Interview with designer - V8V DB9

[Pentoman]

I've no idea if these have been posted here before, found these old links and thought I would share for those that like reading up on the backstory to things.

http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_491.shtml
http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_492.shtml
http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_493.shtml

[Jon39]

Thank you for posting.

I had not seen these webpages before. Funny, even with many different searches, how little gems can remain hidden. I can add the Vantage interview to my history file.

Two points to mention.

1. The Vantage concept was unveiled in January 2003. Concepts are often very different from the cars eventually produced. In this case though, the differences were minimal.

2. Ten years on from the unveiling, production continues, and the shape is still considered stunning. Probably fairly unusual in the world of automoblie design.

[quench]

Interesting read, thank you.

Agreed, Fisker's original designs are true classics that will stand the test of time, for many decades, not just ten years. Reichman's attempts to update have been a mixed bag, IMO, certainly none as clean and elegant as the original.

The only thing that grates on the actual production cars is excessive wheel-fender gap. Yuck! Not sure why Aston persist with this - plenty of others do not seem to have this issue.

Sarah Maynard gets no mention in the article even when the beautiful interior is briefly discussed. Oh well, I guess it was Fisker's interview, after all.

[montecristo]

Thank you for that. I knew about Ian Callum's role in the design, but not Fisker's. He's designed some good looking cars.

[Pentoman]

Well I'm glad, then, that others found this interesting. I was particularly interested when they discuss the choice of being a designer, versus being a chief designer where you spend more time managing people rather than just drawing.

As a new owner (V8V) I'm looking to use the car to do new things, meet new people, and have some fun. Can anyone recommend anything that I should look to get involved with? Are factory tours available? So far I have just enjoyed giving rides to friends and neighbours.

[MollyGTi]

Pentoman said:

As a new owner (V8V) I'm looking to use the car to do new things, meet new people, and have some fun. Can anyone recommend anything that I should look to get involved with? Are factory tours available?

Stick around here as things tend to get more interesting in the Spring and there are usually some meets/drives to tag along on. From time to time tours at Gaydon and Newport Pagnell crop up and 3 years into the wonderful world of Astons Rob & I are quite familiar with both! If you bought your car through an AM dealer get to know them better and tell them you would love to go to Gaydon as the dealer network regularly invite customers along (particularly those who they think might be in the market to upgrade, obviously )