RE: Aston Martin DB7 GT | Spotted
Discussion
fernando the frog said:
Andy83n said:
...if you're stevie wonder
thelostboy said:
Have fond memories of the V12 Vantage.
I had just started driving, and my dad had a good year running the family business and ordered a new one having owned a secondhand supercharged I6 model up to then.
I remember going to Newport Pagnell to agree the specification, which of course is a massive part of the experience. I still have a bit of pink leather given to me on the tour, which some Saudi had specced an old Vantage in.
We then got invited back to see the car being built (Bloxham?) and it was incredible seeing the technicians crane this huge V12 engine and gearbox in what looked like an impossibly tight gap! Even then, being young, it started to filter through with how much labour went into these cars; it was easy to see where the money goes.
My dad took his chances on going for a manual. He test drove one and said it was quite stiff, but it just so happened that his one was spot on. I imagine if it is still out there, it must be one of very few manual cars.
When the car - 'V12 BAB' arrived, I had been driving for 6 months in my little 1.2 Clio when my dad announced one Sunday that we were going for a drive - in the Aston!
I was incredibly nervous in this thing, with that huge bonnet in front of me, being responsible for this unfathomably expensive object. I recall pulling away from a junction in Sidcup and my dad said "You just pulled away in 3rd!" The thing had so much torque I hadn't noticed at all.
Of course, I can't really tell you how it drove as I was simply relieved to survive the journey without kerbing a wheel, or worse . After all, being 17, I wasn't insured to drive it!
My dad had the car a couple of years, and he never complained about the humble XJS origins. I imagine in reality it was far evolved, and people - for whatever reason - just enjoy being negative about it. Anyway, dad drove it like he stole it much of the time, often coming into work saying he had achieved a new Personal Best on the journey there. Back then, 420bhp monstered anything else it encountered.
I remember vividly being the passenger seat when he had a tussle with a then new estoril blue E36 M3 and came out victorious as we dragged up the old A20 away from Brands Hatch. I remember the M3 owner lowering his window - also with his son in the passenger seat - saying "That's it! I'm getting one of those next!" That was my first taste of enthusiasts just having fun with each other.
As an impressionable 17 year old, I loved the looks and comments the car received, and it's burble around town (back then, you could specify how loud you wanted the exhaust at the factory - my father chose the loudest, obviously) cemented my love for all things car related.
I can't remember the exact figure, but he told me he ran the car on the company. It was a ridiculous amount, as you can imagine with the tax on a 6.0 V12. I think it was something like £5,000 a month - I think I was on £11,000 a year on an apprentice salary at the time! Each weekend, I would clean its wheels and check the tyre pressures, in desperate hope someone walking past the driveway may think this 17 year old owned a new Aston Martin V12 Vantage. Always been an optimist...
The best post I've read in a long time on PH. After all those memorable moments with your father it would've been strange not to become a petrolhead. Thanks for your story.I had just started driving, and my dad had a good year running the family business and ordered a new one having owned a secondhand supercharged I6 model up to then.
I remember going to Newport Pagnell to agree the specification, which of course is a massive part of the experience. I still have a bit of pink leather given to me on the tour, which some Saudi had specced an old Vantage in.
We then got invited back to see the car being built (Bloxham?) and it was incredible seeing the technicians crane this huge V12 engine and gearbox in what looked like an impossibly tight gap! Even then, being young, it started to filter through with how much labour went into these cars; it was easy to see where the money goes.
My dad took his chances on going for a manual. He test drove one and said it was quite stiff, but it just so happened that his one was spot on. I imagine if it is still out there, it must be one of very few manual cars.
When the car - 'V12 BAB' arrived, I had been driving for 6 months in my little 1.2 Clio when my dad announced one Sunday that we were going for a drive - in the Aston!
I was incredibly nervous in this thing, with that huge bonnet in front of me, being responsible for this unfathomably expensive object. I recall pulling away from a junction in Sidcup and my dad said "You just pulled away in 3rd!" The thing had so much torque I hadn't noticed at all.
