The Case for the V8 Vantage (VH generation)
Discussion
Recently, I was asked to write an article on the VH-generation V8 Vantage. It was fun to do. If anyone is interested, the link is:
https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/the-cas...
https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/the-cas...
An excellent article Todd.
One tiny point. When clicking the through with the 'VH generation' link to the other article it states, 'The Henrik Fisker-designed V8 Vantage'.
He was in post at the time of the launch, but at least 80% of the exterior design had already been completed by Ian Callum. Henrik's team adjusted some detailed parts of the design. As you know, the V8V was to be an additional model to the AM range, therefore interestingly, the V8V was designed before the DB9, but the project was then put on hold, so that the DB9 (DB7 replacement) could be put into production first.
The interior design was the work of (I cannot find, or remember her name) can you help?
Jon39 said:
An excellent article Todd.
One tiny point. When clicking the through with the 'VH generation' link to the other article it states, 'The Henrik Fisker-designed V8 Vantage'.
He was in post at the time of the launch, but at least 80% of the exterior design had already been completed by Ian Callum. Henrik's team adjusted some detailed parts of the design. As you know, the V8V was to be an additional model to the AM range, therefore interestingly, the V8V was designed before the DB9, but the project was then put on hold, so that the DB9 (DB7 replacement) could be put into production first.
The interior design was the work of (I cannot find, or remember her name) can you help?
Jon39 said:
An excellent article Todd.
One tiny point. When clicking the through with the 'VH generation' link to the other article it states, 'The Henrik Fisker-designed V8 Vantage'.
He was in post at the time of the launch, but at least 80% of the exterior design had already been completed by Ian Callum. Henrik's team adjusted some detailed parts of the design. As you know, the V8V was to be an additional model to the AM range, therefore interestingly, the V8V was designed before the DB9, but the project was then put on hold, so that the DB9 (DB7 replacement) could be put into production first.
The interior design was the work of (I cannot find, or remember her name) can you help?
Thank for the link. Real nice article. Never know the swan wing door angles were 12° 
Couple of other things about the VH platform Vantage in my mind:
1. It was developed with the deep, financial, structural and process-driven pockets of Ford. I think that’s why Astons developed in that era are so reliable. (And as AM will have learnt from all this, why subsequent Astons don’t have horror story reliability!)
2. I think the VH architecture was first developed by Lotus (aluminium extrusions, castings and adhesive bonding). I heard they assisted in the VH platform design, but would love to have that confirmed.
3. As Astons have a longer product cycle than most car manufacturers, they also improve over time. Probably helped by low volume product techniques which lend themselves to being changed and modified more easily. Therefore, I feel the later the car, the more sorted.
Couple of other things about the VH platform Vantage in my mind:
1. It was developed with the deep, financial, structural and process-driven pockets of Ford. I think that’s why Astons developed in that era are so reliable. (And as AM will have learnt from all this, why subsequent Astons don’t have horror story reliability!)
2. I think the VH architecture was first developed by Lotus (aluminium extrusions, castings and adhesive bonding). I heard they assisted in the VH platform design, but would love to have that confirmed.
3. As Astons have a longer product cycle than most car manufacturers, they also improve over time. Probably helped by low volume product techniques which lend themselves to being changed and modified more easily. Therefore, I feel the later the car, the more sorted.
Neil1300r said:
Sarah Maynard. She worked in India to avoid being seen to working on the top secret project
Didn’t know the India bit. But after leaving AM, she designed and produced aluminium indicator stalks that could be upgraded to (unofficial - not an AM thing). Not available for many years now, I think the stalks was her only bugbear about the interior.Strange - I know their Ford origins bug some people, but it’s never been a detractor for me. They simply work well and blend in.
nickv12 said:
2. I think the VH architecture was first developed by Lotus (aluminium extrusions, castings and adhesive bonding). I heard they assisted in the VH platform design, but would love to have that confirmed.
The alloy chassis for Lotus and Aston Martin were originally made by Holden Lightweight Structures Limited, at premises in Worcester.
Lotus must have used the chassis concept before Aston Martin (don't know when it first appeared on a Lotus car), but I presume it was designed by Lotus, then contracted out to be built by HLS.
At some point (it would be interesting to know when), Aston Martin took over the construction of the chassis themselves and from then on, have been building them at Gaydon.
Lotus eventually bought the chassis maker and more recently have moved the operation to Hethel.
nickv12 said:
Didn’t know the India bit. But after leaving AM, she designed and produced aluminium indicator stalks that could be upgraded to (unofficial - not an AM thing). Not available for many years now, I think the stalks was her only bugbear about the interior.
Strange - I know their Ford origins bug some people, but it’s never been a detractor for me. They simply work well and blend in.
I recall having read somewhere that the very first prototype was registered in India for this reason. Maybe in the Definitive Guide book?Strange - I know their Ford origins bug some people, but it’s never been a detractor for me. They simply work well and blend in.
I found out about those indicators way too late, now it's impossible to buy them.
Dewi 2 said:
The alloy chassis for Lotus and Aston Martin were originally made by Holden Lightweight Structures Limited, at premises in Worcester.
Lotus must have used the chassis concept before Aston Martin (don't know when it first appeared on a Lotus car), but I presume it was designed by Lotus, then contracted out to be built by HLS.
At some point (it would be interesting to know when), Aston Martin took over the construction of the chassis themselves and from then on, have been building them at Gaydon.
Lotus eventually bought the chassis maker and more recently have moved the operation to Hethel.
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/ne...
I wonder if the whole chassis process was in-house in time for the DB9 launch. Perhaps only the original Vanquish was subcontracted out? Not a clue, so don’t take any of my guesses as gospel.
EVR said:
I recall having read somewhere that the very first prototype was registered in India for this reason. Maybe in the Definitive Guide book?
I don't know anything about the concept car being registered in India, but it was built in India, by DC Design of Mumbai.
Picture - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...
Whether that was for secrecy, or other reasons, I don't know.
Probably unusual for concept cars, but very few external changes were made, before production began more than two years later.
The concept car is said to be based on a DB7 Vantage Volante with shortened wheelbase. That title would indicate a V12. AMHT would know, because I think the car was eventually passed to them.
EVR said:
nickv12 said:
Didn’t know the India bit. But after leaving AM, she designed and produced aluminium indicator stalks that could be upgraded to (unofficial - not an AM thing). Not available for many years now, I think the stalks was her only bugbear about the interior.
Strange - I know their Ford origins bug some people, but it’s never been a detractor for me. They simply work well and blend in.
I recall having read somewhere that the very first prototype was registered in India for this reason. Maybe in the Definitive Guide book?Strange - I know their Ford origins bug some people, but it’s never been a detractor for me. They simply work well and blend in.
I found out about those indicators way too late, now it's impossible to buy them.
I didn't like her indicator stalks as they fitted over the existing ones, so just a sleeve
Jon39 said:
I don't know anything about the concept car being registered in India, but it was built in India, by DC Design of Mumbai.
Picture - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...
Whether that was for secrecy, or other reasons, I don't know.
Probably unusual for concept cars, but very few external changes were made, before production began more than two years later.
The concept car is said to be based on a DB7 Vantage Volante with shortened wheelbase. That title would indicate a V12. AMHT would know, because I think the car was eventually passed to them.
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