Aston Martins - but not as we know them
Discussion
Today was a revelation for me.
I'm quite familiar with Gaydon era Aston Martins. Less so with Newport Pagnell cars (apart from the first Vanquish). But I had a complete blind spot regarding pre-war cars. I smile when I see a vintage car, but they never did that much for me.
I love the Aston Martin brand, so was happy to be cajoled by certain people to at least experience them. Which is why my young son and I found ourselves at Ecurie Bertelli today, just outside Milton Keynes. EB specialise in the really early chapters of Aston Martin and the THE go-to place for having having them looked after, part fabricated, sales, etc.
Robert, the MD, kindly spent a lot of day with us, giving a glimpse into a fascinating - and glamorous world. I love good engineering, and could see that these cars are really well made for their day. Truly hand crafted.
But then Robert took my son and myself for a spin. Jeez! I never realised what these antique cars were capable of. The speed, corners, control were miles ahead of what I imagined. You became part of the machine and scenery. The sense of speed was very real. The feeling of special-ness was off the scale.
I, like many other on here, may feel very chuffed and privileged about having access to some amazing machinery. But this is another world that is worth exploring.
I know it's not fertile ground for truly historic cars in this forum, but they are Astons to their core. Perhaps the purest of all Astons, so it would be good to see them have a voice.
I'm not sure where to go with this experience from here. I need to spend a good time thinking. The lure is very strong.
I'm quite familiar with Gaydon era Aston Martins. Less so with Newport Pagnell cars (apart from the first Vanquish). But I had a complete blind spot regarding pre-war cars. I smile when I see a vintage car, but they never did that much for me.
I love the Aston Martin brand, so was happy to be cajoled by certain people to at least experience them. Which is why my young son and I found ourselves at Ecurie Bertelli today, just outside Milton Keynes. EB specialise in the really early chapters of Aston Martin and the THE go-to place for having having them looked after, part fabricated, sales, etc.
Robert, the MD, kindly spent a lot of day with us, giving a glimpse into a fascinating - and glamorous world. I love good engineering, and could see that these cars are really well made for their day. Truly hand crafted.
But then Robert took my son and myself for a spin. Jeez! I never realised what these antique cars were capable of. The speed, corners, control were miles ahead of what I imagined. You became part of the machine and scenery. The sense of speed was very real. The feeling of special-ness was off the scale.
I, like many other on here, may feel very chuffed and privileged about having access to some amazing machinery. But this is another world that is worth exploring.
I know it's not fertile ground for truly historic cars in this forum, but they are Astons to their core. Perhaps the purest of all Astons, so it would be good to see them have a voice.
I'm not sure where to go with this experience from here. I need to spend a good time thinking. The lure is very strong.
TeddS said:
Very cool experience! I am attracted to them as well, I'm just not sure I'm brave enough to pull the trigger on one.
Same here. Just visit EB. They're really helpful and friendly.I visited with a view to potentially dipping my toe in that water. I have several directions I'm considering. Today made the decision harder though, as I was more convinced it wouldn't be for be before I arrived, but I wanted to be sure.
EB is vital to many pre-war Aston owners as they support them so much with being the source for replacement parts, experience, etc. However, chatting to Robert was very rest-assuring as he's got a very good grasp of the business aspect. Essential to know, for me personally.
great thread Nick, thanks for posting
having had a few cars from the 60's (no pre war ones) I know how much time and effort h=goes into keeping them on teh road - I'm sure its the same for the earlier cars, maybe more so!
If you buy one be prepared to spend every weekend tinkering before a drive & after a drive - not a bad thing of course!
Graze
having had a few cars from the 60's (no pre war ones) I know how much time and effort h=goes into keeping them on teh road - I'm sure its the same for the earlier cars, maybe more so!
If you buy one be prepared to spend every weekend tinkering before a drive & after a drive - not a bad thing of course!
Graze
Graze01 said:
great thread Nick, thanks for posting
having had a few cars from the 60's (no pre war ones) I know how much time and effort h=goes into keeping them on teh road - I'm sure its the same for the earlier cars, maybe more so!
If you buy one be prepared to spend every weekend tinkering before a drive & after a drive - not a bad thing of course!
