V12R in build

[silverspeed]

Thanks for all the comments. Just got to decide now how much to cover in paint protection film !

[mikey k]

I think that would have been my colour in a V12VR as well - nice
I'd have specced the standard dark grill to try and tie in with the CF
On the film I can HIGHLY recommend the 3M VS full kit for the V12V, I did my whole bonnet as well but the S doesn't have the vents

[silverspeed]

mikey k said:

I think that would have been my colour in a V12VR as well - nice
I'd have specced the standard dark grill to try and tie in with the CF
On the film I can HIGHLY recommend the 3M VS full kit for the V12V, I did my whole bonnet as well but the S doesn't have the vents

It was a difficult decision with the grill as it was with the exhaust finishers but as the bright door trim and polished DT wheels were non optioned I thought some bright at the front and rear woulod tie it all in. Its not a massive job to replace these at a later date but in the production environment it looked good. Thanks for info on Venture Shield.

[Alwin]

I am also opting for the full Venture Shield.

Got it on my yellow 458 and it's completely invisible. Even in the sun, when it's clean, you can't spot the difference in color between the unshielded and shielded surfaces.

[jonby]

My only questions are how far to go with the VS, not if I fit it. I'm going to enquire about full bonnet & front wings to avoid the lines.

But the more important ones for me, if they can do it, are the rails around the windscreen which can pick up chips and the tonneau cover as from past experience the hood does mark it unless you have the 1" wide strip the factory fit, which looks awful, because one of the lines is facing forward an picks up dirt so becomes very obvious

But if I do all that, it might be cheaper & simpler to simply enquire about doing the whole car.........

[jonby]

I was also torn about the grill etc. Bearing in mind the V12VR has the CF side strakes, rear light detailing & mirrors, I thought about going completely stealth (black grill, black mesh behind the strakes, black exhaust finishers), in which instance I'd have had the wheels painted all black too

But I know, particularly if I went for a dark colour (which I did in the end), I'd be frustrated unless I also had the window surrounds de-chromed. I even thought about getting the locks, boot button & model badge done in black if I went down that road

But like for many who have ordered V12VR, I see this car as a keeper and I worried that stealth look would not date well

So I decided to embrace the silver instead and went for bright grill, standard (bright) exhaust finishers and special option liquid silver wheels (from V12V options) - I think they will contrast well against the paintwork and look better than if there were just one or two small bits in silver/chrome

It really is a tough decision when you get down to the nitty gritty bits but it's been a thoroughly enjoyable process

[Alwin]

jonby said:

I was also torn about the grill etc. Bearing in mind the V12VR has the CF side strakes, rear light detailing & mirrors, I thought about going completely stealth (black grill, black mesh behind the strakes, black exhaust finishers), in which instance I'd have had the wheels painted all black too

That's what I did.

And also what I am doing to my current V12 Vantage, including the de-chroming of the window surounds. Looks great! (pics soon, when the full de-chrome is complete).

[Alwin]

silverspeed,
Thanks for sending me the hi-res pics and for allowing me to use them on my AM blog.
Here's the resulting post:

Another V12 Vantage Roadster completes its run through the Aston Martin factory, this one in Volcano Red.
http://www.aston-martin.com/2012/11/06/v12-vantage...

[mikey k]

Alwin said:

silverspeed,
Thanks for sending me the hi-res pics and for allowing me to use them on my AM blog.
Here's the resulting post:

Another V12 Vantage Roadster completes its run through the Aston Martin factory, this one in Volcano Red.
http://www.aston-martin.com/2012/11/06/v12-vantage...

I like that Volcano Red in the factory lights

[paddy328]

Folks, don't forget to make sure the paint is perfect under the film before its applied. Then make sure the guys fitting it don't apply scratched film or don't scratch/swirl the film when applying it.

The guys who did silverspeeds first v12 did an awesome job. So graham, get those guys to apply it again. the guy who does the film for Broughtons in chelt is also good. Sadly not all are as good.

