Today I have mostly ......

[RichardMoss]

.....playing with this! Aston Martin DB7 Vantage (6.0L V12). Hired as a birthday treat for Mrs M, I have also been having a go and it is quite an interesting experience. The interior is let down by crappy Ford switch gear 9from a Fiesta, i believe) but has beautiful green and cream leather to compensate. It is, however, very small inside and headroom is very much at a premium. The outside just looks every bit as wonderful as expected.

 

The real joy is in the engineering under the skin - the engine sounds wonderful, if a bit too muted for my taste, but the whole driving experience is impressive. What is most remarkable is that it can pootle around at almost zero mph, is fine going to the supermarket, rides well (better than a Vitesse Sport - much better) and feels completely surefooted at all times. Then you put your foot down and are doing silly speeds in no-time-flat.

 

Would I buy one? No. Did I enjoy driving it? Yes!!!

 

 

Also seen whilst out and about - A Karman Ghia, Bedford ice cream van and MGB roadster.

[RichardMoss]

.....playing with this! Aston Martin DB7 Vantage (6.0L V12). Hired as a birthday treat for Mrs M, I have also been having a go and it is quite an interesting experience. The interior is let down by crappy Ford switch gear 9from a Fiesta, i believe) but has beautiful green and cream leather to compensate. It is, however, very small inside and headroom is very much at a premium. The outside just looks every bit as wonderful as expected.

 

The real joy is in the engineering under the skin - the engine sounds wonderful, if a bit too muted for my taste, but the whole driving experience is impressive. What is most remarkable is that it can pootle around at almost zero mph, is fine going to the supermarket, rides well (better than a Vitesse Sport - much better) and feels completely surefooted at all times. Then you put your foot down and are doing silly speeds in no-time-flat.

 

Would I buy one? No. Did I enjoy driving it? Yes!!!

 

 

Also seen whilst out and about - A Karman Ghia, Bedford ice cream van and MGB roadster.

[CreepingJesus]

 

1st thought: Crikey, all 12 cylinders accessible. 2nd thought: Once you take the manifolds off. Bet the points are murder to set...

Very nice tho', as long as someone else pays the bills.

[CreepingJesus]

 

1st thought: Crikey, all 12 cylinders accessible. 2nd thought: Once you take the manifolds off. Bet the points are murder to set...

Very nice tho', as long as someone else pays the bills.

[fiatdaft]

Did you know the engineering underneath is pretty much xjs?

[fiatdaft]

Did you know the engineering underneath is pretty much xjs?

[RichardMoss]

I do - and as a Jaguar fan I think it is all the better for it. It is so docile around town, but steps up when on the open road. Ride and handling are really very impressive.

 

I'd buy an XK8 though - and have been toying with that idea for a while now.

[RichardMoss]

I do - and as a Jaguar fan I think it is all the better for it. It is so docile around town, but steps up when on the open road. Ride and handling are really very impressive.

 

I'd buy an XK8 though - and have been toying with that idea for a while now.

[messerschmitt owner]

As I look at xk8s at the same price as my smart roadster I keep getting tempted too.

[messerschmitt owner]

As I look at xk8s at the same price as my smart roadster I keep getting tempted too.

[garethj]

Did you know the engineering underneath is pretty much xjs?

Not to pick on you, FD, but this is one of those sayings that winds me up.

 

In this instance, the early DB7 used the XJS suspension and modified floorpan, not much else. Having owned an XJS I can say it behaves very well and some tweaks to springs and dampers can make it from soft cruiser to bonkers racer and everything in between.

 

As a more general rant, you only have to look at an Alfa 164 and a Saab 9000 to show how platform sharing makes cars that feel completely different. Even the VW Corrado "is based on a Passat" but I can't think of 2 cars that feel more different.

 

And breathe

[garethj]

Did you know the engineering underneath is pretty much xjs?

Not to pick on you, FD, but this is one of those sayings that winds me up.

 

In this instance, the early DB7 used the XJS suspension and modified floorpan, not much else. Having owned an XJS I can say it behaves very well and some tweaks to springs and dampers can make it from soft cruiser to bonkers racer and everything in between.

 

As a more general rant, you only have to look at an Alfa 164 and a Saab 9000 to show how platform sharing makes cars that feel completely different. Even the VW Corrado "is based on a Passat" but I can't think of 2 cars that feel more different.

 

And breathe

[fiatdaft]

I wasn't saying it was a bad thing!

[fiatdaft]

I wasn't saying it was a bad thing!