Month: April 2020

Overview

When David Brown, the renowned gearbox manufacturer, acquired Aston Martin, he also bought the Lagonda brand, of solely for its inline-six 2.6-liter engine, designed by W. O. Bentley back in 1943. The first Aston of the David Brown era, DB2, was equipped with this engine and was styled by Frank Feeley. It appeared in production guise in 1950. For the period, it was quite sophisticated, with its coil-spring suspension, independent in the front and a live axle in the rear, located by a Panhard rod, and its hydraulic drum brakes. At first, the engine produced only 105 hp, but in high-compression Vantage spec this offered around 125 hp (the first time the Vantage name was used on an Aston Martin), but this version with its big carburetors and bigger inlet valves was at the time unsuitable for use in Britain, due to the low-grade gasoline then available in the British Isles (a consequence of wartime rationing). The car had a top speed of c. 185 kph and a 0-100 kph time of about 12 seconds, slightly faster if a Vantage. In the period the DB2 was praised for its great road manners and an aura of genuine sportiness, and it was also widely raced and rallied. There was, however, almost no space for baggage, and no trunk opening in the traditionally engineered aluminum body, just a small access hatch for the spare wheel.

This shortcoming was addressed in the second iteration of the DB2, the DB2/4, introduced in October of 1953, with a raised roofline, a large rear window, a smaller fuel tank, and a proper baggage compartment, accessed via a large hatch: thus the DB2/4 was probably the first hatchback car of all time. The cockpit became more comfortable in the Mk II version, and a fly-off hand brake was introduced. Produced until 1957, the 2/4 received a 3-liter engine in 1954. The venerable inline-six was modernized by the Polish-born engine genius, Tadek Marek, employed by David Brown in 1953. The reliability of the motor was greatly improved, too, due to a number of detail changes. The last iteration of the DB2/4 is the Mark III, produced between 1957 and 1959, incorporating the 3-liter motor with improvements by Marek. This is the only Aston Martin model which James Bond drives in the original Ian Fleming books, namely in “Goldfinger”, where it is equipped with a number of special gadgets. This is not widely known, as most people are only familiar with the James Bond films today, however, the DB2 series enjoys a growing recognition due to the whole classic Aston range following in the footsteps of the DB5, and becoming more popular with time.

Engine

The engine is basically strong, but due to the necessity of applying the correct torque to the engine head bolts in order to avoid head gasket problems (cylinder liners must be perfectly seated in the block) may be severely damaged if not repaired with skill. Make sure the vendor supplies not only a gapless history of the whole car but also a complete set of invoices detailing the maintenance and repairs of the engine. If in any doubt, budget for an engine overhaul right away.

Gearbox

The four-speed gearbox came from David Brown’s own gearbox company. It is slightly agricultural but generally strong. Listen for untoward sounds and make sure there are maintenance records which prove beyond any doubt what has been done.

Bodywork

The aluminum body will not rust, but check for peeling and otherwise damaged or badly repaired paintwork. Where the body meets the steel frame, electrolysis can occur, with disastrous consequences. The steel frame will also rust, and detailed inspection by a specialist is unavoidable. Wooden blocks are used as mounts for some parts, and these, of course, deteriorate with time and are not visible at first glance.

Chassis

The suspension, especially the independent front layout, requires regular maintenance (greasing, etc.). Without it, it very quickly requires an extremely costly overhaul. have a specialist check the current condition of the chassis before purchase.

Interior

Seats can always be repaired or upholstered, but it is much more difficult to source small details. Check the cabin for traces of water ingress, check that all gauges and switches work, and check the woodwork for cracks or splitting. Items can be sourced via marque clubs.

History

1950: DB2 launched
1953: DB2 production ends, DB2/4 production begins
1954: 3-liter engine introduced
1957: DB2/4 Mark III, simply known as “Mark III”, production begins
1959: Mark III production ends

How much to pay

• Project: €60,000 – €70,000
• Good: €150,000 – €250,000
• Vantage/Vantage Cabriolet: €400,000 – €500,000

The DRIVERSHALL Verdict

The Aston Martin DB2 is a characterful postwar sports car which requires careful maintenance and a lot of driving skill in order to extract the maximum driving enjoyment from it. The values in the classic car market are rising, but this should not detract from the fact that full restorations are expensive. Therefore either the best available car should be bought, after a consultation with a marque specialist, or, alternatively, a well-documented project car may be bought and a generous restoration estimate budgeted for. For the period, it is a fast car and has to be treated with the respect it deserves.

Following the House of Rolls-Royce’s recent announcement of the highest annual results in its 115-year history, the marque reflects on some of 2018’s finest examples of Bespoke engineering, design and craftsmanship. Rolls-Royce ignores mass-luxury ‘tick-box’ options in favor of Bespoke creations that no other manufacturer can hope to achieve.

2018 will be remembered as one of the most ambitious years for the marque’s Bespoke Collective, the specialized unit at Goodwood, West Sussex, UK. Customers are offered almost limitless opportunities to bring their own personal vision to their Rolls-Royce motor car. The brand has an expertly honed understanding of the super-luxury market’s requirement for personally tailored and finely crafted items that are more frequently found in the world of watchmaking, yachts, architecture and private aviation.

Rolls-Royce Phantom ‘Whispered Muse’ is a contemporary masterpiece that reinterprets Charles Sykes’ original drawings of the Spirit of Ecstasy, the legendary Rolls-Royce radiator mascot. Whispered Muse’s design embraces Phantom’s unique glass ‘Gallery’, an area in which to exhibit unique works of art and design, by incorporating a sculpted silk adaptation of the Spirit of Ecstasy, created by British artist Helen Amy Murray. The feminine form of the ‘Graceful Little Goddess’ is echoed throughout the Bespoke treatment of the motor car. As a finishing touch, the Spirit of Ecstasy is crafted from Rose Gold – a first for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Bespoke division.

An impressively creative twist on Dawn delivers an important narrative that pays homage to Czech and Slovak airmen who served in RAF squadrons No. 312 and No. 313 during the Battle of Britain. The livery of Spitfires used by these Czechoslovak Squadrons inspired Dawn’s solid Grey exterior and Black coach line. Inside, the door flight on the driver side carries the motto of the 313th Squadron: “Jeden Jestráb Mnoho Vran Rozhání” (“One hawk chases away many crows”), while the passenger side commemorates the guiding principle of the 312th Squadron: “Non-Multi Sed Multa” (“Not many, but much”). Intricate embroidery on the headrests depicts the badges of the two squadrons and between the rear seats, there is an interpretation of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine that powered famous fighter planes like the Hurricane and the Spitfire.

Another outstanding example of Rolls-Royce’s pinnacle motor car is a highly Bespoke Phantom known as the ‘Gentleman’s Tourer’, which presents an aesthetic carefully tailored for trans-continental Grand Touring, echoing a grand tradition of the past. The interior is a masculine, operational space, created for long, ultra-luxurious journeys. One feature in particular highlights the technical modernity of this motor car, the Gallery is fashioned from ruthenium, a precious metal from the platinum group, never before used in a car. With only 20 tons mined annually worldwide, compared with 2,500 tons of gold, this is an especially precious addition to a contemporary Phantom.

Google’s Vice President of Engineering and a well-known car enthusiast, Benjamin Treynor Sloss, took delivery of a very personal Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge at 2018’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance. The Bespoke Collective at Rolls-Royce reinterpreted the yellow-and-blue color scheme favored across the rest of his collection, inspired by the colors of the Modenese flag. A new, intense deep yellow named ‘Superflare’ is paired with the darkest of navy blues named ‘Pikes Peak Blue’ – due to Mr. Sloss’s interest in that king of timed hill climbs. The vivid color scheme is continued throughout the interior, with the seats, dashboard, tonneau cover and rear seat ‘waterfall’ clad in Navy Blue leathers, highlighted with Bright Yellow seat piping and stitched Double-R headrest logos.

