As promised, here are some snaps from my recent tour of the Aston Martin Factory.

Enjoy

 

awesome pics, thanks!

overall, how was the tour? was it easy to get to the factory? worth the trip to get there?

 

Great pics! Thanks for sharing.

 

Awesome pics. Thanks for sharing. The One-77 looks amazing, especially from the back.

 

Very cool - thanks for posting!!!

 

Wow, great pics! Damn, the V12V is hot! I love the carbon fiber. Thanks for sharing.

 

Wow....

 

what do you have for a car? Did you buy it in TO or get it from the States? I'm north of TO and have been watching for a vantage for a while but it seems like the
States are where to buy.

 

Thanks guys - glad you liked the snaps.

The 1/77 was earth shattering beautiful!! Sitting in the car, one feels like a pilot about to hit the hyper-warp button with all controls surrounding you. Has a very Pagani Zonda feel with some of the elements inside, Brooks leather (the Bicycle Guys) helped out on some of the interior bits.


A tour is available to any current Aston Martin owner and must be arranged through your local dealer.
I've never done a automotive factory tour, so I personally found it interested to see the stages of manufacturing - - and you get to see right from the bare shell to where they drive the finished car off the line and start taping the sides for the final test drive.

Gaydon is approx 1:30 hour train ride from London and then another 20 minute taxi ride from train station to AM Office.
Tour lasts approx 2 - 2:30 hours.

There are some very nice hotels locally, if you decide to stay or land your helicopter.


Other events nearby:

Heritage Motor Centre
http://www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/

Landrover & Jaguar plants are also nearby

 

It's a V8 Vantage - Bought in Canada because at the time, the dollar was too weak. Different story now . .

 

Kick *** photos, thanks for posting

 

Thanks for sharing .. must have been great!

 

thanks for the info, Gekko

 

Be cautious and do your research before heading to the US. As I understand it, the Can dealers (Grand Touring in TO) are doing what they can to "deter" US shopping, including a $5000 charge for the clearance letter...consider it a "dealer slap". I'll also assume warranty-work on a US car won't receive the same "priority"...just a hunch.

Having said that, they're aware of the alure of the US market and are pricing accordingly...I suspect that 2 equal cars, US vs Can will net out about the same after duty, transport, "clearance fee", and the opportunity cost of the shoppers time/effort. Also factor in the "x" factor of any short term post-delivery issues once you're north of the 49th...

Yes there is now currency parity and inventory is the US is much greater, but after shopping in the US market for my last 4 cars(3 911's and my current 2008 AMV8) and I've always landed a purchase in TO.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Came across these pictures on the web today - Current stable of cars at Gaydon - Thought I would share.

(sorry if they have been posted previously)