Of course, I can't really tell you how it drove as I was simply relieved to survive the journey without kerbing a wheel, or worse . After all, being 17, I wasn't insured to drive it!
My dad had the car a couple of years, and he never complained about the humble XJS origins. I imagine in reality it was far evolved, and people - for whatever reason - just enjoy being negative about it. Anyway, dad drove it like he stole it much of the time, often coming into work saying he had achieved a new Personal Best on the journey there. Back then, 420bhp monstered anything else it encountered.
I remember vividly being the passenger seat when he had a tussle with a then new estoril blue E36 M3 and came out victorious as we dragged up the old A20 away from Brands Hatch. I remember the M3 owner lowering his window - also with his son in the passenger seat - saying "That's it! I'm getting one of those next!" That was my first taste of enthusiasts just having fun with each other.
As an impressionable 17 year old, I loved the looks and comments the car received, and it's burble around town (back then, you could specify how loud you wanted the exhaust at the factory - my father chose the loudest, obviously) cemented my love for all things car related.
I can't remember the exact figure, but he told me he ran the car on the company. It was a ridiculous amount, as you can imagine with the tax on a 6.0 V12. I think it was something like £5,000 a month - I think I was on £11,000 a year on an apprentice salary at the time! Each weekend, I would clean its wheels and check the tyre pressures, in desperate hope someone walking past the driveway may think this 17 year old owned a new Aston Martin V12 Vantage. Always been an optimist...
NGK210 said:
There was a rumour that as a genius cost-cutting measure, V12 DB7s weren’t undersealed - true or interweb myth?
I remember reading somewhere that the original 3.2 models were better made than the later ones, how that can be quantified, I don't know. It also happened with the Rover 75, the later ones were thrown together as the brummies got fed up with the company.5490 said:
I remember reading somewhere that the original 3.2 models were better made than the later ones, how that can be quantified, I don't know.
5490 then said:
It also happened with the Rover 75, the later ones were thrown together as the brummies got fed up with the company.
How that can be quantified, I don't know.C.MW said:
The best post I've read in a long time on PH. After all those memorable moments with your father it would've been strange not to become a petrolhead. Thanks for your story.
Glad you enjoyed my ramble.I would like to have added a photo or two, but given it was a few years back, they'll be the printed variety, stored in a box in a loft somewhere.
Just out of curiosity, I Googled the numberplate and a picture came up of my dad's Vanquish S which some chap posted online 9 years ago.
The Vanquish was/is another stunning Aston. I, for one, think it is far prettier to behold than the 550/575 Ferrari; the body looked truly coach-built and I used to enjoy just drinking in the body shape. It seems the market has finally caught up as prices are level - a few years ago the big Aston's could be had for far less.
Inside, it was less impressive than the DB7. Its ironic that people bemoan the switchgear, but the DB7 felt far more bespoke - the blank steering wheel in the Vanquish was a big let down. They did improve the interior and sat nav towards the end of its life though, and you pay a significant premium for the pleasure if you were to check out the classifieds.
With more experience under my belt (I was 24 in 2009), I drove the Vanquish S with more confidence. It sounded even better than the DB7 at full chat, but the valves made it sound more artificial. Unfortunately, the gearbox is every bit as bad as written, hampering performance and enjoyment as you had to have a big lift before pulling an up-change.
The handling though was great. It is obviously a big car, but it belied its weight. It seems absurd looking back, but I used to drift it around roundabouts in its long first gear - how lucky was I to learn car control in a V12 Aston! How silly was my old man to let me take out his car unsupervised...
I once took the keys for a drive and realised I would be passing Aston Martin Sevenoaks. Keen to show off to the punters perusing Jaguars outside of the showroom next door, I took the opportunity of a small roundabout before their entrance to down change into first and slide the big beast around it, slithering into the adjacent Aston Martin car park.
As I stepped out, ready to take the adulation and perhaps sign autographs, I spotted my dad was inside the showroom, glaring at me. That same sinking feeling hit me when I smashed our garden shed window with a football when I was 9.
The car got serviced a few weeks after, and my dad marched into the lounge saying the service manager gave him a report on tyre depths - the rear left was 2mm down compared to the right, and this was clearly my doing. I think I bought him a sorry card from Clintons.
Unfortunately, the gearbox became increasingly stubborn, after a rebuild - at Aston's expense - it left my dad stranded in the road and he decided enough was enough. Sad, as we both loved it.
Sadly, V12 BAB hasn't been on a car since. Thankfully, my dad has been a terrible influence on me. My first proper car was an M3 CSL in my mid-twenties, which I opted for rather than moving out. I would have been happy with an M3, but my dad said I should "do it properly" and I duly rang around for finance quotes.
I'm still at it now, I bought a Performante about 18 months ago. I was on the fence about getting one, and stupidly brought my dad along to the showroom and asked his opinion. His response, "Well I'd get one, before they force us all into Teslas". I returned to my two bedroom apartment in true Guy Martin style - my car was worth more than my home. Focus on 'was' - I think I've lost about £100,000 on it now. Still, when we are all eventually forced into a electric cars, I can't say I haven't had a good run.
thelostboy said:
C.MW said:
The best post I've read in a long time on PH. After all those memorable moments with your father it would've been strange not to become a petrolhead. Thanks for your story.
Glad you enjoyed my ramble.I would like to have added a photo or two, but given it was a few years back, they'll be the printed variety, stored in a box in a loft somewhere.
Just out of curiosity, I Googled the numberplate and a picture came up of my dad's Vanquish S which some chap posted online 9 years ago.
The Vanquish was/is another stunning Aston. I, for one, think it is far prettier to behold than the 550/575 Ferrari; the body looked truly coach-built and I used to enjoy just drinking in the body shape. It seems the market has finally caught up as prices are level - a few years ago the big Aston's could be had for far less.
Inside, it was less impressive than the DB7. Its ironic that people bemoan the switchgear, but the DB7 felt far more bespoke - the blank steering wheel in the Vanquish was a big let down. They did improve the interior and sat nav towards the end of its life though, and you pay a significant premium for the pleasure if you were to check out the classifieds.
With more experience under my belt (I was 24 in 2009), I drove the Vanquish S with more confidence. It sounded even better than the DB7 at full chat, but the valves made it sound more artificial. Unfortunately, the gearbox is every bit as bad as written, hampering performance and enjoyment as you had to have a big lift before pulling an up-change.
The handling though was great. It is obviously a big car, but it belied its weight. It seems absurd looking back, but I used to drift it around roundabouts in its long first gear - how lucky was I to learn car control in a V12 Aston! How silly was my old man to let me take out his car unsupervised...
I once took the keys for a drive and realised I would be passing Aston Martin Sevenoaks. Keen to show off to the punters perusing Jaguars outside of the showroom next door, I took the opportunity of a small roundabout before their entrance to down change into first and slide the big beast around it, slithering into the adjacent Aston Martin car park.
As I stepped out, ready to take the adulation and perhaps sign autographs, I spotted my dad was inside the showroom, glaring at me. That same sinking feeling hit me when I smashed our garden shed window with a football when I was 9.
The car got serviced a few weeks after, and my dad marched into the lounge saying the service manager gave him a report on tyre depths - the rear left was 2mm down compared to the right, and this was clearly my doing. I think I bought him a sorry card from Clintons.
Unfortunately, the gearbox became increasingly stubborn, after a rebuild - at Aston's expense - it left my dad stranded in the road and he decided enough was enough. Sad, as we both loved it.
Sadly, V12 BAB hasn't been on a car since. Thankfully, my dad has been a terrible influence on me. My first proper car was an M3 CSL in my mid-twenties, which I opted for rather than moving out. I would have been happy with an M3, but my dad said I should "do it properly" and I duly rang around for finance quotes.
I'm still at it now, I bought a Performante about 18 months ago. I was on the fence about getting one, and stupidly brought my dad along to the showroom and asked his opinion. His response, "Well I'd get one, before they force us all into Teslas". I returned to my two bedroom apartment in true Guy Martin style - my car was worth more than my home. Focus on 'was' - I think I've lost about £100,000 on it now. Still, when we are all eventually forced into a electric cars, I can't say I haven't had a good run.
thelostboy said:
Have fond memories of the V12 Vantage.
I had just started driving, and my dad had a good year running the family business and ordered a new one having owned a secondhand supercharged I6 model up to then.
I remember going to Newport Pagnell to agree the specification, which of course is a massive part of the experience. I still have a bit of pink leather given to me on the tour, which some Saudi had specced an old Vantage in.
We then got invited back to see the car being built (Bloxham?) and it was incredible seeing the technicians crane this huge V12 engine and gearbox in what looked like an impossibly tight gap! Even then, being young, it started to filter through with how much labour went into these cars; it was easy to see where the money goes.
My dad took his chances on going for a manual. He test drove one and said it was quite stiff, but it just so happened that his one was spot on. I imagine if it is still out there, it must be one of very few manual cars.
When the car - 'V12 BAB' arrived, I had been driving for 6 months in my little 1.2 Clio when my dad announced one Sunday that we were going for a drive - in the Aston!
I was incredibly nervous in this thing, with that huge bonnet in front of me, being responsible for this unfathomably expensive object. I recall pulling away from a junction in Sidcup and my dad said "You just pulled away in 3rd!" The thing had so much torque I hadn't noticed at all.
Of course, I can't really tell you how it drove as I was simply relieved to survive the journey without kerbing a wheel, or worse . After all, being 17, I wasn't insured to drive it!
My dad had the car a couple of years, and he never complained about the humble XJS origins. I imagine in reality it was far evolved, and people - for whatever reason - just enjoy being negative about it. Anyway, dad drove it like he stole it much of the time, often coming into work saying he had achieved a new Personal Best on the journey there. Back then, 420bhp monstered anything else it encountered.
I remember vividly being the passenger seat when he had a tussle with a then new estoril blue E36 M3 and came out victorious as we dragged up the old A20 away from Brands Hatch. I remember the M3 owner lowering his window - also with his son in the passenger seat - saying "That's it! I'm getting one of those next!" That was my first taste of enthusiasts just having fun with each other.
As an impressionable 17 year old, I loved the looks and comments the car received, and it's burble around town (back then, you could specify how loud you wanted the exhaust at the factory - my father chose the loudest, obviously) cemented my love for all things car related.
I can't remember the exact figure, but he told me he ran the car on the company. It was a ridiculous amount, as you can imagine with the tax on a 6.0 V12. I think it was something like £5,000 a month - I think I was on £11,000 a year on an apprentice salary at the time! Each weekend, I would clean its wheels and check the tyre pressures, in desperate hope someone walking past the driveway may think this 17 year old owned a new Aston Martin V12 Vantage. Always been an optimist...
Fab story!! I had just started driving, and my dad had a good year running the family business and ordered a new one having owned a secondhand supercharged I6 model up to then.
I remember going to Newport Pagnell to agree the specification, which of course is a massive part of the experience. I still have a bit of pink leather given to me on the tour, which some Saudi had specced an old Vantage in.
We then got invited back to see the car being built (Bloxham?) and it was incredible seeing the technicians crane this huge V12 engine and gearbox in what looked like an impossibly tight gap! Even then, being young, it started to filter through with how much labour went into these cars; it was easy to see where the money goes.
My dad took his chances on going for a manual. He test drove one and said it was quite stiff, but it just so happened that his one was spot on. I imagine if it is still out there, it must be one of very few manual cars.
