Factory Visit to see my V12VR on the line and other updates
Discussion
First attempt to post photos - hope it worked. Took about 50 but uploading taking a while...
Anyway, took a new DB9 coupe down from Stratstone Wilmslow at Noon - Martin from Stratstone drove down, I drove back. Very impressive cruiser, though absolutely no drama without the Sport button on ! But whilst the autp box was very good indeed as autos go, I couldn't have an Aston with TT unless perhaps it was a DD, in a stable including a manual or SS Aston
Back to the visit. Before talking about my car, other things observed. There were about 7 or 8 V12VRs on the line in various stages and it appears it's getting to the very end of production - last few now I think. Sorry I got no chassis numbers & plaques weren't on yet. Saw a lightning silver, one we thought was skyfall, a couple in black, one or two in various greys, mostly black interiors. Believe they have built a 'special colour' bright yellow and one of the racing greens or similar.
Lot of vanquishes on the line too and plenty of DB9s. A few V12Vs and a small mix of rapides & V8s.
Q being utilised a lot, particularly on vanquish, most particularly on trim options
Specifically on V12V, I asked about the tyre pressure sensors as Silverspeed had a query re: his. It seems that V12VR has the older system of colour coded tyre valves & the box slung under the glovebox. Apparently whilst V8 moved to the in-dash system some time ago, all V12Vs, coupe or roadster have the older system, because v12 coupe simply never updated to take it and of course the roadster is based on the coupe
Also re wind deflector which apparently some have had a problem with, could get nothing out of the factory but they are looking into it for me
I got to see my car just one 'move' before the marriage, so stayed another 25 minutes to see tit - took plenty of photos before, during & after. Really lovely pleasant helpful staff I spoke to all along the line. Downside was that I couldn't see the seats, interior panels, gearstick, wheels, etc as they hadn't been fitted - a lot of them are Q hence me being keen to see them. I did however go to the trim area and saw some of the diamond stitch quilted leather they had prepared for my car. Am told an awful lot is prepared on a 'just in time' basis. We weren't sure beforehand how much they might fit/swap post-production but we are told pretty much everything will be done on the line. I also managed to find my painted bumpers on a rack
Finally, my full spec for those who are interested
Ceramic Grey (previous Aston colour)
Lords Red interior
Lightweight seats
Carbon pack
premium hifi
obsidian black carpets, hood & headlining
contrast silver coarse stitch including at 12'0 on steering wheel
all the usual CF exterior parts but bright grille & exhaust finishers
smokers pack
front parking sensors
black callipers
fitted umbrella
coarse silver stitch to floor carpets
I already have my old wind deflector
Q options are
quilted diamond stitch lords red leather inserts to inners of seats & door cards, with matched red fine stitch (contrast coarse silver stitch in single line on outline of seat)
lords red leather complete gearstick AND gaiter (using the gearstick from the V8 & V12Zag)
lords red leather trim to floor carpets (coarse silver stitched to same was a NCO)
lords red leather with coarse silver stitch umbrella holding straps
lords red leather with coarse silver stitch boot 'closing' strap (instead of the standard black)
fitted lords red leather 4 piece luggage (matched red stitch)
liquid silver wheels (normally only an option on the V12V coupe)
Swap out matt plastic door handles for piano black handles- keeping the CF long doorpulls with red leather inserts, just the handles being swapped.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/x96yGBND.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/rpOWByfr" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/rpOWByfr.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/cfX1zMwf" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/cfX1zMwf.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/6eUoWmwL" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/6eUoWmwL.jpg)
Anyway, took a new DB9 coupe down from Stratstone Wilmslow at Noon - Martin from Stratstone drove down, I drove back. Very impressive cruiser, though absolutely no drama without the Sport button on ! But whilst the autp box was very good indeed as autos go, I couldn't have an Aston with TT unless perhaps it was a DD, in a stable including a manual or SS Aston
Back to the visit. Before talking about my car, other things observed. There were about 7 or 8 V12VRs on the line in various stages and it appears it's getting to the very end of production - last few now I think. Sorry I got no chassis numbers & plaques weren't on yet. Saw a lightning silver, one we thought was skyfall, a couple in black, one or two in various greys, mostly black interiors. Believe they have built a 'special colour' bright yellow and one of the racing greens or similar.
Lot of vanquishes on the line too and plenty of DB9s. A few V12Vs and a small mix of rapides & V8s.
