Aston Martin Reviews

Michael Bowler worked for Aston in the '70s, so his knowledge of the V8's development is comprehensive. Good detail on the Vantage and Volante, the ownership struggles, the acquisition by Victor Gauntlett, etc... if you collect Aston books, and care at all about the V8s, you need this one.

For this particular model of the Aston Martin Martin marque this book is quite informative. Additionally, it provides photos serving as examples of this model. It's quite essential to the library of any AM enthusiast.

This book is essential for anyone performing a restoration on or buying a DB4-6. The author is extremely knowledgable, having owned a number of Astons including some real clunkers. Not only does he know what to look for in terms of originality but his knowledge of what can go wrong makes this book a buyers guide in addition to an aid to restoration.

As usual in the "Original" serie, the author goes through every possible detail of the various cars, covering the models: DB4, GT, Zagato (including the Sanction II re-edition), DB5 and DB6, with the Convertible, Volante and Vantage variations, plus the Estate conversions and the Lagonda Rapide (? not sure about the name) which shared the same chassis with the DB serie.

The only proper definition for the book is ANAL... it is! every little aspect, down to the correct colors for the distribution wires, is covered. That's why is the DEFINITIVE guide if you intend to buy a DB and have it restored to the showroom conditions, or check if what you're about to buy is what's claimed to be.

now, if the author would kindly give me a DB4 Series I as a present for this excellent review, I'd be extremely grateful! :-)

This is an utterly elegant book, describing a special company during a special era.

Even if you are not into Astons, the photography is scintillating.

And if you are into Astons, those marvelous characters such as Wyer, Collins, Brown, Moss and many others really come alive.

This is the third book I have by the same authors. As with the previous 2 it follows the same formulae. A brief introduction of the marque, and then a model by model discription. If it's not in this book, then it's probable that Aston Martin never made it. The color pictures are superb and show off the cars perfectly. The photos of the DB4 Zagato are amazing and really show this car in all it's glory. Every car maker has one model that best exemplifies the marque, and the Zagato is it.
The background on the cars is printed in 3 languages, so it's not as detailed as you might think.
Overall, this is a great reference book and a must for any car lover.
Look out for the technical specs of each model at the back of the book.

The Aston Martin name became a legend due to the fact that the DB 5 was used in the James Bond movies Goldfinger, Thunderball and, later, Goldeneye. However, not many people outside the UK and the USA know much about the models covered in this book. These include the DBS V8, the V8, the Volante, the Vantage and the Virage. Also covered are the two V8-engined Lagondas. The later model, designed by William Towns was so idiosyncratic that one either loved or hated it, and its history makes for fascinating reading.

The book starts with a history of the company, featuring a short biography of the late Sir David Brown, who later became life president of Aston Martin. The origin of the V8 engine is also given in detail. A complete account of all the V8 models to date is also given, and one wonders how many people know that a Lagonda based on the V8 models, preceded the later William Towns-designed Lagonda by about three years. A fascinating chapter is the one about the Virage-based Zagato, which, unfortunately, was only built in small numbers.

If one can level criticism at this book, the first thing is that not even a photo is published of the Bulldog, which, admittedly, was only a concept model. However, the history of these cars is incomplete without information on this model. Secondly, there are not enough colour photographs, and those that are there, are only of the DBS V8, the Volante, the Lagonda and the Nimrod racing models. One only wonders why the other models, especially the V8 and the Vantage, which were proboably the best-known, are not featured.

In the final analysis, this is a good account of the history of the V8 Aston Martins, but it would probably have been better to concentrate on the V8, Volante and Vantage models. Having said that, this is a good buy for those who are not very familiar with these cars.

Paul Chudecki has filled this small book with just about everything anyone that is either an owner of , or just interested in , the V8 engined range of Aston Martin Lagondas. He covers the development and racing heritage with a wealth of illustrations and pictures of many wonderful examples of the marques , many of them quite unique . The thirteen chapters and six appendices cover every aspect of the various marques that the V8 engine was fitted to including the DBS & Vantages , Lagondas and even the Zagato & Bulldog specials and prototypes. He has a vast repository of information to pass on and manages it superbly in this concise and well laid out book , even managing a chapter advising on the points to look for when buying and a complete reference on chassis and engine numbers for easy identification of any model found ! I found this book to be both informative as well as very absorbing as the information is given in a very easy flowing style with no lapses into geek speak.

Well worth the money either as a definative reference book or a fascinating coffee table quick read .

This is a British engineer's experience of building and developing these performance cars.The reader will get a feel for the factory environment and various problems that had to be overcome. The book has delightful anecdotes and ramblings that help to keep it light while still being informative. A must read for owners of these cars and a good read for car lovers who should get an appreciation for the tradition and philosophy of Aston Martin.

Great book, mostly... good pictures, accurate reporting, excellent layout, fun writing. My only criticism is that he *really* skimped on details on the V8 models, particularly the original V8 Vantage -- one of Aston's most important cars ever. Still, definitely worth buying.