1000 mile 'Highlands' round trip - Faultless 2006 Vantage

[leerandle]

So, I had done quite a bit of work on my Aston over winter as James at DAE had spotted that my rear sub frame was in need of refurbishment before it was too far gone. Anyway, whilst I took all the rear end off, I got the front suspension cleaned up and fitted some bigger brake caliper/discs. I swapped over my non valved exhaust and put a modified V12 exhaust with remote control (plus bonnet catch switch as this starting showing an error a week before setting off). After all that work and getting 4 wheel alignment, thought it was about time to go on a little tour. It ended up being 1003 miles in total with us starting off from the midlands, heading up to the Lake District, Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, Braemer, Newcastle Upon Tyne and then back home. We had a few stop offs on the way between hotels for photos, stretching legs, food etc. We planned to be driving for about 3 hours per day, so we could go from checking out of one hotel, driving and checking into next hotel with plenty of time for sightseeing and walking. After all that work over winter, plus distance that I might have a couple of issues, but the car drove without any issues whatsoever. Its now up to 76k miles and just shows you that these cars should be driven and not be garage queens. With my 20" DBS alloys, low profile wheels and original suspension, then it was occasionally a little bumpy on some of those real narrow Scottish back roads, but once back on main roads/good surface, the Vantage was fantastic. I am hoping to do a European tour next year and see no reason why now that I have total confidence in the car. Met some great people on the way, whether that was just chatting over dinner or when they saw the Aston. We even had one Australian couple follow us when in Braemer as her brother (Jim Twiddle on here !?!) lives in Australia and owns several Astons and his sister and brother in law were in the UK on a 7 month trip !! So, if you're thinking about a trip, do it, its been an absolute blast and now back home, cleaned and back in the garage.

[url]|https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/442168/202509144899219

[V8VS]

Lee, it’s good to see Truffle again!!! The trip sounds fantastic and great that the car has reassuringly performed faultlessly after the nurture given. Hope you continue to enjoy it. It sounded epic when you left the Aston event at the end of August.

[Rappa]

Looks good and something that I should do (the trip not the work on the car).

[Nigel_O]

I did a 1500-mile trip around Scotland last year in my V8V with my son. Most of it was on the NC500 with just the Applecross loop skipped.

We’re going back again early next month, and doing the Applecross loop (now it has been resurfaced) and a couple of cross-country routes too (down to Lairg and back up to Tongue). Should be about 1600-1700 miles this time.

Sure, a ‘normal’ car would be an easier drive, and MUCH cheaper, but an Aston in Scotland is just ‘right’ somehow.