Q being utilised a lot, particularly on vanquish, most particularly on trim options
Specifically on V12V, I asked about the tyre pressure sensors as Silverspeed had a query re: his. It seems that V12VR has the older system of colour coded tyre valves & the box slung under the glovebox. Apparently whilst V8 moved to the in-dash system some time ago, all V12Vs, coupe or roadster have the older system, because v12 coupe simply never updated to take it and of course the roadster is based on the coupe
Also re wind deflector which apparently some have had a problem with, could get nothing out of the factory but they are looking into it for me
I got to see my car just one 'move' before the marriage, so stayed another 25 minutes to see tit - took plenty of photos before, during & after. Really lovely pleasant helpful staff I spoke to all along the line. Downside was that I couldn't see the seats, interior panels, gearstick, wheels, etc as they hadn't been fitted - a lot of them are Q hence me being keen to see them. I did however go to the trim area and saw some of the diamond stitch quilted leather they had prepared for my car. Am told an awful lot is prepared on a 'just in time' basis. We weren't sure beforehand how much they might fit/swap post-production but we are told pretty much everything will be done on the line. I also managed to find my painted bumpers on a rack
Finally, my full spec for those who are interested
Ceramic Grey (previous Aston colour)
Lords Red interior
Lightweight seats
Carbon pack
premium hifi
obsidian black carpets, hood & headlining
contrast silver coarse stitch including at 12'0 on steering wheel
all the usual CF exterior parts but bright grille & exhaust finishers
smokers pack
front parking sensors
black callipers
fitted umbrella
coarse silver stitch to floor carpets
I already have my old wind deflector
Q options are
quilted diamond stitch lords red leather inserts to inners of seats & door cards, with matched red fine stitch (contrast coarse silver stitch in single line on outline of seat)
lords red leather complete gearstick AND gaiter (using the gearstick from the V8 & V12Zag)
lords red leather trim to floor carpets (coarse silver stitched to same was a NCO)
lords red leather with coarse silver stitch umbrella holding straps
lords red leather with coarse silver stitch boot 'closing' strap (instead of the standard black)
fitted lords red leather 4 piece luggage (matched red stitch)
liquid silver wheels (normally only an option on the V12V coupe)
Swap out matt plastic door handles for piano black handles- keeping the CF long doorpulls with red leather inserts, just the handles being swapped.
jonby said:
I got to see my car just one 'move' before the marriage, so stayed another 25 minutes to see tit - took plenty of photos before, during & after.
Damn they are friendly at the factory, I would have waited too 
Sod the car, where are the photo's of that...
Sounds a great spec, can't wait to see and hear it on the way to Geneva
Cockernee said:
jonby said:
I got to see my car just one 'move' before the marriage, so stayed another 25 minutes to see tit - took plenty of photos before, during & after.
Damn they are friendly at the factory, I would have waited too Sod the car, where are the photo's of that...
Sounds a great spec, can't wait to see and hear it on the way to Geneva
Hi Jonby, I was at the factory today too for the tour at 2pm. Did you do the tour, there 7 of us but obviously didnt know who was who!
There was a bright yellow V12V destined for offshore but didnt get the chance to gain the last part of vin for my register.
Still, a great day, its just a fabulous place to be and I hate leaving!!
There was a bright yellow V12V destined for offshore but didnt get the chance to gain the last part of vin for my register.
Still, a great day, its just a fabulous place to be and I hate leaving!!
mikey k said:
Excellent
Are the tits a Q option?
What made you pick a black roof lining?
Well as you probably know, the black alcantara is actually grey (at least to me eyes), whether in the roof lining or the leather/alcantara seats. I actually enquired about the 'pure black' alcantara which is available on the vanquish & cygnet but was told it couldn't be done, I guess because the centre of the roof lining on the roadster is fabric not alcantara and they would need a fabric to matchAre the tits a Q option?
What made you pick a black roof lining?
As to why, well I know some poeple don't like dark coloured headlinings because they feel it makes the cabin too dark but I like the clsoed in feeling it brings. Of course I can have the contrast (as can you!) of opening the roof when the dark headlining doesn't become an issue but I do feel it is more practical on a roadster than a light coloured one, particularly on the A pillars, as it doesn't show discolouration as much
I had looked at a red carpet & headlining but once I went black for the carpet, this made sense - I can't tell you how much thought & discussion went into the overall spec !
Mako V12V said:
Hi Jonby, I was at the factory today too for the tour at 2pm. Did you do the tour, there 7 of us but obviously didnt know who was who!
There was a bright yellow V12V destined for offshore but didnt get the chance to gain the last part of vin for my register.
