Cars

Permanent smile: Austin-Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite

The first meeting with our Mako Blue Volante confirms little has changed over the last century...

It’s long been an Aston Martin tradition to produce machines which make you ache with desire. The first meeting with our Mako Blue DB9 Volante confirms little has changed over the last century in this respect – it’s utterly gorgeous, and if for some reason you weren’t aware of that fact, you’ll soon be duly notified by onlookers.

Of course, you wouldn’t usually describe a car which towers above most humans as diminutive, but in short-wheelbase ‘90’ form, the Defender does feel like a life-sized boy’s toy. The LXV special edition (of which 65 were built to commemorate the car’s anniversary, now all sold out) injects a little class, with Santorini Black ‘Sawtooth’ alloys, full leather seats and the associated badging.

The first 'legend of Bugatti' to be celebrated will be Jean-Pierre Wimille, the French racing driver who took Bugatti to victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1937 and 1939, driving 57G and 57C 'Tank' models respectively.

The 'Grand Sport Vitesse Legend Jean-Pierre Wimille' edition takes a nod at  the Frenchman’s 1937 Le Mans winning 57G, with its clear-coated blue carbonfibre body highlighted with lighter ‘Wimille Bleu’ accents. Inside, each 'legends' Grand Sport Vitesse will have unique detailing, all with reference to its namesake.

Less than a month ago, British meteorologists were predicting not only a sodden summer, but a full decade of moody weather for the British Isles. A few weeks into a heatwave and Aston enthusiasts couldn’t believe their luck as Sunday’s centenary event was blessed with balminess, all the better to highlight the staggering array of machinery.

Based on modern Astons, the cars represent "an exotic cross of Aston Martin DNA with Italian flair and Milanese inspiration reminiscent of Zagato cars from the 1950s". The coupé - which began life as a DBS - was commissioned by a young Japanese entrepreneur, presented in a colour scheme to reflect his youthful taste. The DB9-based Spyder Centennial has a more understated interior at the request of its new owner, American collector Peter Read.

"The life-sized version seemed like an apt place to start..."

She’s been loved and cared for by the same family for the last 37 years. However, as is so often the case, there always comes a time for youngsters to leave home. At 46, Marsha might have left that decision a little longer than most, but, well, you know… the cost of housing nowadays.