Buying 2003 Vanquish. Plan to manual convert

[2Velocebro]

Hi all,

In the US, so I have one US specific question, but the rest is general.

I just bought a 2003 Vanquish via online auction, and am picking up Thursday! The plan is to use it as my daily until the transmission begins to give me issues, then send to Aston Martin Works for the manual conversion. A few questions:

Has anyone on the forum had the manual conversion, if so, how do you like the results? We're there any unexpected cost overruns during the conversion that you did not budget for?

Also, more of a US specific question, but have any of you had any experience with international shipping? The most daunting part of this is shipping to the UK. Any recommendations on this?

Thanks!

[gb vol]

I can’t help with your questions but try https://astonowners.com/ They have a very active Vanquish section. I think you will need to register.

[ds666]

The Aston Owners website is a good shout . There is also a " normal " automatic gearbox conversion available . But the standard gearbox is part of the character of the car , so probably best you drive the options if possible , before you make a final decision .

[F1NDW]

Yes the AstonOwners.com forum is the place to ask. They will also tell you that you can get the auto conversion done in the states by the same people who do it in the UK.

[geresey]

Seems a bit excessive - shipping and conversion would cost ‘000s presumably? - was it very cheap at auction?

[2Velocebro]

geresey said:

Seems a bit excessive - shipping and conversion would cost ‘000s presumably? - was it very cheap at auction?

I wouldn't say VERY cheap, but I got it for a great deal. Yes, AM Works quoted me £29,000, which converts to about $34,000. With shipping, probably around $50k. Cheap, no. Worth it to me, I think so.

[Beckson]

is there no one in the US that is approved to provide the manual conversion from AM ? While in the UK, could let Bamford Rose do a sorting on exhaust, intake, I think also they offer some suspension updgrades on it.

[Ninja59]

I have been to Works and seen the original car they used for this conversion and fundamentally was told it was a fixed price deal for Vanquish owners looking to convert it (unless there is other unrelated issues found).

In that time I have seen a few US cars at Works for exactly this conversion as well, chatting with my contact they said they do a fair few from the US every year.

It definitely looks the part is all I am going to say. Unfortunately, not had an opportunity to drive one.

[2Velocebro]

gb vol said:

I can’t help with your questions but try https://astonowners.com/ They have a very active Vanquish section. I think you will need to register.

Thank you for the suggestion! Just registered and posted on there. You're right, a solid amount of original Vanquish activity on there.

[2Velocebro]

Beckson said:

is there no one in the US that is approved to provide the manual conversion from AM ? While in the UK, could let Bamford Rose do a sorting on exhaust, intake, I think also they offer some suspension updgrades on it.

I don't think so. I haven't heard of one, but will call around to some of the "Heritage" dealers here in the US. Not sure if it's the same in the UK, but now there are only certain dealers in the US "Heritage dealers" that will do work on pre-Gaydon era cars. The one near me, AM of San Diego, isn't a heritage dealer, so they wouldn't be able to help much.

Also, great call on Bamford Rose! They seem awesome, I've watched a ton of their videos on YouTube.

[bish_345]

2Velocebro said:

Beckson said:

is there no one in the US that is approved to provide the manual conversion from AM ? While in the UK, could let Bamford Rose do a sorting on exhaust, intake, I think also they offer some suspension updgrades on it.

I don't think so. I haven't heard of one, but will call around to some of the "Heritage" dealers here in the US. Not sure if it's the same in the UK, but now there are only certain dealers in the US "Heritage dealers" that will do work on pre-Gaydon era cars. The one near me, AM of San Diego, isn't a heritage dealer, so they wouldn't be able to help much.

Also, great call on Bamford Rose! They seem awesome, I've watched a ton of their videos on YouTube.

Before sticking your Vanquish on a boat it might be worth sending an email to Tom Papadopoulos at Autosport Designs on Long Island. A long time Aston enthusiast. I believe he arranged for Aston Works to send their team over to the US to convert several Vanquishes at Autosport Designs, albeit quite a few years ago now. He at least might be someone who knows what, if any, options there are to get the work done in the US.

[Reynardff1600]

You may want to try Steel Wings in the Philly area.

[2Velocebro]

bish_345 said:

Before sticking your Vanquish on a boat it might be worth sending an email to Tom Papadopoulos at Autosport Designs on Long Island. A long time Aston enthusiast. I believe he arranged for Aston Works to send their team over to the US to convert several Vanquishes at Autosport Designs, albeit quite a few years ago now. He at least might be someone who knows what, if any, options there are to get the work done in the US.

Good call, I'll give them a shout, thank you!

[2Velocebro]

Reynardff1600 said:

You may want to try Steel Wings in the Philly area.

I'll give them a call, thank you!