Still, a great day, its just a fabulous place to be and I hate leaving!!
What a shame we missed each other ! I saw the yellow coupe too. Tried getting info on numbers of V12VR in LHD/RHD, UK/Overseas, etc but they just weren't sure. There were a few V12 coupes on the line as well as a fair few V12 roadstersThere was a bright yellow V12V destined for offshore but didnt get the chance to gain the last part of vin for my register.
Still, a great day, its just a fabulous place to be and I hate leaving!!
I didn't do the tour but I may have seen you in reception ? I was in jeans & a black cardigan, with Martin from Stratstones & John from AM who was going to lead the afternoon tour but swapped with someone else to look after us. We arrived just after 2.30pm and were there until around 4ish from memory, maybe even a little later - we went to sit in one of the design rooms of the foyer after being in the factory
As you say, always a great place to go 1
Just following on from my original post, I should have said that it was commented a particularly large number of V12VR owners have been to see their cars on the line, I guess partly because such a high percentage are owner (rather than dealer) specified.
They mentioned that they have observed a different mix of people than the 'normal Aston owner mix' - apparently the vast majority of the V12VR owners they have met have come out of V8 or V12 Vantages (to keep alongside or replace with V12VR), are big Aston fans and have commented that the car is to be a real long term keeper. Not many of the buyers have been big collectors or buying as garage queens or to have 'the latest thing' and most have commented the cars will be covering plenty of miles. Really pleasing news IMO
I wonder how many we will ever see offered for sale in any given year ?
They mentioned that they have observed a different mix of people than the 'normal Aston owner mix' - apparently the vast majority of the V12VR owners they have met have come out of V8 or V12 Vantages (to keep alongside or replace with V12VR), are big Aston fans and have commented that the car is to be a real long term keeper. Not many of the buyers have been big collectors or buying as garage queens or to have 'the latest thing' and most have commented the cars will be covering plenty of miles. Really pleasing news IMO
I wonder how many we will ever see offered for sale in any given year ?
Great update - and bet you can't wait to get her home. If what you say is right it should mean very few cars come on the market and it will be good for residuals! I think it is fantastic that there chances of seeing another V12VR like your own one is pretty minimal.
The last I heard was that there were either 24 or 26 cars destined for the UK with the remainder going abroad and that all cars had been accounted for and no longer able to order one - did you hear anything on either of these points?
And lastly - what four pieces comprise your luggage set - and I presume they fit in the roadster.
The last I heard was that there were either 24 or 26 cars destined for the UK with the remainder going abroad and that all cars had been accounted for and no longer able to order one - did you hear anything on either of these points?
And lastly - what four pieces comprise your luggage set - and I presume they fit in the roadster.
Edited by IanV12VR on Thursday 13th December 15:56
IanV12VR said:
Great update - and bet you can't wait to get her home. If what you say is right it should mean very few cars come on the market and it will be good for residuals! I think it is fantastic that there chances of seeing another V12VR like your own one is pretty minimal.
The last I heard was that there were either 24 or 26 cars destined for the UK with the remainder going abroad and that all cars had been accounted for and no longer able to order one - did you hear anything on either of these points?
And lastly - what four pieces comprise your luggage set - and I presume they fit in the roadster.
Even if someone has the same colour, I think everyone is really using their imagination for trim, hood colours, etc so there will almost certainly be no two the same. They think there may be one other in Cermaic but a different interior colourThe last I heard was that there were either 24 or 26 cars destined for the UK with the remainder going abroad and that all cars had been accounted for and no longer able to order one - did you hear anything on either of these points?
And lastly - what four pieces comprise your luggage set - and I presume they fit in the roadster.
Edited by IanV12VR on Thursday 13th December 15:56
It was suggested that all V12VRs are allocated and almost finished production but no news on how many for the UK - I'd love a full breakdown and hopefully, we'll be able to get one in jan when production finishes
The luggage is the 4 pc set that effectively fits the boot of all DB9/DBS/Vantage, though you get extra space in say the vantage coupe in front of the main compartment
It's the holdall in sizes large & small plus the really excellent garment bag and the beauty case (which I use for cameras, chargers, glasses, etc) - I had it in black (which I sold) but that looks almose suede like with saddle trim, whereas this is entirely in red and looks superb. It cost around £2,200 delivered which I thought for a special order was really not bad at all - it's a very modest premium over the off the shelf colours - you want to speak to Charlotte Tanio (was Ridgeway) at Aston if you're interested
I'll put up a photo later, along with some more from the factory
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