| Our Cars - 2005 Aston Martin Vanquish S Onyx Black Metallic with Obsidian hides |
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| Our Cars - 2005 Aston Martin Vanquish S Onyx Black Metallic with Obsidian hides |
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When I bought the Aston it was missing its lower front splitter, which is one of the few visible distinguishing features between the Vanquish S and the regular Vanquish. I ordered a new 'S' splitter from Aston Martin of Austin and over the last couple of days we have painted and installed it to the car.
Where the old splitter had once been fitted to the underside of the front spoiler, there were quite a lot of scratches, presumably from the first owner's low driveway. We therefore decided to repair and paint the underside of the spoiler at the same time as painting and installing the new splitter.
The old 3M protective film, which was installed when the car was virtually new, was also starting to show its age, so we removed that and buffed the paintwork beneath. Thankfully, the film had done its job and the entire front end of the car is completely free from stone chips or any signs of wear. Having repaired the underside of the front spoiler and painted and installed the new splitter, the front of the car now looks absolutely pristine and as new.
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| Time to install a new factory front splitter |
Splitter supplied primed |
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| Removing old 3M wrap from front end of car |
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| Scratches beneath front spoiler will be repaired |
Scratches repaired, underside of spoiler primed |
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| Splitter and underside of spoiler painted Onyx Black |
Reinstalling front end |
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We used AM rivets and double sided 3M tape |
All the holes in new splitter lined up perfectly |
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| Finished result looks great! |
Sunrise by the 18th fairway of the Hills Country Club. I wish I was a better photographer, because this really was a spectacular scene on my way to work this morning. A line of cool mist was rolling across the lake and the Aston looked absolutely stunning silhouetted against this magnificent backdrop.
This is my version of "stopping and smelling the roses"...
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Today was the first time I ever felt an irresistible urge to pull over and take photos of the car I was driving to work. Difficult to complain about working on a Sunday when this is my morning commute.
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| Vanquish S + deserted morning roads = bliss |
Having some fun with the personalized sill plates...
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| Original owner's name carefully removed |
Not technically correct, but all in good fun |
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| Vanquish S looks stunning from any angle |
August 2014
We are absolutely thrilled to add this one owner, 8,000 mile Vanquish S to the Classic Jaguar fleet. These cars were beasts when new - and still pack a formidable punch today, especially in the mid and upper ranges. Truly one of the world's great super cars.
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| Checking over the new arrival in the CJ workshop |
Interior is in virtually unmarked |
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| Several cows were sacrificed to produce the Vanquish interior - there is leather everywhere |
Although perhaps a little dated, the cabin is beautifully crafted |
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| As good as the car already sounds, I am a fan of Quick Silver exhausts - duly ordered |
With the Vanquish raised on one of the shop lifts, the unique underside is on display |
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| This is what the underside of a 200 + MPH car looks like |
After a thorough detail, the car is almost as clean underneath as it is up top! |
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| Personalized sill plates will be modified to identify yours truly |
Original owner's name carefully removed with 80 grit sand paper and a little elbow grease |
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| Onyx Black metallic paint gleams in the sunlight |
Resting on the driveway at home after a joyous drive through the Texas Hill Country |