For 1978, RHAM/1 was even more modified with and output of 800bhp assisted by twin Garret AiResearch turbos. Unfortunately, fuel consumption dropped to as little as 2.5mpg (for the 1977 race, the average speed was 5.75 mpg) so the entry to Le Mans was withdrawn with only two weeks before the race.

By 1979, the shape of RHAM/1 was dramatically altered with a lowered roof, steeply raked windscreen, huge front airdam and lowered bonnet line. Both the fitting of fuel injection in place of the Weber carbs and reducing boost pressure to give maximum power of 650 bhp helped to reduce fuel consumption to around 4 mpg. During the 1979 Le Mans 24 hour race (with the same set of drivers as 1977), the car unfortunately had only competed for 2 hours 45 minutes when a connecting rod broke due to a melted and holed piston.

In 1980, the car competed in the Silverstone 6 hours race, RHAM/1 now sporting a huge rear wing – still fitted to this day. After just 61.5 miles, the rear hub failed. Just for something a little different, in October 1980, RHAM/1 broke the world caravan towing record at almost 125mph, on the runway at Elvington Airfield, Yorkshire. With his first hand experience at Le Mans, Robin Hamilton went on to develop the Aston Martin Nimrod Group C racing car in the early 1980’s.

Whilst this could never be seen as a works car, support was provided by the factory, and indeed lessons learned from the wind tunnel were applied to the V8 Vantage in the form of front air dam and rear spoiler. But not quite on the same extreme scale as this car though.

Despite this inauspicious start, lessons were indeed learned and the breed was consistently improved. Indeed the Aston Martin V8 engine made plenty more visits to the La Sathe circuit powering RHAM/1, Nimrod, EMKA and finally 22 years later, in AMR1. Production of the V8 engine finally ended in 2000 with a fraction over 5000 units built.

This car, chassis number SL73/101, was photographed at the 1996 Coys Festival, Silverstone and the Aston Martin Centenary Celebrations at Kensington Palace in July 2013.

The specs for the V8 Vantage S Dragon 88 were as follows

•2012MY V8 Vantage S, LHD, Sportshift 2 transmission
•Amethyst Red, Volcano Red or Champagne Gold coachwork
•Bright grille with Magnum Silver bonnet mesh
•24-Carat Gold Plated Aston Martin Wings Badges
•10 spoke Silver painted Diamond Turned alloy wheels
•Black Brake Callipers
•Spicy Red, Deep Purple or Chancellor Red leather all with Sahara Tan stitching
•Piano Black facia with intricate gold Inlay
•Obsidian Black carpets edged in Spicy Red, Deep Purple or Chancellor Red leather
•Dragon seat embroidery, inspired by one on the “Nine-Dragon Wall” in Behai Park, Beijing
•Limited edition laser-etched sill plaque
•Optional cost equipment fitted as standard: Auto-dimming rear view mirror, alarm upgrade, second glass ECU, two leather pouches
•Leather wrapped presentation box containing the owners guide, 2 glass ECUs and a customised pair of Bang & Olufsen Earphones

The SP10 was considered rather special as it the first time that the V8 Vantage S has been made available with a conventional stick shift six speed manual gearbox. You will no doubt remember that when introduced, the ‘S’ was only ever intended to receive the Sportshift II gearbox. It has to be noted that it was also possible to specify as an option, the Sportshift II gearbox on this model.

The cosmetic specification of the SP10 is as follows.

• Ceramic Grey metallic coachwork
• Optional Onyx Black (from 2014MY) and optional Lightning Silver (2014MY, Australia & New Zealand only)
• Comfort suspension, optional Sports Suspension
• Six-speed manual transmission as standard
• Optional Sportshift™ II automated manual seven-speed transmission
• Obsidian Black leather with Black Alcantara seat inserts and Silver stitching
• Sports seats, optional memory seats, optional lightweight carbon fibre seats.
• Alcantara trimmed steering wheel
• Piano Black centre console
• Headlining in Black or Taylors Grey Alcantara
• Gloss black painted 19 inch V spoke wheels, diamond turned
• Black painted brake calipers
• Clear rear lamp clusters
• “Aston Martin Vantage SP10” badge on the engine block
• 750W Premium Audio System, 1000W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Audio System as an optional extra
• Optional Reversing Camera

The base price for the Aston Martin Vantage SP10 was €96,635 (plus VAT and local charges).

