The 18th Annual Aston Martin Auction took place at the old Factory and raised over £5 million.

The 18th annual Aston Martin Sale, held at Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell and hosted by international auction house Bonhams, achieved over £5 Million last weekend.

One of the surprise stars of the show was a 1996 Aston Martin V8 Sportsman Estate Car, one of only three created, originally converted to its shooting brake format at Aston Martin Works. The rather unique and bespoke Aston Martin sold for an incredible £337,500.

Another highlight was a 1964 Aston Martin DB5, which took £561,500, making it the top lot of the day. The iconic car drew many bids and eventually went to a telephone bidder who now owns a piece of automotive history. 

Other early ‘DB’ models proved popular: a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 ‘Series III’ 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon achieving £399,100 and a 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 Vantage Sports Saloon selling for £382,300.

The 2017 Aston Martin Sale also celebrated more modern cars. A 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante ‘X-Pack’ 7.0-Litre, achieved £387,900 after a long bidding exchange between two keen bidders whilst the 1997 Aston Martin Vantage V600 Coupé realised £253,500 and the 2000 Aston Martin Vantage Le Mans Coupé sold for £309,500.

Aston Martin President and CEO, Dr Andy Palmer said: ““We are very proud of our heritage at Aston Martin so it is fascinating to hear about the histories of the cars that come up for sale at these auctions. Some of our cars have led extremely interesting lives.”

Tim Schofield, Head of Bonhams Motoring Department added: “Even in our 18th year at Aston Martin Works, we are seeing a continued interest and enthusiasm for our sale. Bonhams prides itself on the breadth of its offerings at auction, and despite its single-marque status, this sale is no different. With lots ranging from a barn-find projects to race-ready lightweight competition cars, this sale had something for all admirers of the Aston Martin and Lagonda marques. We look forward to continued success at our Festival of Speed sale on 30 June.”

New cars haven’t been built at Aston Martin Works since 2007 when production moved to Gaydon. Aston Martin Works devotes unrivalled skill and experience to preserving Aston Martin’s heritage but this year that is set to change. It was announced late last year that the iconic DB4 G.T. would be brought back to life by Aston Martin Works, making it the first Aston Martin to built at Newport Pagnell since 2007. Just 25 track-only continuation cars will be built.

Jaguar started the trend, now Aston Martin are rebuilding a continuation model the DB4 GT.

• Iconic DB4 G.T. brought back to life by Aston Martin Works
• Cars will be built at Newport Pagnell - home of the original DB4 G.T.
• Strictly limited to 25 track-only cars
• Newport Pagnell production re-starts after 10 years

One of Aston Martin’s most iconic models – the  DB4 G.T. - is to be celebrated with a special series of 25 track-only continuation cars built to lightweight specification by Aston Martin Works at Newport Pagnell.

Launched in 1959, the DB4 G.T. was immediately celebrated as one of the rarest and most revered of all Aston Martins. 

Evolved from the production DB4 and introduced in the same year Aston Martin scored its historic outright win in the Le Mans 24 Hours, the DB4 G.T. was a true supercar of its day. 

Shorter, lighter, sleeker and with a more powerful version of the legendary 3.7-litre straight-six engine, not only was the DB4 G.T. Britain’s fastest passenger sports car, it was a born winner, scoring a debut race victory at Silverstone in the hands of Sir Stirling Moss.

A total of 75 DB4 G.T.s were built between 1959 and 1963. Of these only eight were lightweight models, most of which survive today, and values now comfortably exceed £3m.

Remaining faithful to the design of those original eight factory lightweights, each DB4 G.T. Continuation will be built with Aston Martin Works’ unrivalled experience and exemplary attention. 

Employing a blend of old world craftsmanship and modern techniques, continuation cars benefit from improvements in engine performance, handling, braking and safety, with great care taken to ensure these enhancements build upon the original’s exceptional qualities while retaining its feel and character.

Underlining that authenticity are the continuation car VIN numbers, which carry on from the last original DB4 G.T. ordered - Chassis 0202R - for an unbroken bloodline and impeccable Newport Pagnell-built pedigree spanning half a century.  

At its heart is a version of the celebrated Tadek Marek-designed straight-six cylinder engine with two spark plugs per cylinder, transmitting its 340bhp to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential, just as in the original DB4 G.T. 

Thanks to its shortened wheelbase the DB4 G.T. is a strict two-seater blessed with greater agility than the regular four-seater DB4. Its body follows the original construction, with thin-gauge aluminum panels fitted over a tubular frame. 

To improve the accuracy and consistency of the panels, the continuation car’s bodywork uses state-of-the-art digital technology, before being hand-finished in time-honoured tradition. 

Fittingly for a car created to celebrate one of Aston Martin’s most illustrious competition models, the DB4 G.T. 

