Aston Martin Zagato AR1

After renewing its relationship with Zagato in 2001, an amazing collaboration that produced some of the most exclusive Aston’s ever, a plan for a roadster was conceived based on the DB7 Vantage Volante. Designed for the American market the AR1 debuted in 2002 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Aston Martin Lagonda Series 2

It was a time of the wedge, the 1970’s lead to some of the most iconic cars such as the Lotus Esprite and the Lamborghini Countach. However the wedge sprawled out to luxury car Aston Martin who decided to stretch it and modernise is fleet of elderly cars. The result was to bring take the existing Aston Martin Lagonda, Series1 which was more of an elongated DB5 with a nose job and radically update it for the Series 2.

Lagonda Virage

In 1994 with Aston Martin releasing its Virage on to the public a more practical/madder option was offered by its “Factory Service Department”. It offered the 3 door GT car as both a 4 door saloon and also a shooting brake estate, but renamed as a Lagonda Virage!!!!!

Aston Martin Bulldog

Even the conservative Aston Martin dabbled in the "wedge" in the 1970's, this though had more to it than most attempts at the future of car design. Its primary use was as a test bed, and not just a styling exercise. Fitted with a mid mounted 5.3ltr turbo V8 with 700bhp, it was officially clocked at a test session in 1979 at 191mph!!!! even now thats pretty quick by supercar standards. But its theoretical top speed due to that slippery shape was estimated at 237mph, thats Mclaren F1 territory some 10+ years earlier!!!!!

Ogle “Sotheby Special” Aston Martin

I’ve looked at Ogle previously, particularly its SX1000 mini based car, this though is a whole different level. The original idea came from Ogle founder David Ogle, who never saw the car become reality, the project was given the go ahead following his death and funding by tobacco company W.O.Willis who wanted a car to promote its new cigarettes. Ogle took an Aston Martin DBS V8 and transformed it in to the futuristic vision. The original car was finished in dark blue with gold pin striping to match the cigarette branding and debuted at the Montreal Motor Show in 1972, however after the brand failed the car was repainted Embassy red. From the pictures below I think you’ll agree the original colour scheme suited it much better.

Aston Martin DBS Lagonda

With the sudden surge of sports car makers now producing modern 4 door versions, its interesting to see that for many this wasn’t the first dabble at it, i’ve already shown the Porsche 989 form back in 1988. Well back in 1974 Lagonda put it name to a car, the first since 1961, it was a elongated DBS (12”s longer) with 2 additional doors added. This was a fully worked up production car, sold between 1974 and 76, based on a concept built in 1969. In all that time however only 7 were ordered and 5 delivered to owners, the main reason for this was probably the MPG barley getting into double figure and the current oil crises affecting the world add to that a 24% premium over the normal 2 door car. As a car however it was very well done, almost looking like Aston Martin its self produced them, with its lines not being spoilt by the 2 additional doors. Unfortunately it also came with the Lagonda grill which detracted from Aston’s good looks.

A fully restored one sold recently for £337.000.

For more information-

http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/carspecs.php/?see=1531

http://www.supercars.net/cars/4923.html