Graze
Hi Graze - for sure, they aren’t as “turn key” as modern cars. But I’ve been trying to approximate costs compared to a V12 VH car which is annually serviced at a MD (the realistic costs I know). For these cars, I have to take into account annual servicing, MOT, insurance, road tax, insurance and (for me) Timeless warranty renewal.having had a few cars from the 60's (no pre war ones) I know how much time and effort h=goes into keeping them on teh road - I'm sure its the same for the earlier cars, maybe more so!
If you buy one be prepared to spend every weekend tinkering before a drive & after a drive - not a bad thing of course!
Graze
I tend to have £4k/pa allocated for all this. Some years can be a bit more.
Even if EB did a full check and service each year, it would cost less to run. Obviously, there would be no equivalent warranty.
But if things go wrong big time, it’s much harder to estimate. New cars can give eye-watering bills (ceramic brakes, electronics, etc.). Equally, if a pre-war car needs a major part re-manufactured, it won’t be cheap.
In reality, the costs won’t be too dissimilar. You’ll do less miles in the pre-war from a practical POV, but neither does adding miles matter in a pre-war for value.
A great topic Nick.
I have a snippet that may be of interest.
Tom Wood was for many years the AMOC Area 22 (Gloucestershire) Rep.
Owns a couple of VH cars and a 'new' Vantage, but then suddenly took an interest in the Pre-war era.
Bought a 1934 MKII (B4/402/S).
He has relinquished his Gloucestershire role and is now AMOC Pre War Rep.
Think Ecurie Bertelli did all the restoration.
You are clearly very keen, so will follow with interest the journey you have now begun
of buying, owning and driving a pre-war. I would love to own one of the Bamford Martin Astons, but it will never happen. My ears keep ringing with someone close to me saying, "You have too many cars". I must be careful to obey!
Agree, a great topic!
That EB experience sounds like something I would gladly pay money for. Having read about pre-war cars and seen a few here and there I have often wondered, as you write, about becoming "part of the machine and scenery, the sense of speed, the feeling of special-ness" that these cars invoke. The closest thing I`ve driven would be a Caterham, which is a truly wonderful thing, but that would not be a patch on these old Series cars from the twenties & thirties, plus bugs in your teeth etc!
There is an event on in St Moritz for the last two days called "The Ice" that I hoped to finally get to this year but I`m currently a bit ill. They gather an interesting collection of vintage cars, even a few pre-war. Next year maybe...
https://theicestmoritz.ch/
That EB experience sounds like something I would gladly pay money for. Having read about pre-war cars and seen a few here and there I have often wondered, as you write, about becoming "part of the machine and scenery, the sense of speed, the feeling of special-ness" that these cars invoke. The closest thing I`ve driven would be a Caterham, which is a truly wonderful thing, but that would not be a patch on these old Series cars from the twenties & thirties, plus bugs in your teeth etc!
There is an event on in St Moritz for the last two days called "The Ice" that I hoped to finally get to this year but I`m currently a bit ill. They gather an interesting collection of vintage cars, even a few pre-war. Next year maybe...
https://theicestmoritz.ch/
Mr.Tremlini said:
becoming part of the machine and scenery,
That is the part that worries me with old cars.
I have a couple of 1960s cars and the brakes are pathetic, compared with present day cars.
Mr.Tremlini said:
I have driven my Vantage round that corner. Tarmac now of course. Did not have time to look, but I don't think there were many men wearing suits, ties and caps. Sartorial elegance is not what it was.
Mr.Tremlini said:
Agree, a great topic!
The closest thing I`ve driven would be a Caterham, which is a truly wonderful thing, but that would not be a patch on these old Series cars from the twenties & thirties, plus bugs in your teeth etc!
I’m so glad that this topic struck a chord. I seriously thought it would only produce tumbleweeds.The closest thing I`ve driven would be a Caterham, which is a truly wonderful thing, but that would not be a patch on these old Series cars from the twenties & thirties, plus bugs in your teeth etc!
I’m still digesting all the experiences from the past three days (epic full day tours of Nicholas Mee, Ecurie Bertelli and Aston Works… it would have been rude not to!). But you mention the comparison with the Caterham. Now I’ve never been in one (due to be sorted in the next couple of months), but my young son has. And that was his impression; how close the passenger ride was to the one he had in a Caterham more than 80 years it’s junior! That I wouldn’t have expected,
But neither did I expect the speed and overall visceral feel to it. What a machine. All even though given the amazing choice of being driven in road or race car, we chose road car as it was more comparable to what we would consider. Gawd knows what the racer would have been like!
