The Definitive Guide to Gaydon-era ASTON MARTIN

[finlop]

Thanks Grant,

Will try. All flights out of Ghana now cancelled so I can't get back to UK anyway, ..................so as confined to quarters, need to read.

Your intimate knowledge of the Gaydons may answer a question I have. I plan to buy a Rapide...two young kids....did Aston ever make, even as a prototype, a manual?

Or have you heard of a conversion? I asked Mike at Bamford Rose, (who is probably the best specialist out there), but no reply. He is very busy.

Finlo

[CSK1]

To answer your question, the Rapide was never produced with a manual gearbox, 6 speed and later 8 speed automatic gearbox only.
I hope you'll be able to find a solution soon to read Grant's fantastic book!

[finlop]

Dear CSK (and Grant)

Thanks for the responses.

1) Managed to download using the link Grant sent and now enjoying the book.
2) Thanks for gearbox info.....no chance of retro fitting a manual then.

Finlo

[CSK1]

You'd have to ask Works at Newport Pagnell, I'm sure they could help... at a price.

[b.cam]

Grant3 said:

Hi All
Just a quick one, for those that still wanted a printed version of the guide, we have found a few eleventh edition guides (printed in 2015, covering up to the 16MY, with the Vanquish on the front/back - they don't cover the new generation DB11/Vantage). They are seconds with glue or marks on the inside cover, but the main book is fine.

PM me if you want one and we can pop over a Paypal request to your email. They are £20 each including UK post and packing. We would rather stick to the UK if possible as international shipping problems is one reason why we went digital, but I can find a price for this if required.

Cheers

Salutations Grant!

Sent you an email on this. Fingers crossed.

[EVR]

Cheers to Grant for getting featured on the DBS Buying Guide on the frontage!

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/...

[BBRMj]

Hi does anyone know where I might be able to buy a hard copy of this? I am on the hunt for my first AM DB9 at the moment.

[Grant3]

EVR said:

Cheers to Grant for getting featured on the DBS Buying Guide on the frontage!

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/...

Cheers EVR, apologies I missed your kind post.

[Grant3]

BBRMj said:

Hi does anyone know where I might be able to buy a hard copy of this? I am on the hunt for my first AM DB9 at the moment.

Hi BBRMj, the DB9 is beautiful beast.

The guide is still alive and kicking but we have gone digital. I appreciate many prefer physical printed books but delivery and print pressures pushed us to go online for instant download.

With the very latest Kindle version you don’t need a Kindle device, the free app works fine on any computer, tablet (android and iPad) Mac, smart phone etc (it works best on a circa 10-inch-ish tablet).

The digital version looks just the same as the physical book but is up to date as of 2019 and includes the ability to zoom into images and text, to search the book for keywords (DB9, Vantage, Touchtronic, etc!), make notes on pages or bookmark individual pages for easy reference, etc.

You can also use it on multiple devices, your phone on the move, your tablet at home, your computer at work, so it is always there for reference when you get time to browse. You can also download sample pages for free to see how it looks.

Have a look here in the UK and here in the US

(PS - you can’t buy it via the Amazon app on an iPad you would need to log in via safari or another browser, some form of Apple.Amazon thing )

Thanks for the post

Edited by Grant3 on Saturday 2nd January 22:01

[Simpo Two]

As I'm planning to leap into Aston-Martin-dom soon I thought this book would be very useful. I don't like reading books on a screen so started hunting the internet for a hard copy version.

You seem to have produced a collector's item Grant; prices ranged from £330 to £950!

'Arse' I thought. Then I remembered I had a book about Astons somewhere.. not sure which one, might have been for DB7s... dig around... blimey, it's 'The Definitive Guide to new Gaydon era Aston Martin'! Had it all the time! Edition 12.5 2017.

Now I can read it, then just crawl around under the car with a torch whilst making knowledgable sounds such as 'Aha' and 'Hmm'.

[Grant3]

Simpo Two said:

Now I can read it, then just crawl around under the car with a torch whilst making knowledgable sounds such as 'Aha' and 'Hmm'.