When the car - 'V12 BAB' arrived, I had been driving for 6 months in my little 1.2 Clio when my dad announced one Sunday that we were going for a drive - in the Aston!
I was incredibly nervous in this thing, with that huge bonnet in front of me, being responsible for this unfathomably expensive object. I recall pulling away from a junction in Sidcup and my dad said "You just pulled away in 3rd!" The thing had so much torque I hadn't noticed at all.
Of course, I can't really tell you how it drove as I was simply relieved to survive the journey without kerbing a wheel, or worse . After all, being 17, I wasn't insured to drive it!
My dad had the car a couple of years, and he never complained about the humble XJS origins. I imagine in reality it was far evolved, and people - for whatever reason - just enjoy being negative about it. Anyway, dad drove it like he stole it much of the time, often coming into work saying he had achieved a new Personal Best on the journey there. Back then, 420bhp monstered anything else it encountered.
I remember vividly being the passenger seat when he had a tussle with a then new estoril blue E36 M3 and came out victorious as we dragged up the old A20 away from Brands Hatch. I remember the M3 owner lowering his window - also with his son in the passenger seat - saying "That's it! I'm getting one of those next!" That was my first taste of enthusiasts just having fun with each other.
As an impressionable 17 year old, I loved the looks and comments the car received, and it's burble around town (back then, you could specify how loud you wanted the exhaust at the factory - my father chose the loudest, obviously) cemented my love for all things car related.
I can't remember the exact figure, but he told me he ran the car on the company. It was a ridiculous amount, as you can imagine with the tax on a 6.0 V12. I think it was something like £5,000 a month - I think I was on £11,000 a year on an apprentice salary at the time! Each weekend, I would clean its wheels and check the tyre pressures, in desperate hope someone walking past the driveway may think this 17 year old owned a new Aston Martin V12 Vantage. Always been an optimist...
Reading it has brought the memories flooding back of drives with my Late Dad. His met blue Austin Healey 3000MK111, he bought new in 1964, a gunmetal 3.8 MK11 Jag, in 67, his first E Type ( a brg 68 Coupe in 1969 ) his red 69 S11 E Type 2+2 in 1970, his silver 71 V-12 E Type 2+2 in 1972 ( vivid memories of him having a tear up one night with an AM V8 and seeing 146 on the Es speedo ) that awesome white 426 Hemi Challenger, in late 72 and him mullerung a Honda 750/4 in it on Londons Nth Circular rd, the silver 69 Pontiac Firebird convertible in 73, two MK1 3 Litre Capris and then his Oro Gold 68 Ghibli that he shipped over from the States in 74 and which he drove daily until his trajic early death in Sept 75 aged just 41. I can still see in my minds eye the speedo of the Ghibli showing 145 and the car being so relaxed @ High speed.
Wonderful car the GT!
I bought mine 3 years ago and it just is such a different drive from the regular DB7 Vantage, people really underestimate that since they look not very different. In particular the gear change and shorter final drive ratio make it very special car indeed. Improved handling is a nice bonus, and the exhaust has a Vanquish-like vacuum system - easily set to always open by removing a fuse. This car just loves to be driven.
I hope the new owner will enjoy the car.
Mine was featured in various magazine articles and this neat YouTube video:
I bought mine 3 years ago and it just is such a different drive from the regular DB7 Vantage, people really underestimate that since they look not very different. In particular the gear change and shorter final drive ratio make it very special car indeed. Improved handling is a nice bonus, and the exhaust has a Vanquish-like vacuum system - easily set to always open by removing a fuse. This car just loves to be driven.
I hope the new owner will enjoy the car.
Mine was featured in various magazine articles and this neat YouTube video:
Wouldn't you be better off with this plus £5,000 in your back pocket?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Bencolem said:
Wouldn't you be better off with this plus £5,000 in your back pocket?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I'd prefer a DB9 to a DB7, but would definitely prefer a DB7 GT to a DB9. https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff