AMOC displays the power, beauty and soul of Aston Martin at the NEC Classic Motor Show
The power, beauty and soul of Aston Martin across the decades was on display on the Aston Martin Owners Club stand in Hall 1 at the NEC Classic Motor Show. This is was a rare opportunity to see such a wonderful collection of Aston Martin cars, which included every model era from pre-war classics through to present production.
The star of the display was ‘LM14’ built in 1935. This Aston Martin Works Ulster was one of the original Le Mans team cars alongside ‘LM11’ and ‘LM12’. Interestingly, ‘LM14’ was actually the thirteenth car to be built. However, Bertelli, owner of Aston Martin at the time, was so superstitious that ‘LM13’ never existed. All three cars were based on the Mark II and had drilled, lightweight chassis. The ‘LM’ team cars were very successful in national and international motor racing including at Le Mans, where they all retired.
Also on display was a beautiful DB2/4 Aston Martin Works car. This model was built in the Coronation year of 1953 and got its name from the addition of two rear seats. Starring alongside the DB2/4 is a wonderful DB4 series 2.
Another highlight was a stunning DB6. The arrival of the Aston Martin DB6 was announced at the London Motor Show in 1965. One of the most famous owners of this particular model is former Beatle, Paul McCartney. It is thought that McCartney recorded the beginnings of the Beatles hit ‘Hey Jude’ into the reel-to-reel tape recorder in the dashboard of his Goodwood Green DB6 featuring black leather upholstery. The DB6 on display was ordered new by the Birmingham based company of Barker & Williams in June 1966. It was ordered with the optional extras of Vantage specification, automatic transmission, limited slip differential, heated rear screen and electric aerial.
The car was later owned by a businessman in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. In around 1978 the car was laid up having failed its MOT, and gradually fell into disrepair. It lay dormant within a Birmingham factory for some eight years. When re-discovered in 1985, the current owner carried out a full restoration over a six year period and the car was put back on the road in 1992. Apart from paintwork and an engine rebuild undertaken by specialists, all of the work was undertaken by the current owner and his late father.
The Aston Martin V8 is from the David Brown era where the straight six was replaced with a V8 engine to deliver more power while retaining the essence of the iconic brand. In October 1994, Classic & Sport Car Magazine wrote: ‘hard punching, hard drinking, old school heavyweights, muscles rippling beneath well-cut Saville Row suits; a breed of distinctly British dinosaur. ’The V8 on display was registered in August 1987 with a list price of £55,000.
It is a fine example of the model, and has competed at several Aston Martin Owners Club Concours d’Etat, notably Rousham House in 2009 and Blenheim Palace in 2010 in the Newport Pagnell 8cyl Class.
It has also displayed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concours of Elegance and Windsor Castle 2012 as well as the Aston Martin Jubilee Timeline in 1986.
Aston Martin Owners Club Members were on-hand to give a warm welcome to visitors to the display, and happily answered questions about the collection and membership of the Club. Membership is open to enthusiasts as well as owners.
The Club would like to thank its Members and Aston Martin Heritage Trust for providing the cars to create this wonderful display.
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Media enquiries: Nikki Wright T: 07738 230223 E: pr@amoc.org