[silverspeed]

jonby said:

I was also torn about the grill etc. Bearing in mind the V12VR has the CF side strakes, rear light detailing & mirrors, I thought about going completely stealth (black grill, black mesh behind the strakes, black exhaust finishers), in which instance I'd have had the wheels painted all black too

But I know, particularly if I went for a dark colour (which I did in the end), I'd be frustrated unless I also had the window surrounds de-chromed. I even thought about getting the locks, boot button & model badge done in black if I went down that road

But like for many who have ordered V12VR, I see this car as a keeper and I worried that stealth look would not date well

So I decided to embrace the silver instead and went for bright grill, standard (bright) exhaust finishers and special option liquid silver wheels (from V12V options) - I think they will contrast well against the paintwork and look better than if there were just one or two small bits in silver/chrome

It really is a tough decision when you get down to the nitty gritty bits but it's been a thoroughly enjoyable process

It is a fantastic process but can be mind blowing. Spec CF interior pack to match the door handles do you then go obsidian roof lining to keep in dark and stealthy or tailors grey to match the stitch and lighten up the interior - or should the stitch be red to match the car ahhh a red roof lining that would be different !!?? Its amazing how one decision influences another.
Life is about making decisions and I should really just be very grateful to be in the position to be able to have the choice !!

[DB9 Ian P]

Great pictures Graham. Mine is at Grange in Exeter awaiting my return from Mauritius. They have sent me a teasing picture but cannot work out how to post. Fantastic holiday but cannot wait to get home and get the V12Vr. The weather here is perfect for the corsa tyres - not sure it will be back home in Britain

[silverspeed]

DB9 Ian P said:

Great pictures Graham. Mine is at Grange in Exeter awaiting my return from Mauritius. They have sent me a teasing picture but cannot work out how to post. Fantastic holiday but cannot wait to get home and get the V12Vr. The weather here is perfect for the corsa tyres - not sure it will be back home in Britain

Ian enjoy the sunshine there int much here!

[LordBretSinclair]

How's the handicap Ian ?

I'm popping in to see Lloyd on Thursday so may get some decent photos of your baby for you then

[Triple7]

Totally awesome to see your car 'in-build'. You can never sell it!

[hornbaek]

My problem with the V12R is head room. The very well padded edge of the roof is so thick that my head bounces against it. Has anyone of you specced the hard backed racing seats and if yes - does that give you a bit more headroom than the sport seats.? I tested a V8R for comparison and was told that the V12R is identical. (I'm 6:3 tall).

[jonby]

Alwin said:

jonby said:

I was also torn about the grill etc. Bearing in mind the V12VR has the CF side strakes, rear light detailing & mirrors, I thought about going completely stealth (black grill, black mesh behind the strakes, black exhaust finishers), in which instance I'd have had the wheels painted all black too

That's what I did.

And also what I am doing to my current V12 Vantage, including the de-chroming of the window surounds. Looks great! (pics soon, when the full de-chrome is complete).

will the wheels be all black or black/DT ? I've always thought an all black V12 wheel would look pretty good, though with the dark CF brakes, a bright coloured calliper inbetween, say in yellow or red, would probably work best

[jonby]

silverspeed said:

Its amazing how one decision influences another.

that was the issue I had, especially with things like thread colour & type, but overall, I wouldn't have it any other way

[jonby]

hornbaek said:

My problem with the V12R is head room. The very well padded edge of the roof is so thick that my head bounces against it. Has anyone of you specced the hard backed racing seats and if yes - does that give you a bit more headroom than the sport seats.? I tested a V8R for comparison and was told that the V12R is identical. (I'm 6:3 tall).

V8 & V12 Rs will be identical for space

I have only ever had the 'hard backed racing seats' - just to add to the confusion, they are known as 'lightweight seats' whereas standard seats are known as 'sports seats'

I am just over 6' and have worn a full helmet with the roof closed which was snug, but doable - I have done a full day at both Silverstone & the ring like that

But the only way to be sure is to try a V8R with the lighweights.

Alwin/Silverspeed - did you clock how many of the V12VRs appeared to have lightweights ? It seems not many from what the pics so far have shown ? I understand why, particularly if heated seats are really important to the owner, but I could never go back to the 'standard' sports seat now...........

[mikey k]

hornbaek said:

My problem with the V12R is head room. The very well padded edge of the roof is so thick that my head bounces against it. Has anyone of you specced the hard backed racing seats and if yes - does that give you a bit more headroom than the sport seats.? I tested a V8R for comparison and was told that the V12R is identical. (I'm 6:3 tall).

I'm just over 6' I had a standard roadster and found it tight getting in but it was fine once in.
I had the seat on it's lowest setting
The light weight seats are harder to get in with the roof up because of the side supports

Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 7th November 11:31