Continuation is built to be enjoyed on track. 

Aston Martin Works has created a two-year international track driving programme held at a number of the world’s finest race tracks, including the spectacular Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. 

The ultimate arrive-and-drive experience, customers may also take advantage of Aston Martin’s dedicated driver training team. Comprised of expert instructors, including Aston Martin Racing’s multiple Le Mans class winner (and Goodwood Revival regular) Darren Turner, they will help customers master driving techniques from an era when track driving was more art than science.

Paul Spires, Commercial Director, Aston Martin Works said of the DB4 G.T. Continuation programme: “For over 60 years Aston Martin Works has devoted unrivalled skill and experience to preserving Aston Martin’s heritage. 

Now we are creating something for the future, with a special series of 25 continuation cars that celebrate one of Aston Martin’s greatest cars - the DB4 G.T. Lightweight.

“Built in our recently refurbished, state-of-the-art facilities in Newport Pagnell, the DB4 G.T. Continuation is hand built in the same location as its illustrious forebears, and marks the return of production to the historic home of Aston Martin for the first time since the last Vanquish S was completed in 2007. 

Combining the authenticity of a hand-crafted David Brown era car with sympathetic application of modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements, the DB4 G.T. Continuation is a fusion of classic design and contemporary methods.

“The result is a truly remarkable machine. One that offers 25 individuals the opportunity of commissioning a classic, built to modern day standards and ready to be enjoyed in an international track driving programme as bespoke and individual as the cars themselves.”

Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and CEO commented: “Aston Martin has a rich and vibrant heritage, as you’d expect from a company that has been building some of the world’s finest sports cars for 103-years. 

Of those the DB4 G.T. stands proud as one of the most coveted of all. It’s a mark of Aston Martin’s breadth of abilities that in the same year we launched the DB11 - our most advanced ‘DB’ production car ever - we can also embark on an adventure such as the DB4 G.T. Continuation. 

A project that taps into the unique passion and skills that exist within Aston Martin, I’m thrilled we have the imagination and capability to offer 25 enthusiasts the unique opportunity to commission their own piece of Aston Martin history.” 

First deliveries of DB4 G.T. Continuation will commence in QTR 3 2017.

The Names Martin, Aston Martin, and here is my new car, the DB10, visiting a dealership near you soon !

The Aston Martin DB10 built exclusively for James Bond in the forthcoming movie, Spectre, roared into Newport Pagnell on Saturday as part of a tour of the British sport car maker’s UK dealers.

The relaxed, family-friendly, event saw more than 500 people visit Aston Martin Works to get a close-up view of the exclusive new sports car. DB10 is limited to just ten examples, all of which are used in the highly anticipated new Bond film which premieres in London on Monday October 26.

Stunt driver Mark Higgins – the man behind the wheel for the extreme driving scenes in three Bond films – was also at Saturday’s event to share his fascinating insights into both the making of Spectre and the experience of driving the exclusive DB10.

Aside from the rare chance to see the stunning Aston Martin DB10 ‘in the metal’, visitors to the historic Newport Pagnell site were treated to a display of one of the immaculate Aston Martin DB5s used in the previous blockbuster Bond film, Skyfall. 

Guests also had the chance to put their own driving skills to the test behind the wheel of an Aston Martin sports car in a Sony PS4 simulator challenge, with prizes for the fastest laps in both the morning and afternoon sessions.

Aston Martin Works Managing Director, Paul Spires, said: “The whole day was a superb occasion. I was thrilled to see so many of our customers come along to see for themselves the incredible DB10.

“It was also a real delight to see so many youngsters – potential Aston Martin customers of the future – join us on the day.”

Rare barn find Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark III to be recommissioned by automotive excellence company CMC.

A 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark III, which has lain dormant in storage for over 35 years, is to be restored by leading classic car restoration company Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth (CMC).

The DB2/4 was recently purchased from the Bonham’s Newport Pagnell Aston Martin works sale on behalf of a client. The car was sold for £104,540, going over its estimate of £30-50k.

“The car was an attractive restoration project in 1977 when it entered storage, despite the fact that it had lead a hard life,” said Nick Goldthorp, Managing Director of CMC, “There were splits in the front suspension turrets which had been welded and crash damage to the offside body and rear chassis which were repaired at the time. But it would now appear that the chassis needs re-aligning.”

Nick added: “The Aston needs a total restoration, which will begin in October 2015 and we expect to complete by Spring 2017. We have recently added a mobile Globaljig body measuring and alignment system to our set of tools, which will be perfect for chassis alignment.

 “We have an international reputation for Jaguar restorations and will apply the same principles and attention to detail to any classic car that enters our workshops. This Aston will be an exciting project and another challenge for CMC, which we are all looking forward to.”