Dewi 2 said:
Mr.Tremlini said:
becoming part of the machine and scenery,
That is the part that worries me with old cars.
I have a couple of 1960s cars and the brakes are pathetic, compared with present day cars.
Mr.Tremlini said:
I have driven my Vantage round that corner. Tarmac now of course. Did not have time to look, but I don't think there were many men wearing suits, ties and caps. Sartorial elegance is not what it was.
Goodwood revival would be your best bet for sartorial elegance mixed with motorsport, an event I really wish to attend once.
As for the scenery, yes, you are correct!
nickv12 said:
But you mention the comparison with the Caterham. Now I’ve never been in one (due to be sorted in the next couple of months), but my young son has. And that was his impression; how close the passenger ride was to the one he had in a Caterham more than 80 years it’s junior! That I wouldn’t have expected,
I`m sure you`ll love the Caterham. The one I had for a day had 175PS pushing 550kg, it was so nimble and precise to place on the road and loads of fun, really engaging, visceral and smile inducing. If you love driving, these things are magic.Mr.Tremlini said:
I`m sure you`ll love the Caterham. The one I had for a day had 175PS pushing 550kg, it was so nimble and precise to place on the road and loads of fun, really engaging, visceral and smile inducing. If you love driving, these things are magic.
Indeed. I've read so much about them over the years, it's a pity it's taken so long for me to experience one first hand.Mr.Tremlini said:
That corner is at Shelsley Walsh if the info I have is to be believed...
Goodwood revival would be your best bet for sartorial elegance mixed with motorsport, an event I really wish to attend once.
As for the scenery, yes, you are correct!
Goodwood revival would be your best bet for sartorial elegance mixed with motorsport, an event I really wish to attend once.
As for the scenery, yes, you are correct!
Yes it is Shelsley Walsh. The top left hander, which is followed by a right hand and then on to the flat out straight to the finish.
No spectators can stand on the inside of that corner these days.
Hard braking essential immediately after the finish line, because there is then an unsighted down hill with sharp right hand corner. That must have caught a few out !
Everyone should attend the Goodwood Revival at least once. A really marvellous, unique occasion. Pure theatre and stepping back in time. You feel as if you are on a film set. Book very early though. They now sell out each year.
You will be taking great photographs there Dean.
Read you are not well. Hope soon feeling better.
Jon39 said:
Yes it is Shelsley Walsh. The top left hander, which is followed by a right hand and then on to the flat out straight to the finish.
No spectators can stand on the inside of that corner these days.
Hard braking essential immediately after the finish line, because there is then an unsighted down hill with sharp right hand corner. That must have caught a few out !
Everyone should attend the Goodwood Revival at least once. A really marvellous, unique occasion. Pure theatre and stepping back in time. You feel as if you are on a film set. Book very early though. They now sell out each year.
You will be taking great photographs there Dean.
Read you are not well. Hope soon feeling better.
I have had Goodwood Revival in my calendar for the last few years, but work bookings seem to keep landing on the same dates, and usually nothing for a couple of weeks either side... Grrrr. This year I`ll be in Bosnia. Make hay while the sun shines and all that I guess.
Every year a growing group of NP Vanquish owners arrange a few days away get together.
Last year the first stop of the day was Ecurie Bertelli. What a fantastic morning we had there. I knew nothing about pre war Astons prior to the visit. We were given a great history lesson and I must admit I was blown away ( I wasn't the only one). The cars are fantastic, I would love one.
I just could not believe how ignorant I was about Astons history. There certainly was plenty of life before James Bond.
Goodwood Revival and accommodation already booked.
Last year the first stop of the day was Ecurie Bertelli. What a fantastic morning we had there. I knew nothing about pre war Astons prior to the visit. We were given a great history lesson and I must admit I was blown away ( I wasn't the only one). The cars are fantastic, I would love one.
I just could not believe how ignorant I was about Astons history. There certainly was plenty of life before James Bond.
Goodwood Revival and accommodation already booked.
Edited by F1NDW on Monday 27th February 22:39
Forums | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff