True origins of the AML V12

[nickv12]

From over in Facebook land, I only just came across this article, reproduced from the AMHT publication…

https://www.designjudges.com/articles/the-origins-...

A true source of information by one person core to the development team. Really interesting!

It’s not just two Duratecs welded together (no surprise!), but there’s a strong family connection, which makes a whole load of sense.

But I never realised Porsche helped develop the Duratec for Ford in the first place. Thank goodness they didn’t have anything to do with the fire breathing noise of the V12

[quench]

Fascinating read. Thanks for posting!

I had to laugh when he assessed himself as having been "young and stupid". Often, as in this case, the best outcomes occur when the talents of someone young and stupid are recognized and given free rein by another who is older and wiser.

[oilit]

WOW

Thank you - indeed fascinating read.

Makes me want to meet that guy - i bet you could lose an evening listening to his stories….he had a fascinating early start to his career.

[stevewak]

If I can blow my own trumpet, I am the editor of ASTON, the yearbook of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust , who worked closely with Anthony on this piece (and another the following year).

Whatever your opinion of 'Clubs', the AMHT is dedicated to preserving the history of the marque and ASTON is highly regarded. Back copies are available from the Museum near Henley and all Trust members receive one for free every Christmas. The proportion of pre-War content has been drastically cut back from the old days; it is now much more up-to-date and colourful.

[nickv12]

stevewak said:

If I can blow my own trumpet, I am the editor of ASTON, the yearbook of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust , who worked closely with Anthony on this piece (and another the following year).

Whatever your opinion of 'Clubs', the AMHT is dedicated to preserving the history of the marque and ASTON is highly regarded. Back copies are available from the Museum near Henley and all Trust members receive one for free every Christmas. The proportion of pre-War content has been drastically cut back from the old days; it is now much more up-to-date and colourful.

Blow away! It was a great article, Steve. Congrats in getting it published along with Anthony.

I am an AMOC member but have yet to visit the museum. It's definitely on my list for 2022.

[nickv12]

oilit said:

WOW

Thank you - indeed fascinating read.

Makes me want to meet that guy - i bet you could lose an evening listening to his stories….he had a fascinating early start to his career.

100%!

[Agent57]

Thanks for posting.

I love stories like this. Success is never guaranteed and as many company politics issues to overcome as engineering ones.

With the DB7 history and the V12 engine history it's a wonder the DB7 Vantage ever existed. Yet the engine and styling set the Aston tone for decades.

[Dewi 2]

stevewak said:

If I can blow my own trumpet, I am the editor of ASTON, the yearbook of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust , who worked closely with Anthony on this piece (and another the following year).

Whatever your opinion of 'Clubs' ...

Thank you Steve for your work.
I have so enjoyed reading the latest edition of ASTON. Really interesting articles and a far better publication than that other one.

A question please.
Are direct supporters/members of the AMHT, able to view more on the website than those who have their membership via AMOC?

I have seen some excellent webpage articles, but cannot find them when searching later, although there are a few sometimes found on the Wayback Machine website. Perhaps they are only published on the AMHT website for a short time. I am sure many would like to be able to see some archive material online.

Understandably fund raising is crucial, but unless I am not using the AMHT website properly, much of it seems to be selling merchandise.

[Westlondondriver]

stevewak said:

If I can blow my own trumpet, I am the editor of ASTON, the yearbook of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust , who worked closely with Anthony on this piece (and another the following year).

Whatever your opinion of 'Clubs', the AMHT is dedicated to preserving the history of the marque and ASTON is highly regarded. Back copies are available from the Museum near Henley and all Trust members receive one for free every Christmas. The proportion of pre-War content has been drastically cut back from the old days; it is now much more up-to-date and colourful.

I enjoyed the article and decided to take a punt and join AMHT based on your note. £35 a year seems like good value - hopefully make it out to the museum some time.

[bogie]

Great article - thanks

[Djit]

A great read.

Longevity designed into the engine with collector status in mind. Now that's foresight!

Thanks for sharing.

[stevewak]

Dewi 2 said:

Thank you Steve for your work.
I have so enjoyed reading the latest edition of ASTON. Really interesting articles and a far better publication than that other one.

A question please.
Are direct supporters/members of the AMHT, able to view more on the website than those who have their membership via AMOC?

I have seen some excellent webpage articles, but cannot find them when searching later, although there are a few sometimes found on the Wayback Machine website. Perhaps they are only published on the AMHT website for a short time. I am sure many would like to be able to see some archive material online.

Understandably fund raising is crucial, but unless I am not using the AMHT website properly, much of it seems to be selling merchandise.

Thanks for the kind comments. Appreciated. I will investigate about the AMHT site and report back. The collections one is good if you are looking for a photo from the archive: https://amht.collectionsindex.com/results

[Dewi 2]

stevewak said:

Thanks for the kind comments. Appreciated. I will investigate about the AMHT site and report back. The collections one is good if you are looking for a photo from the archive: https://amht.collectionsindex.com/results

Thank you Steve.

I looked again earlier today and discovered the Collections section. Don't know why that was difficult for me to find before. Perhaps I thought collections meant Aston Martin caps and shirts for sale.

Yes really good, because it will assist with my private interest in the chronological sequence and stories about the very early cars. The photos and captions help greatly, because many internet journalists seem to write about the history, which later turns out to contain inaccuracies.

I think my only question now therefore is, when particular articles are published on the website, are they routinely removed after a while, or is it me subsequently not being able to find them again? It would be good if they could remain somewhere on the site, because of the historical interest.

[stevewak]

Dewi 2 said:

I think my only question now therefore is, when particular articles are published on the website, are they routinely removed after a while, or is it me subsequently not being able to find them again? It would be good if they could remain somewhere on the site, because of the historical interest.

Good points, though you have to balance posting stuff online when you would rather people paid for it! I have asked.

[Dewi 2]

stevewak said:

Good points, though you have to balance posting stuff online when you would rather people paid for it! I have asked.

In case it might be helpful, I think I have spotted an error with the description of a photo. V8 Vantage Concept.

Object name Concept

Production date 2003

Object number (per part)
AMHT-2019-1173L

The photo of the Blue car I think, should state Geneva, not Detroit.
As far as I know, the car originally unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in Jan 2003, was grey colour.
I understand that it was repainted blue, before being displayed at the Geneva Show in March 2003.

[paulrog1]

Great article, I love reading this kind of stuff.