LOL... better with the digital version as the tablet will act as a torch as you reference the guide under the car
Joking aside it works very well in digital form, I use mine on an iPad and now honestly prefer this to the printed edition

[Moonpie]

Grant -

Are there any plans for an updated digital version of your book?

Thanks in advance.

[Grant3]

Moonpie said:

Grant -

Are there any plans for an updated digital version of your book?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Moonpie, you must have a physic link We have a digital update nearing completion which will include about 50 extra pages, mainly covering new models (DBX, Vantage Roadster, AMR/manual, F1 Edition, DBS Volante, Special Editions, model year updates and extra information/images on the new generation cars...etc. I’m just waiting for a couple of new owner’s pieces and it should be good to go within the next week-ish

[Moonpie]

Thank you Grant!

Will you be posting here when the updated version is available?

Can’t wait to order mine...............Rob

[Grant3]

Moonpie said:

Thank you Grant!

Will you be posting here when the updated version is available?

Can’t wait to order mine...............Rob

Cheers Rob, yes I’ll post here when it’s complete and uploaded

[Grant3]

Just a quick one to say the updated 16th version of the guide should be live online via Amazon now, this is fully up to date as of April 2021. You will know it is live when you see the new front cover......



The core guide is as before with any applicable updates and information applied, (plus a few layout changes) the new content primarily applies to the new generation models. As the early DB11 and new Vantage are now offering excellent value more buyers are reviewing the new range, so we felt it important to enhance their coverage and also include new model year changes, colour changes/additions (inside & out) and new model launches since the last update in 2019.

Main New Content
The DIY View - A DB9 enthusiast shares his thoughts and advice on working on your own car.
New Owners reports - Vanquish S - Vanquish Zagato - New Vantage - DB11 x2
An introduction to the evolution and new features, functions and options of the new generation models - 10 additional pages.
new...Vantage AMR and Manual
Vantage Roadster
Vantage F1 Edition
Vantage 007 Edition
Vantage Model Year Changes
DB11 Shadow & Q-Editions
DB11 Model Year Changes
DBS Volante
DBS Model Year Changes
DBZ Centenary & Q-Concorde plus -007 Edition
New DBX - 15 pages
New Generation Recall & Service Action pages
Valkyrie Update
V12 Speedster
Total page count is now 403!

All you need is the free Amazon Kindle App and you can then download the guide to your tablet (iPad and Android), smart phone or computer (you can have the book on multiple devices for ease of access). It works best on tablets as it displays just like the printed book used to.

You can download a few free pages to see how they look on your device and look inside early pages on the Amazon website.

Remember you have the benefit of key word search of the entire 403 pages (ie DB9 Touchtronic), you can make notes, mark items and bookmark each page, you can zoom into images for a closer look (they are high resolution) or zoom into small text if required. And you can download and access it instantly. (Note you can’t buy via the Amazon app on an iPad, due to Apple/Amazon agreement, on an iPad use Safari or another browser to order)

UK link
US link

A huge thank-you for your continued support and input

[Moonpie]

Christmas in April. Thank you Grant!

Just downloaded from Amazon and the book looks fabulous.

Edited by Moonpie on Monday 5th April 00:06

[Grant3]

Moonpie said:

Christmas in April. Thank you Grant!

Just downloaded from Amazon and the book looks fabulous.

Cheers Moonpie, thanks for your support

[EVR]

I believe the real news here is that in a surprise turn of events, we have yet to have someone complaining having a DBX on the cover.

[Grant3]

EVR said:

I believe the real news here is that in a surprise turn of events, we have yet to have someone complaining having a DBX on the cover.

Come on EVR... it does look good doesn’t it annnnd shows the guide is up to date, even `Lambo’ have one now and Ferrari are next!

If SUV’s aren’t your thing just remember that the profits DBX will add to Aston’s coffers will help finance their core sports car development budget. Just look at Porsche as an example, without the iconic 911 halo model they wouldn’t have had as much success with Cayenne and Macan, so they ensure the profits from these help keep the 911’s halo... we hope Aston’s move also benefits their halo sports car range
win-win