Vantage S can do 0 to 60mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 205mph.  Very impressive.

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Carbon fiber packages are available and include carbon mirrors, carbon front and rear air diffusers, and carbon side vents on the exterior.  While talking with the reps at AM they mentioned that a popular option is 'lipstick' which is a contrasting color along the front grill.  In the picture above you can see the black color line around the signature Aston martin grill really does look like black lipstick.  Below are pics of the carbon fiber package.

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TRG-Aston Marting Racing brought along their GT3 car.  There are changes in 2014 to the racing program with ALMS moving to a new series name the Tudor United SportsCar Championship.  The first race in 2014 will be the Rolex 24 at Daytona.  Aston Martin will also be participating in the IMSA Continental Tire Series and the Pirelli World Challenge.  IMHO, AM will have a tough challenge from the new C7R Corvette Racing Team but I'm sure it will be a series of exciting races.  I'm looking forward to the Grand Prix of Long Beach to see these race cars battle it out on the tracks.

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Another display had a really great full size engineering cutout where you can see the chassis and interior sheet metal on one side and a fully completed car on the other half side.

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Bond... James Bond.  The Aston Martin DB5 is a iconic car for agent 007.  I still remember watching the movie Goldfinger and seeing all cool gadgets like the bullet proof shield and the machine guns that extended out from under the front lights.

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The Aston Martin CC100 was created by their design team as a homage to AM's century of heritage but also reflects the future of the brand.  This was open to the guest to touch and sit behind the wheel to see what Aston has considered for the future.

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Full carbon fiber door was extremely lightweight with a angled upward sweeping opening.  Interior revealed the typical high grade leather interior and plenty of carbon fiber on the dash and center console.

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For my test drive around the Monterey Peninsula, I was lucky to get the V12 Vanquish.  My prior experience with Aston Martin was a last year when I had an opportunity to join the Wandering PuristS in an extended drive in the AM Virage Volante.   Comparing the two, the Vanquish is just as elegant but with more horsepower and torque. 

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To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, AM released the new V12 Zagato.  This car was first unveiled as a prototype at the 2011 Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance and now in production.  I can see the family resemblance between the designs, but overall the rounded shapes on the front and rear were not attractive to me.  I didn't care for the design of the large rear tail lights either.  But I do appreciate the amount of careful hand craftsmanship that goes into creating each of these unique V12 Zagatos. 

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Regards,
ED-209

Comments:
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DRMW December 31st, 2013-16:00
re: AM I like that yellow Vantage S, thanks for the report! -MW
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ED209 January 2nd, 2014-07:32
I knew you would like it Still not sure about the black 'lipstick' around the front grill but it's a great looking car in yellow. Regards, ED-209
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WTA December 31st, 2013-19:55
Great photos A very good report. I felt that I was with you in the event :) As for the cars, they look superb and well,no comment on it. Happy New Year. May 2014 bring joy and happiness to you and yours. Thank you very much. WTA
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ED209 January 2nd, 2014-07:34
Thanks, glad you liked the report Thanks WTA, it was a fun event and glad you like the report. Happy New Year and best wishes to you for a fantastic 2014! Regards, ED-209
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patrick_y January 1st, 2014-03:02
Epic Aston Martin Post! It's nice to relive your August Aston Martin Experience isn't it? Thanks for posting this delightful post. That yellow V12 Vantage would be a good car for our TimeOut moderator DRMW. But somehow it seems he got another Porsche.
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ED209 January 2nd, 2014-07:35
Aston Martin experience Thanks Patrick and it was fun hanging out with you at the event. How did you like the test drive? Any favorite AM's? Regards, ED-209
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patrick_y January 2nd, 2014-10:54
The test-drive... I'm not the target market for the Aston Martin car, but I thought the Vanquish I test drove was a unique experience, but not something I loved in terms of raw performance. The Pros: 1. The Vanquish looks great in the front and side, the back is not as pre... 
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foversta January 1st, 2014-06:06
Thanks a lot Ed for the superb report! A lot of dreamcars inside! Fx
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ED209 January 2nd, 2014-07:36
Lots to dream about Thanks foversta, it was cool to see all those wonderful cars. Even the CC100 was awesome and we got to touch and sit in it too. Regards, ED-209
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ThomasM January 1st, 2014-12:23
very cool model, ed! the details are amazing! but what I want to know is, what's that cool Vale 46 tshirt in the background? :-) thanks for the great post and pics!
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bimbeano
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All but Porsches !

bimbeano
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The 50th birthday of the 911 is celebrated worldwide, also in Brussels. This evening i went to the exhibition at the Autoworld Expo " From Electric to Eclectic" ! The opening pic shows us the probably most legendary streetPorsche ever; the 1972/73 911 RS 2.7 downstairs were some current classic racers all based on 70 and 80ies 911's. 7 Models of 911 lined up ... Ur-911 911 from the eighties 964 993 996 997 991 Difficult to pick a favorite, i DO like the newest 991, but it should be an air-cooled one ...


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