Although the SP10 was initially an unlimited special edition, production of the car continued for two years, such was it’s popularity. Effectively replaced by the N430, total production of the SP10 coupe reached 384 examples

Photographs with the kind permission of Aston Martin Lagonda

Specification for the DB9 Carbon Coupe is as follows

• Two-door coupe with 2+2 seating
• AML Carbon Black or Stratus White coachwork (some other colours were also produced in limited numbers for North America)
• Black window surrounds (known as DLO for ‘Daylight openings)
• Carbon fibre side strakes, front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror cars and rear lamp infills
• Graphitic finish on the tail pipes
• Standard or sports exhaust
• Black meshes
• Painted or optional carbon door handles
• Gloss black diamond turned wheels
• Brake callipers in a choice of black, grey, red or yellow
• Obsidian Black hide
• Welt in a choice of black, silver, red or yellow with same or black stitching
• Carbon Fibre facia and door pulls
• Paddle tips in carbon fibre or optional red, yellow or silver leather
• Steering wheel in black leather or Alcantara
• Piano Black air vents
• Black anodised rotary switches
• Black tread plate and pedals
• Special Carbon sill plaques

Although most DB9 Carbon Coupes were either Carbon Black or Stratus White, a very few other cars were delivered in the North American market finished in China Grey, Cobalt Blue, Jet Black, Lightning Silver, Morning Frost White, Onyx Black, Silver Fox, Silver Jubilee, Skyfall Silver and Storm Black 2.

Below are photographs of an example of the DB9 Carbon Edition in Stratus White, seen in the Stratstone Aston Martin showroom in Park Lane, London during 2015.

The sales brochure for the car shows it to be a V8 Vantage S although AML records show the car as a N430. To be honest, the difference is very minor but I thought that I should mention it.

• Storm Black 2 coachwork
• Carbon Fibre Mirror Caps, Carbon Fibre Side Strakes
• Machined Carbon Fibre Wings Badge
• Quarter sized diamond quilting on the seat and door inner, contrast Stitching in red
• 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio with Dolby Prologic
• Full Length Twill Carbon Facia Trim, 
• Bluetooth Telephone Connectivity
• Brake Calipers in Red, Electric Seats with Memory
• 19″ Alloy Wheels satin black finish, 
• Parking Distance Control – Front and Rear, 
• Rear Parking Camera
• Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror
• Special Q badges in red and silver on the wings, numbered sill plaque

Planned production was for 10 Sportshift 2 cars and 6 conventional manuals.

A similar V8 Vantage S dealer inspired special edition was created for the Swiss Aston Martin dealer, Emil Frey. As yet AMHT doesn’t know how many were made but it is known that they had Onyx Black coachwork.

The AMR sub-brand was introduced with two distinct tiers. Series production limited edition models such as the V8 & V12 Vantage AMR Roadster sit at its entry point, while extreme and extensively modified AMR Pro models created by Q by Aston Martin Advanced Operations sit at the pinnacle of the range, including the exclusive Vantage AMR Pro announced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

The V8 engined AMR was fitted as standard with the Prodrive designed Sportshift II automated sequential manual paddle-shift transmissions but the six-speed manual gearbox was also available as an option.

The V8 Vantage AMR was available in five distinctive AMR exterior schemes:

• AMR ‘Halo Pack’ was taken from the Aston Martin Racing’s 2016 World Endurance Championship-winning #95 Vantage GTE; a combination of Stirling Green paint with Lime Green front to back stripe.
• Stratos White with an Orange stripe
• Ultramarine Black with Blue stripe
• Zaffre Blue with Red stripe
• Scintilla Silver with Grey stripe

As a finishing touch, a special Union Jack-enamelled AML wings badge, made by Vaughtons and previously featured on last year’s GTE racer, was available as a no-cost option.

Each of the exterior schemes was matched to a different interior scheme to compliment the exterior colours. In keeping with its exterior the Halo Pack interior features boldly contrasting colours, including Lime Green welts and accents.

Lightweight carbon fibre seats were standard fit on the AMR and the car had many other carbon fibre features, including a lightweight front grille, side strakes, lamp infills and mirror caps on the outside, instrument surround, door tops and door grabs on the inside. The V8 Vantage AMR came with 5-spoke alloy wheels with a choice of three different finishes. 

Alongside the introduction of the AMR cars, AML also introduced a range of AMR accessories, many of which can be also fitted to earlier cars. Suitable for the whole V8 Vantage range was the Aero-kit, lightweight mesh grille, performance clutch for the manual box, titanium exhaust, and a multispoke AMR wheel.

Mechanically, the V8 Vantage AMR Roadster bwas identical to the previous year V8 Vantage S Roadster with the same 430 bhp 4.7 litre engine. 

Total production of the V8 Vantage AMR Coupe and Roadster began in the final quarter of 2017 and was limited to just 200 examples. According to records held by the Aston Martin Heritage Trust, the Roadster version only accounded for 63 of the 200 AMR cars. The AMR was only available in the UK, Europe, Asia Pacific and China but not North America. The 2018MY V8 Vantage was not homologated for sale in the US market, so the last V8 Vantage cars sold there were the 2017MY V8 Vantage GTS.  

In the UK, the V8 AMR coupe was priced from £97,995 (about £3,000 more than the outgoing V8 Vantage S) which represented excellent value due to the previously optional features fitted as standard.

The all-alloy, quad overhead cam, 48-valve 5,935 cc front mid-mounted V12 is mated to the proven rear mid-mounted Touchtronic II paddle shift six-speed transmission with electronic shift-by-wire control system. It carries the GT  from rest to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 183 mph. As with other lesser DB9’s the GT will not available with conventional manual transmission.

The independent double wishbone suspension all round continues to deliver secure handling while the three-stage Adaptive Damping System (ADS) offers distinct  Normal, Sport and Track modes for the broadest possible breadth of dynamic characteristics.

However power is only part of the story, as the new Aston Martin also includes important and far-reaching equipment changes which underline its position as the most desirable DB9 ever.

Most notable among the interior equipment updates is the arrival of the AMi II touch-sensitive Aston Martin infotainment system. While AMi debuted on the range-topping Vanquish at its launch, AMi II offers a revised menu structure which makes using the system even more user-friendly.

Building on the system launched in the Vanquish, the DB9 GT’s AMi II infotainment system  sees key improvements made in a number of areas including a text message readout function, real-time power and torque readings and extended background themes for greater personalisation. Offering AM, FM, DAB and SDAR reception (US only), USB ports, Bluetooth audio streaming the system delivers superb connectivity and entertainment simply and easily.

Aside from the subtle GT badges, this new DB9 is identified by black painted splitter and diffuser, revised headlight and tail light treatments and new ten-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels. Black anodised brake calipers and a GT engraving on the aluminium fuel filler cap further distinguish the new model.

Options, for those who wish to further personalise their car, include carbon fibre tail lamp inserts, side strakes, front splitter and rear diffuser; graphite, diamond-turned ten-spoke alloy wheels and alternative brake caliper colours.

Inside, the 2+2 seating configuration remains as standard, however the seats now boast ‘GT’ embroidery on the unique fluted leather. An iridium trim pack and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel (Coupe only) further distinguish the new car.

A broad array of options inside the DB9 GT include various centre console finishes such as Ice Mocha and Copper Cuprum, while other interior options include Duotone leather seats, door inserts and head linings; and a One-77-inspired steering wheel design.

Whilst the DB7 GT was launched back in 2002 but only with coupe coachwork, the new DB9 GT was also available with Volante coachwork too. Almost all of the original batch of GT’s were built as the special edition Bond Edition.

The DB9 GT was available to order for all markets, priced in the UK from £140,000 from the autumn of 2015, but the Summer of 2016, the final DB9’s were built and the model was discontinued and replaced by the DB11.

Based on the 2016.5MY Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Coupe, each car features Lightning Silver coachwork with Gulf Orange highlights. On the exterior, the car features Jet Black painted rear lamp infills, roof panel and rear decklid dropdown contrasted with Gulf Orange brake calipers and a carbon fibre front grille from the V12 Vantage S. Satin Black painted forged 10 spoke lightweight wheels with satin carbon fibre wheel centre caps complete the look.

Internally, The Blades styling is reflected with Jaffa Orange leather detailing in the carpet, shift paddles and seats.

Acknowledging the link between Aston Martin Cambridge and The Blades, the car features propeller detail etching in the centre AMi Toggle; ‘The Blades’ logo embroidered on the front seat headrests; the passenger airbag embroidered with its unique aircraft identification code; a matching car cover made from parachute silk; and a leather photo album documenting the car from concept through to creation. 

On the day of collection during April 2016, the new owners received VIP treatment by Aston Martin Cambridge and The Blades at Sywell Aerodrome. This included a driving experience in their new car with an Aston Martin professional driver, an aerobatic flight experience with The Blades, and a helicopter hovering lesson, before finishing the day with a world-class performance from the world’s only aerobatic airline.

Each of the five limited edition models were priced at £119,950 on the road with each owner also specifying the optional seven-speed Sportshift II paddle shift transmission for an additional £5,000.

All photographs are copyright Aston Martin Cambridge 

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Blades Edition, copyright Aston Martin Cambridge

Detailed Specification of the V8 Vantage Blades Edition

• 2016MY V8 Vantage S coupe with Sportshift II gearbox
• Lightning Silver Exterior
• Obsidian Black Leather Interior
• Carbon Fibre Side Strakes
• Black meshes, headlamp bezels and tailpipe finisher
• Front Parking Sensors
• Glass Switches
• Reversing Camera
• 600W Premium Audio System
• Cruise Control
• Auto Dipping Interior Rear View Mirror
• Second Glass Key
• Heated Front Seats
• Memory Seats
• Umbrella

Special Q by Aston Martin features

• Jet Black painted rear decklid dropdown with graphic pinstripe in Gulf Orange
• Jet Black painted rear lamp infills, lipstick and roof panel
• V12 Vantage S Carbon Fibre front grille painted in Gulf Orange
• All Satin Black painted forged 10 spoke lightweight wheels with Satin carbon fibre wheel centre caps
• Brake calipers painted in Gulf Orange
• Monochrome Union Jack wing badge
• Body colour painted wing mirror caps with Gulf Orange pinstripe
• California Poppy stitching with Jaffa Orange welts inside the car to match Gulf Orange exterior detailing
• Jaffa Orange leather shift paddles
• Jaffa Orange leather carpet binding
• N430 DIM and N430 Instrument Binnacle Hood & Steering Column Cowl upper/lower in Pure Black Alcantara
• Jaffa Orange leather centre stripe in seats
• Centre AMi toggle laser etched with propeller detail
• ‘The Blades’ logo embroidered on front seat headrests in California Poppy thread
• Union Jack embossed onto centre armrest
• Passenger airbag embroidered with unique aircraft identifier i.e. G-ZXEL etc
• Etching on near side top of both Carbon Fibre Front Splitter and Carbon Fibre Side Strake with relevant aircraft identifier
• ‘Q by Aston Martin’ Enamel infill badges
• Matching car cover with monochrome Union Jack on roof and The Blades logo on side to be made from parachute silk
• Jaffa Orange/Obsidian Black Leather ECU Pouch, Handbook and Photo Album

Following on from the success of the Blades Edition, Aston Martin Cambridge commissioned another 8 cars from ‘Q by Aston Martin’ to create the V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80 Edition, especially to commemorate the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire.

For more information, please goto Aston Martin Cambridge, the only supplier of the Blades Edition V8 Vantage.