ASTON MARTIN Works hosts exclusive celebration track day at Silverstone.

• One-77, V12 Zagato and DBRS9 take to Silverstone circuit
• Customers from across Europe travel with their sports cars
• Event continues Works’ year-long diamond jubilee celebrations  

In its 60^th year, Aston Martin Works this week hosted a celebration customer track day at the world-renowned Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire.

Works’ clients from across the UK and Continental Europe enjoyed the rare opportunity to put their Aston Martin sports cars to the test on one of the world’s most famous motor racing circuits.

The private event, at which owners savored the chance to test out the true performance potential of their sports cars, saw some of the luxury British brand’s most iconic models put through their paces. 

Among the cars in action were a One-77, a V12 Zagato and an example of the DBRS9 race car. They lined up alongside V8 and V12 Vantages; DB9s, a Virage and a Newport Pagnell-built original Vanquish, among much else.

Commenting on the event Aston Martin Works’ Commercial Director Paul Spires said: “It’s great to see so many of our sports cars being driven so skillfully by such an enthusiastic group of owners.

“When we proposed this idea at the beginning of the year we weren't sure how many people would want to bring along their cars, but the response today has been superb and I believe all involved have had an experience to remember.”

More than 20 Aston Martin sports cars took part, with drivers coached and tutored as required by a group of experienced Aston Martin Performance Driving Instructors.

Record breaking Spring concours backed by Aston Martin Works.

The Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) held its annual Spring Concours event – the blue riband of competitions for Aston Martin owners – on Sunday 10 May, with support from Aston Martin Works.

The annual Spring gathering of Aston Martin owners from across the UK and further afield, was this year staged in the elegant grounds of Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire, just a few miles from the historic home of Aston Martin in Newport Pagnell.

This year’s Concours was the largest to date with around 350 cars on show and was attended by Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer. For the first time, the Concours included a special class dedicated to the limited edition Aston Martin Works 60^th Anniversary Vanquish.

Five of the six Anniversary Vanquish models were entered in the event, with Aston Martin Works’ Commercial Director Paul Spires presenting the trophy to happy winning owner Jeremy Levinson.

Mark Donoghue, Chairman and Chief Judge of the AMOC Concours said: “Today’s record event has once again raised the bar for our activities and I’m very happy that so many Aston Martin owners could join us here at Woburn.

“We included the Aston Martin Works’ Anniversary class in honour of the 60^th anniversary and were thrilled to see these special cars on display here today.”

Also drawing the crowds at Woburn was the new Lagonda Taraf super saloon. The finest of fast cars made its UK debut at Aston Martin Works just 24 hours prior to the Spring Concours and continued to generate considerable attention among Aston Martin owners and enthusiasts at the glamorous event.

Paul Spires, Commercial Director at Aston Martin Works, said: “Just 24 hours after the 16^th annual Bonhams auction at Aston Martin Works, the AMOC Spring Concours has been another great day for all of us in the Aston Martin ‘family’ and I’m really pleased that we have been able to mark Works’ 60^th anniversary with this special Concours class.”

Happy 60th Anniversary Aston Martin, here is to a bright, modern and supercar future.

Hundreds of VIP customers and guests were in Newport Pagnell on Friday last week (12 December) for the launch of Aston Martin Works’ 60^th anniversary celebrations.

More than 400 guests from across the UK and continental Europe made their way to the historic home of Aston Martin for the pre-Christmas party – which also marked the launch of the dealership’s exclusive 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Vanquish sports car.

Just six of the 60^th Anniversary edition Vanquish models – created by the Aston Martin design team and the brand’s bespoke personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin – will be built, and the majority have already been snapped up by collectors keen to own a piece of Works’ heritage. 

Stars of the show at the launch event in Buckinghamshire on Friday also included a number of the rarest and most sought-after Aston Martin models, with pride of place shared by cars selected to reflect the brand’s six decade-long association with Newport Pagnell.

Among the cars on display was an iconic Aston Martin DB5; the DBS which starred alongside Tony Curtis and Roger Moore in 70s TV show The Persuaders; and an original Vanquish – the last model to be made at the Newport Pagnell factory before production moved to the brand’s headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, in 2007.

Announcing the launch of the 60^th anniversary celebrations and revealing the limited edition sports car, Aston Martin Works Commercial Director, Paul Spires, said: “Designed by Marek Reichman and his team these limited edition Vanquish sports cars are a celebration of 60 glorious years of Aston Martin at Newport Pagnell.

“Strictly limited to just six cars, each one representing a decade of our operations here, these are truly ultra-rare collectors’ items and a fitting beginning to our year-long celebrations.”

Aston Martin Works will be holding a number of anniversary celebration events throughout 2015, and full details of all the activities will be announced over the months ahead.