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Aston Martin DB9 Sportmodificato

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Aston's 'Works Service' department creates unique DB9

By Richard Meaden/Kenny P
January 2006
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It is easy, given Aston Martin's recent and rapid transformation from endearing anachronism to cutting-edge, premium-grade manufacturer, to forget that the company once built cars almost entirely by hand and in tiny numbers, in a collection of low-rise sheds in Newport Pagnell.
Time moves on, of course, and so, out of simple need for survival, has Aston Martin. The cars are still special, there remains a significant human element to the assembly process, but anyone who fondly remembers the Aston of old doubtless mourns the lost magic of cars fashioned by craftsmen with genius in their fingertips, able to beat fluid, curvaceous beauty into flat sheets of aluminium and breathe pounding, potent life into a crate-full of meticulously machined engine parts.
Well, it's reassuring to discover that while New Aston forges ahead with advanced manufacturing processes, a little bit of Old Aston survives in the form of the Works Service department. Still based at Newport Pagnell, Works Service has a great reputation for maintaining, repairing and even restoring classic Astons, but it's a lesser known fact that those same panel beaters, trimmers, sprayers and technicians will also turn their hands to personalising the very latest Aston Martin models.
Take this DB9. Bought by a first-time Aston customer, it has been subjected to an extensive and painstaking programme of personalisation that has resulted in almost every aspect of the interior and exterior being altered in some way. Works Service thrives on such commissions and was quick to involve Aston's specialist suppliers in the quest for this customer's 'perfect' specification.
To this end the interior was completely re-trimmed with quilted 'Jet' leather, a colour and finish of hide specially made by Bridge of Weir for this project. The centre console is gloss black to match the dash panel, while alloy switches have been fitted to the ventilation controls. A set of contrasting crimson seatbelts complete the interior makeover to startling effect.
On the outside the alloys have been diamond-cut and painted to create a shimmering effect on the move, while the brake callipers have been painted a special light gold, with 'Aston Martin' inscribed in red. The mirrors are finished in satin black, as are all the grilles and intakes, and the rear valance has been completely restyled to accommodate an exuberantly vocal exhaust system from the Vanquish, along with a race-inspired rear diffuser, hand-fashioned from aluminium. The paint is a one-off colour, named Aston Trophy Metallic by the car's owner and mixed by PPG rather than Aston's normal supplier DuPont.
Driving it, surrounded by all that quilted leather and hearing the exhaust's bellow, it's a very special place to be. But you can't help sharing the owner's frustration at not being able to get Aston Martin Racing involved, especially as the standard DB9 chassis would undoubtedly respond well to some Prodrive-led enhancements. One day, perhaps.
For its owner, this DB9 goes some way to injecting the new breed of Aston with some old-school character, as he explains: 'The standard DB9 was a bit too polite for my liking. I wanted to recreate a little of the spirit of what Aston did in the '60s. A proper GT if you like. I did enquire about Aston Martin Racing doing some engine work, but apparently they aren't allowed to touch the road cars. I'd still like to get something done at some stage, so watch this space. Above all I think it's important that Aston reminds people of what it can still do. The level of skill and craftsmanship that has gone into this car is exceptional.'
This is a car defined by details, but one stands out more proudly than the rest: the small but perfectly formed bonnet badge. Christened 'Sportmodificato' by the owner and the Works Service team, the car needed a fittingly bespoke badge, so they looked to Aston's past and settled on an adaptation of the classic Superleggera logo that adorned the bonnets of the great DB4, 5 and 6 models. It's a beautiful and utterly appropriate finishing touch to a completely personal, fastidiously crafted and immensely desirable car.