A Bespoke Phantom was delivered in 2018 to a renowned collector, Michael Fux, during Monterey Car Week. The Phantom was his eleventh Bespoke model from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, following the ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ that was handed over during Pebble Beach 2017. As with a number of his other cars, the Phantom is finished in a truly unique paint color, which is his alone to use – ‘Fux Intense Fuxia Pearl’, the ultimate in individualization. Carrying over some of his favorite hues from earlier cars, the interior is trimmed in a combination of vibrant purple ‘Fuxia’ and ‘Arctic White’ leather. This striking Phantom joins Mr. Fux’s collection of more than 140 unique motor cars, which he uses to help raise funds for his charity – the Michael Fux Foundation – providing support to children and their families at the Miami Children’s Hospital.

In 2018 Rolls-Royce paid homage to the original Silver Ghost with the creation of 35 Bespoke examples, the ‘Silver Ghost Collection’. These motor cars boast carefully-considered references to the past: a solid sterling-silver Spirit of Ecstasy, a hammered-copper insert that pays tribute to the material in the original’s engine bay, and the newly created hallmark ‘AX201’, a tribute to the famous registration plate. Further references to the model’s heritage include open-pore Tudor Oak veneer with silver inlays throughout the cabin and a Bespoke coach line that incorporates 100% pure silver particles.

Rolls-Royce unveiled Adamas in 2018, its first-ever Black Badge Collection, comprising 40 Wraiths and 30 Dawns. The character of these motor cars is reflected by the Adamas name, meaning ‘untameable’ or ‘invincible’, with the resilience of a diamond. These Wraiths and Dawns showcase a darker side of contemporary craftsmanship, with unbreakable carbon structures woven into the motor cars to create a beguiling beauty that captures the rebellious spirit of Black Badge. For the first time, the Spirit of Ecstasy is formed from machined aerospace-grade carbon fiber, while the dashboard clock is encrusted with laboratory-grown black diamonds.

Wraith Luminary Collection, a ‘highly charged’ series of just 55 Wraiths presented a world-first for Bespoke craftsmanship. On opening the coach doors, the owner is met by a truly innovative statement of modern luxury, with intricately perforated Tudor Oak wood veneers admitting light from an array of 176 LEDs. The wood is sourced from the forests of the Czech Republic, selected for its depth of color and the density of the grain structure.

Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke engineers developed a unique shooting star headliner, adding a playful aspect to the configuration of the 1,340 fiber optic lights. Further technical mastery is showcased through a unique stainless steel hand-woven fabric used to highlight sections throughout the cabin, including the area on the doors.

In 2018 a special Dawn was built as well. A Bespoke, lightweight ‘Aero Cowling’ tonneau cover is fixed in position over the rear seat area, creating a roadster-style motor car that can still be converted to a full four-seater when desired. Crafted from ultra-lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum, the Aero Cowling is sculpted to funnel airflow for enhanced comfort, less turbulence and noise, and can be matched to your personal specification of a Dawn. This is one bespoke creation that can be ordered by other customers.

The Rolls-Royce Viewing Suite is automatically deployed at the touch of a button. Two rear-facing, beautifully contemporary, fine leather chairs and a cocktail table gracefully emerge from within the rear compartment – creating a luxurious viewing platform from which to take in the surroundings; whether that be a sporting engagement or some of the world’s most breath-taking vistas, an airshow or a polo match. The launch of this feature previewed the near-limitless opportunities for enhancing Cullinan with highly Bespoke modules to suit all manner of lifestyle requirements.

Owners of the Aston Martin Valkyrie already know they’re due to receive a truly exceptional car, but the marque’s personalization service ‘Q by Aston Martin’ is set to realize the unique automotive dreams and desires of this exclusive collection. Borne of the partnership between Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is a real-life expression of the no-compromise pursuit of performance. As such, it is fitting that this 150-unit road-going hypercar can now be further optimized with the AMR Track Performance Pack. The pack’s track-only components – which can be interchanged with the existing road-legal parts – are set to deliver approximately 8% quicker lap times on top of the standard Aston Martin Valkyrie.

The AMR Track Performance Pack features a new aerodynamic front clamshell delivering greater downforce and efficiency, the second set of all other exterior body panels, lightweight titanium brakes, track-focused suspension and a matte black magnesium performance wheel and carbon-fiber aero-disk set. Customers can also include a suite of a personalized pit garage and race suit accessory options to their package, providing owners with the ultimate track day and hypercar ownership experience. Customers choosing the AMR Track Performance Pack are also able to choose between three spectacular AMR livery designs or their own unique finish, which can be tailored using ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’, Aston Martin’s bespoke VIP customization service.

