FROM THE ARCHIVES

Each issue, we take a look back at some of the fi nest Aston Martin models via an array of period photographs and brochures

WORDS: PAUL GUINNESS PHOTOGRAPHY: KELSEY ARCHIVES

HAND-CRAFTED CREATION

Issued in the late 1970s was this fold-out brochure dedicated to the Aston Martin V8, the classic coupe that was still handcrafted at the company’s Newport Pagnell headquarters. And it was the hand-built nature of the car that the brochure referenced when it stated: ‘Each new Aston Martin has had 175 loving owners’.

The brochure went on to explain that the V8 was built by a ‘handful of skilled craftsmen and craftswomen, who care about their work and who take as much pride in the fi nished motor car as the fortunate owner’.

There was more to the V8 than its hand-built status, however, as this was very much a driver’s car: ‘The Aston Martin V8 is built for the driver who wants his motoring to be exhilarating and enjoyable, and who will give his own best in return’. This was, insisted the company, a ‘grand tourer in the great tradition’.

LATEST VOLANTE

Although the original two-seater Volante version of the Virage made its debut at the 1990 British International Motor Show (two years after the coupe derivative), it wasn’t until ’97 that an extended-wheelbase version was introduced, shown in this original press photograph of the time.

The chassis was lengthened by 200mm compared with the previous model, ensuring the latest V8 Volante off ered extra space for those sat in the rear. Production continued through to 2000, by which time just 63 examples had been built – making this one of the rarest of today’s modern-classic convertibles.

THE SECOND COMING

Published in 1979 was this brochure for the Series 2 Lagonda, which fi nally entered production that year despite making its motor show debut in ’76. There were many updates over the original William Townsdesigned Lagonda of 1974-on, although early examples of the Series 2 still retained the original’s digital dashboard and touch-button controls. Aston Martin made a feature of this, boasting that ‘modern technology has had its say with the instrumentation, for the new Lagonda has no dials or needles’.

The idea behind the Lagonda was simple, as this was a car that combined ‘the inimitable luxury of the spacious fourseater with the handling and performance of a sporting grand tourer’. But what about the Towns-penned styling, famous for its straight lines and wedge profi le? According to Aston Martin, its shape was ‘as functional as it is eye-catching, a pleasing blend of elegance and sportiness’.

RAPIDE PROGRESS

Production of the most recent Aston Martin Rapide began in May 2010, giving the British fi rm a useful rival to the fourdoor Porsche Panamera. Sales of the Rapide failed to live up to expectations, although it went on to enjoy a decadelong career and still has its admirers nowadays.

An even rarer Rapide was launched almost forty years earlier, however, as shown in this brochure from that time – although the Aston Martin name was nowhere to be seen. Just 55 examples of the Lagonda Rapide were built between 1961 and ’64, making it one of the rarest ‘saloons’ of its era. The Lagonda name would reappear on another four-door in the following decade, of course, thanks to the launch of the Aston Martin Lagonda, while the Rapide name would remain dormant until fi nally being resurrected by Aston Martin twelve years ago.

As for the Lagonda Rapide, this was based around the Aston Martin DB4’s platform, albeit powered by the 3995cc version of the company’s straight-six engine. A tubular steel frame formed the main structure, on which sat all-aluminium body panels. The end result was a rather handsome off ering for well-heeled buyers looking for eff ortless cruising and four-door exclusivity.