Look to the Future – Aston Martin Vanquish

With classic-era Aston Martins rapidly appreciating in value beyond the seven-digit mark, it’s nice to examine modern-era cars that might someday follow suit. Of course, top-of-the-range collectibles are always more desirable than their standard-production brethren. Such is the case with the Aston Martin Vanquish V12. In the future, collectors undoubtedly will look back upon the Series One Vanquish and heap praise upon its carbon-fiber/aluminum tub and bulging, hand-formed aluminum body panels. The V12 Vanquish will also go down in history as the last car built at Aston Martin’s legendary Newport Pagnell factory. Even bricks from the dismantled structure were later sold for charity and are now considered sought-after collectibles.

In many ways the V12 Vanquish marks the beginning of Aston Martin’s present technology-driven era. Classic silhouettes and sumptuous cowhides remain, but outmoded equipment and thinking were left in the dust. Of course, Aston Martin’s current era really hit its stride when ownership changed hands in March 2007. Prodrive chairman David Richards led the consortium that purchased Aston Martin for US$848 million. The relatively small sum is a reminder that Aston Martin is indeed a small manufacturer, regardless of its iconic brand.