For those choosing to keep their Aston Martin Valkyrie on the road, the options are boundless. Four beautiful Designer Specification themes are available for those who want their Valkyrie to stay close to the designer’s vision, featuring exclusive Valkyrie colors including Slipstream Green, Liquid Petroleum, Ethanol Silver and Maximum Orange. For customers who have something very special in mind, there is the Ultimate Personalisation program, which invites owners to work with the Aston Martin Design team to refine their specification, enhanced even further by ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’. The roof and rear engine cover, in gloss black paint as standard, can be customized to be presented in exposed carbon fiber, which can continue across the contrails with a gloss lacquer and the silver textured tailpipe and muffler can become black by the specification. Owners can also have the first Aston Martins with full titanium wings badges, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship that is synonymous with the brand.

Inside Aston Martin Valkyrie, the minimalist ergonomics of the cockpit are clothed appropriately: a wide choice of Alcantara colors, patterns and finishes are available for the seats, along with six bold choices of color for the seat harness, which complements the external livery and contrasts with the choice of hardware presented in carbon fiber. The intricate craftsmanship of woven leather, first seen on the Aston Martin One-77, can be selected to add an extra element to the door pocket and armrest trim.

All driver-focused switchgear for Aston Martin Valkyrie is positioned on the steering wheel. The switches are made in anodized silver, black or red for a stealthy or track-inspired appearance. Alternatively, customers can again enlist the bespoke ‘Q by Aston Martin’ service. The ultimate choice is switches crafted from titanium, which truly reflects the lightweight DNA of Aston Martin Valkyrie. ‘Q by Aston Martin’ offers many exquisite personalization options, including the indulgent Gold Pack which features a 24-carat gold leaf livery that is meticulously laid under the paint lacquer. The Mokume Carbon Fibre option pack will excite the connoisseur with its ‘Carbon Jewelry’ adorning areas such as the inner scoop of the headlights, sidepod vanes, armrest, central interior vent and the steering wheel faceplate. Created uniquely by Aston Martin’s design studio, the Mokume Carbon Fiber has a beautiful and technical appearance and the obvious weight saving credentials of this material.

With such a generous array of options to choose from, Aston Martin has provided customers with the opportunity to view their final creations using an industry-leading immersive virtual reality experience. Used in real-time during the specification process at Gaydon, this technology has been employed to great effect, ensuring customers leave the company’s headquarters, safe in the knowledge that every selection made to their Aston Martin Valkyrie fits their exact demands.

Aston Martin’s Executive Vice President & Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman said, “This is simply the best car in the world if you want something bespoke and we are really pushing the boundaries to match the dreams of our customers. Every single element of this hypercar, including its performance, can be personalized. The materials are very much about science, the art of creativity and the ability to create a unique solution that doesn’t detract from this exceptional car’s performance capability”.

More: www.astonmartin.com

Bentley recently introduced the all-new Continental GT Convertible. Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Britain. The tailored convertible roof can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, with the car traveling at speeds of up to 50 km/h. This transforms the Continental GT Convertible from a luxurious coupe into an open-top Grand Tourer at the touch of a button. Seven different fabric hood colors are available, including an authentic tweed finish for the first time. A newly designed neckwarmer (which is both warmer and quieter than in the previous generation model), is seamlessly integrated into the heated Comfort Seats, optimizing efficiency and airflow around the electrically adjustable headrests. The styling highlight of the new neckwarmer is a chrome center vane that stretches the full width of the duct, echoing Bentley’s famous ‘bullseye’ vents. Combined with a heated steering wheel, seat heaters and new heated armrests, these sophisticated comfort features create a luxurious driving experience in all environments, especially on sunny spring and winter mornings.

The all-new Continental GT Convertible heightens the sensory experience of open-air motoring with exhilarating performance. A powerful 6.0-liter Bentley W12 engine is mated to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission. The new powertrain uses the latest engine management technology to produce 635 hp and 900 Nm of torque, and accelerate to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, on to a top speed of 333 km/h.

