Tuesday 3rd May 2016

Aston Martin Sunday Service: 22/5/16

Another weekend, another Sunday Service and one of our favourites to boot!

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It seems there's no stopping Aston Martin, be it remixes of old favourites in the shape of the Vantage GT12 and GT8 - and the manual V12 Vantage S - the track-only Vulcan or the all-new DB11 we had our first spin in just the other day.

Among all this Aston Martin has somehow found time in its hectic schedule to invite PistonHeads back for another Sunday Service at the company HQ in Gaydon. Those attending will have the good fortune to see these new Astons as well as get a behind-the-scenes look at where and how they are made. Tradition is, of course, a big part of the Aston Martin story too and there will be a chance to walk down memory lane and gaze upon Aston Martin's heritage fleet. Need more? There will even be experts on hand to tell you all the stories about the cars on display. Want to get hands on? There will also be some racing simulators on which to prove your (virtual) driving mettle.

A little bit of housekeeping before you sign up. As it's a live manufacturing site access to some areas is restricted and attendees will need to sign a confidentiality agreement. We'll send a link to this by email to those attending so make sure your email address is up to date in your profile and add your name to the calendar here.

Details:
Date: May 22 2016
Cost: Free: Haribo or Beer (if you're feeling generous)
Start time: 0900h
Finish: 1300h
Total places available: 350

Location:
Aston Martin
Banbury Rd,
Gaydon,
Warwick
CV35 0DB

 

 

[Impasse]

There's date typo in the text - unless the event is on the 8th May and not the 22nd as per the sign up page?

[Impasse]

VanquishRider said:

Bit of a strange date. That is the same Day as the National Aston Show at Duxford. How to alienate the AMOC members... Why would you make them clash? Clearly trying to interest non Aston Owners???

Have a great day. Just off to remove my name from the list. Can't be in 2 places at once

I'm an Aston owner. I've got my name down for this event as I have no interest in going to the AMOC thing.

[Impasse]

Lovely morning out. Lots to see in the sunshine. Thanks PH peeps.

[Impasse]

[Impasse]

You could always book and pay for a tour of the Aston Martin factory or you could gripe about being forced to turn up to a free event that may have some restrictions in place.

[Impasse]

giblet said:

Was there a white Lotus Carlton in the car park? I seem to recall driving past one on my way in but it wasn't there later on when I had a look around and no one seems to have taken any pics of it?

Elsewhere the internet said:

For those who don't know the car, it was built up (from a Vauxhall Carlton shell) into a Lotus Carlton replica by Joe Ellis of BTB Exhausts, Daventry for racing at the Silver State road race in Nevada, USA. I believe he competed on two occasions and left the car over there in the mean time. He achieved some unholy average speed over the 90 mile distance, which is now written on the boot-lid with a map of the route (à la Nürburgring sticker).

Due to the unusual nature of the race, he was faced with a few unique problems, notably cooling. I think he added a rear differential oil cooler on the advice of Hethel and possibly a larger fuel tank. I believe that the Big Block V8 driving Americans were mightily impressed with the speeds that the relatively small capacity Lotus achieved. Remember that the Lotus Carlton/Omega was never sold there, so no-one knew what it was.

After the second event Joe brought the car back home and didn't use it for a while, before recommissioning it a couple of years ago. I think he didn't want to push his luck any more after getting airborne at nigh-on 180mph!