The Definitive Guide to Gaydon-era ASTON MARTIN

[Grant3]

For EVR... the inside first page......



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 thumbup

[EVR]

Grant3 said:

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

Don't get me wrong, I am all for having the DBX on the cover, I was just expecting someone to point it out along with classic comments "not a real Aston blah blah" and to my surprise, it did not happened. The irony, you thought I was The One!

I have to say, that first page is remarkable.

Edited by EVR on Saturday 10th April 12:01

[Grant3]

Thanks EVR, I hope the cover doesn’t put people off, if it becomes an issue we can always change it.

There are well over 500 high-res images covering all aspects of all the models, so plenty for anti-DBXers

We have also reworked some of the existing pages, particularly where the printed book featured a DPS (double page spread) that doesn’t display on Kindle... here’s an example (lower res for ease of upload)

[EVR]

I can vouch your work is incredible, I cherish my 2014 edition dearly.

[Grant3]

EVR said:

I cherish my edition dearly.

Cheers EVR

[Emilio Largo]

Thomas Fattorini? Vaughtons, I thought.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a22658987...

[Grant3]

Emilio Largo said:

Thomas Fattorini? Vaughtons, /

It’s a nightmare writing a guide on a range that is continually evolving... everywhere.... Thomas Fattorini have produced a range of Aston Martin badge jewellery over time, but you are right Vaughtons should also be mentioned..... I’ll add them, thanks Emilio

[Emilio Largo]

And whilst at it perhaps re-check the notorious lightweight seats issue on the N430: I still don´t believe these were standard (i.e. no-cost option) specification.

[Grant3]

Emilio Largo said:

And whilst at it perhaps re-check the notorious lightweight seats issue on the N430: I still don´t believe these were standard (i.e. no-cost option) specification.

Aston are a nightmare for varying their specifications and also quoting them differently in different places (web - brochure - releases), you would not believe how many hours it takes to try and cross check everything for best accuracy, which is what we try and do. I'm confident we have the most accurate information available anywhere, all in one place, to the extent that we have dealer's buying the guide so they have reference to all the models (past and present) in one place , of course that doesn't mean that there isn't the odd spec change or country variance that sneaks under the checking procedure.

Here is the N430 press release also covering lightweight seats, I have some PDF's/brochures/order forms somewhere as well...somewhere!.....
Note Ian Minards words 4th paragraph below the image

http://www2.astonmartin.com/live/news/2014/02/19/a...

Edited to add Ian’s excerpt...

"The dynamic exhilaration of Vantage is the perfect complement to the eye-catching looks of the N430
Ally that inherent dynamic capability to lightweight and sporting-biased features as standard such as carbon fibre and Kevlar® seats and ten-spoke forged alloy wheels in a new graphite painted finish – together yielding a weight saving of 20 kg – and it’s clear that the GT4-inspired N430 has been created to deliver exceptional performance with a club sport ethos."

Edited by Grant3 on Saturday 10th April 14:43

[Emilio Largo]

Alright: Grant Neal 1 - Emilio Largo 0

Given the controversy, you may understand that neither the press release nor the official brochure will 100% convince me. So, if you should stumble across an original order form or price list that would really be of interest .



Totally unrelated to the seats "issue" I would love to get hold of an original UK or German MY17 options´ price list.

[Grant3]

As a thankyou to all those that have supported the digital version I have managed to persuade Amazon to send the option of a full update to the latest guide for all who have already purchased the Kindle edition. Amazon control the distribution and they don’t usually allow new editions as an update (they should be listed separately) but with a bit of arm twisting they have agreed on this occasion.

THANKYOU for your support in buying the digital version - Update to the 16th edition for free




Log into to your Amazon account
Go to Your Account
Account Settings
Content & Devices
Then look for the Definitive guide to Gaydon era Aston Martin in your content and you should see an "update" link.. click that and it should update to the new 16th edition.

It may take a few days to roll out worldwide, but it should appear.
If you enjoy the guide please do give it a review on Amazon and spread the word to fellow Aston fans, your support is appreciated

[DB4DM]

Late to the subject I know but is there a paper version to suit non techies like me?

[Grant3]

DB4DM said:

Late to the subject I know but is there a paper version to suit non techies like me?

Hi DB4DM, thanks for your post, the guide is digital only at the moment. If you use a tablet/iPad it looks pretty much like the printed guide.
Just get the free Kindle app (Google Play store or Apple app store) and you can download some free pages to see how it feels to you. You don’t need to be a techie honest

[DB4DM]

Hi, thanks Grant. We'll have a look for our surface pro

[DB4DM]

Success! Thanks very much, looks good and at 407 pages I can see why you kept it digital

[TCTVR]

Bought the book in Kindle form a few days ago and am enjoying reading it on my PC. However, it will not open on my rather ancient 10 year old Ipad or Kindle Reader. Can anybody advise whether a new Ipad and / or Kindle Reader will work with the book and, if so, is there a minimum spec etc. required?

TIA

TC

Edited by TCTVR on Thursday 22 July 14:09

[Grant3]

TCTVR said:

Bought the book in Kindle form a few days ago and am enjoying reading it on my PC. However, it will not open on my rather ancient 10 year old Ipad or Kindle Reader. Can anybody advise whether a new Ipad and / or Kindle Reader will work with the book and, if so, is there a minimum spec etc. [/footnote]

Hi TCTVR… thanks for your support the guide is best viewed on a tablet of around 10-inches and should work fine on an iPad or Kindle Fire, I use my copy on both all the time and we haven’t had any feedback of this issue previously.

Are you using the latest Kindle app on both and looking at your library to find the guide in your purchased books to then download/view, if so let me know and I’ll suggest a couple of other things to check.

[TCTVR]

Grant3 said:

TCTVR said:

Bought the book in Kindle form a few days ago and am enjoying reading it on my PC. However, it will not open on my rather ancient 10 year old Ipad or Kindle Reader. Can anybody advise whether a new Ipad and / or Kindle Reader will work with the book and, if so, is there a minimum spec etc. [/footnote]

Hi TCTVR… thanks for your support the guide is best viewed on a tablet of around 10-inches and should work fine on an iPad or Kindle Fire, I use my copy on both all the time and we haven’t had any feedback of this issue previously.

Are you using the latest Kindle app on both and looking at your library to find the guide in your purchased books to then download/view, if so let me know and I’ll suggest a couple of other things to check.

Thanks for your help. A little more research and detail.

The Ipad is 2nd generation running on IOS 9.3.5 and is no longer supported by Apple. The Kindle app. apparently needs the later / newer software running at 64bits.

The Kindle is actually the Kindle Paperwhite and, as such, does not download apps. The book shows in the library but adivses it is "unavailable for download as the item is not compatible with this device".

So, it would seem a new toy is in order??

[Grant3]

TCTVR said:

Thanks for your help. A little more research and detail.
The Ipad is 2nd generation running on IOS 9.3.5 and is no longer supported by Apple. The Kindle app. apparently needs the later / newer software running at 64bits.
The Kindle is actually the Kindle Paperwhite and, as such, does not download apps. The book shows in the library but adivses it is "unavailable for download as the item is not compatible with this device".
So, it would seem a new toy is in order??

Blimey they are steam driven
The old paper white is only for novels, not for colour images unfortunately. Apple have this habit of stopping software updates for their older tech (to be fair Android are the same)….ultimately so you have to buy a new one after a few years, 2nd gen is now very old if you search online there are some tricks to allow you get an older version of Kindle onto a 2nd gen ipad, if you fancy the challenge!

As you say time for a nice shiny new 10-inch tablet with all the bells and whistles to enjoy and a higher resolution screen, the guide will work fine on Amazon Fire, Apple iPad or Android tablet, etc.

[volvodrummer]

Hi Grant,

I have both an earlier edition of your guide as well as the latest Kindle edition. Awesome work. Out of curiosity, is there a way for me to print or have made a physical copy of my newest edition that wouldn't put your IP at risk? I would love to browse it the olde fashioned way.

Best,
Matt