A choice of three audio systems is offered in the new Continental GT Convertible. The standard system features 10 speakers and 650 Watts, while a Bang & Olufsen 1,500 W, 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles is available, benefiting from the first automotive application of the BeoSonic system – a new way for tone setting with a simple, intuitive one-touch user interface. A Naim 2,200 W, 18-speaker system with Active Bass Transducers built into the front seats and eight sound modes is offered for the true audiophile.

Behind the wheel, the technological advancements in the new Continental GT Convertible continue. The driver-orientated instrument panel is fully digital and can be personalized by the driver. The Bentley Rotating Display offers the choice between a digital or analog journey. At first glance, there appears to be no screen in the center of the dashboard. Instead, the veneer flows uninterrupted across the dashboard, while a thin chrome bezel behind the steering wheel surrounds a digital instrument display. When the engine start button is pressed, however, the veneer in the middle of the dashboard glides silently forward and rotates to reveal Bentley’s largest-ever touchscreen, a 12.3” high-definition-quality digital MMI display, elegantly designed by Bentley with a customer-configurable home screen with three windows able to display the driver’s preferred functions, for example, navigation, media and telephone. The user interface is designed to be akin to a modern mobile phone and menus are structured to be instantly intuitive. The third side on the Bentley Rotating Display reveals three elegant analog dials displaying outside temperature, a compass and a chronometer. Such an innovative use of traditional elements underscores Bentley’s unique commitment to the past and the future and offers customers the choice of digital or analog display or clean, calm cabin.

Two technology option packs are offered at launch: City Specification for urban journeys and the Touring Specification for long-distance driving, both curated to optimize the customer experience. City Specification includes hands-free boot opening, pedestrian warning, traffic-sign recognition and city braking systems as well as a top-view camera. The Touring Specification pack, meanwhile, offers adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, active lane assist, a heads-up display, night vision with an infrared camera, and pre-sense braking. The Mulliner Driving Specification adds a more sporting look to the car with 22” lightweight forged alloy wheels, unique ‘diamond in diamond’ quilting, embroidered Bentley emblems, additional veneer options, a jeweled-finish fuel filler, sports pedals, and indented leather headliner. Customers can also choose personalized stitching in the front and rear of the car as well as personalized treadplates. As with all Bentleys, the Continental GT Convertible can also be handed over to the highly skilled and dedicated craftspeople at Mulliner, Bentley’s personal commissioning division, who will respond to bespoke customer requirements.

The third generation of Continental GT Convertible features Bentley Dynamic Ride, an advanced 48-volt roll control system for car control. The system controls and adjusts the electronic actuators on the anti-roll bar of each axle and so improves handling and ride comfort, as well as making the car feel lighter and more precise. This system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tire-to-road contact to deliver class-leading ride comfort and exceptional handling. While conventional anti-roll bars present a compromise between body control and ride comfort, Bentley’s active system provides variable torsional resistance, allowing the Continental GT Convertible to be both dynamically capable and comfortable for all occupants at all times. The use of a 48-volt system results in silent, instantaneous responses and sufficient power on hand to deal with all road surfaces. Through Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Control different modes can be selected: Comfort mode, Bentley mode or Sport mode; the suspension, engine, gearbox and other chassis systems will modify to match the selected drive mode. Alternatively, the driver can personalize his or her own dynamic settings. As a foundation for this impressive handling, the Continental GT Convertible boasts a body-in-white structure that manages to be both stiffer and lighter than its predecessor. This five percent improvement in torsional rigidity and 20 percent reduction in structural weight are achievable thanks to the intelligent utilization of aluminum and high-tensile steel in the platform.

The braking system is the most powerful iron system ever fitted to a Bentley, with a total of 28 pistons. Front brake discs measuring 420 mm are a two-piece construction utilizing a cast-iron friction ring and aluminum mounting bell. Front calipers feature ten pistons each, while rear calipers contain four pistons each that clamp 380 mm single-piece discs. Bentley has worked together with Pirelli to create bespoke tires for the new Continental GT Convertible right from the very beginning of the design phase. The car runs exclusively on Pirelli P Zero tires, using a different tire size between the front and rear axles for the first time, to enhance dynamic ability.