A diagnosis of Parkinson's I find focusses the mind somewhat to prioritise aspirations and experiences with an added urgency.
I was surprised to find that my desire to own an Aston ranked as highly as it did, but there it was; right up there at number two! Ever since I was a kid the brand held an indefinable mystique for me. I say it's indefinable, but if pressed I would suggest that it is in part an understated, quintessentially British sense of style which no other car maker has achieved so consistently. An Aston Martin is a gentleman's sports car: it can hold its own in the classiest environment and at the same time is polite enough not to appear brash or overbearing parked outside the local pub.
I happen to think the DB7 is right up there with the E Type as one of the most beautiful cars ever but I didn't fancy the excruciating fuel bills threatened by the 6 litre Vantage. I also prefer the pre-facelifted styling of the i6 so that made the decision easy. I was very lucky to come across a '98 Volante in knuckle-gnawingly lovely condition with 43k on the clock. Looks more like 14 months than 14 years old.
I've owned it for 5 months now and the excitement hasn't diminished a jot. I love it from the outside and the inside and I'm so glad I bought it.
I thought, incidentally, that I had bought a car finished in Mendip Blue. Indeed, that's what I bought it as. My local AM dealer checked the build file and told me it is actually Rolls Royce Peacock Blue: it was ordered bespoke by the first owner and it is a great colour. One thing that did irritate me was the stainless steel mesh grille. Apart from being a little garish I realised that it was the wrong shape - and they all are! The "signature" AM grill has a slightly reversed curve at the top corners but the mesh grill doesn't do that. I painted it satin black and I think it looks much better.
Anyway, here she is...............
I was surprised to find that my desire to own an Aston ranked as highly as it did, but there it was; right up there at number two! Ever since I was a kid the brand held an indefinable mystique for me. I say it's indefinable, but if pressed I would suggest that it is in part an understated, quintessentially British sense of style which no other car maker has achieved so consistently. An Aston Martin is a gentleman's sports car: it can hold its own in the classiest environment and at the same time is polite enough not to appear brash or overbearing parked outside the local pub.
I happen to think the DB7 is right up there with the E Type as one of the most beautiful cars ever but I didn't fancy the excruciating fuel bills threatened by the 6 litre Vantage. I also prefer the pre-facelifted styling of the i6 so that made the decision easy. I was very lucky to come across a '98 Volante in knuckle-gnawingly lovely condition with 43k on the clock. Looks more like 14 months than 14 years old.
I've owned it for 5 months now and the excitement hasn't diminished a jot. I love it from the outside and the inside and I'm so glad I bought it.
I thought, incidentally, that I had bought a car finished in Mendip Blue. Indeed, that's what I bought it as. My local AM dealer checked the build file and told me it is actually Rolls Royce Peacock Blue: it was ordered bespoke by the first owner and it is a great colour. One thing that did irritate me was the stainless steel mesh grille. Apart from being a little garish I realised that it was the wrong shape - and they all are! The "signature" AM grill has a slightly reversed curve at the top corners but the mesh grill doesn't do that. I painted it satin black and I think it looks much better.
Anyway, here she is...............
