For decades, the Ford Mustang has been a symbol of affordable performance. While the average GT will still run you less than $30,000, for many that is merely the starting point. Next is the booming Ford Mustang aftermarket business, where you can beef up every square inch of your ponycar. One item not commonly found in a Ford Racing catalog is an Aston Martin Vanquish V12 engine, but after hearing one in the engine bay of a beautiful blue stallion, we think that problem should be corrected.
Hit the jump to view video of a very well-modified Mustang that has the face of a GT500, the butt of a Saleen, and the heart of an Aston. If you thought the throaty V8 of a stock GT was music to your ears, the silky smooth symphony coming from the Vanquish V12 is better than Bach. The best part of the video comes about a minute in when the snugly-packed V12 reveals itself for the first time. Is it just us or is a real Mustang with an Aston motor a hundred times better than a 'Stang with a Vanquish body? UPDATE: Video after the jump fixed.
In our day-to-day, we come across a fair number of replicars. Some are especially convincing, while others are just plain bonkers. Far more so than the Miata-based AMX07 we brought you back in 2006, this Aston Martin V12 Vanquish replica could have had us fooled.
Made by Ontario, Canada-based Exclusive Motor Cars, this Aston replica is based on a previous-gen Ford Mustang. Ten companies are then involved in the transformation -- stretching the wheelbase, widening the track and lowering the ride height with suspension mods; crafting, painting and fitting the 34 composite body panels; custom upholstering the interior and fitting interior trim pieces; and mounting all the extra details from the headlights to the badges.
The end result, at least as far as we can tell from the pictures (you can judge for yourself in the gallery below), would appear to fool anyone but the most trained eye. Exclusive even plans to offer a "spy package" complete with (what we'd hope are fake) grille-mounted rocket launchers and hood-mounted machine guns in an effort to complete the "Die Another Day" 007 package. Although the company's pricing page is currently blank, you can bet it costs a heck of a lot less than the authentic, now-discontinued V12 Vantage itself. You very well might be the only one who would know the difference.
Later today, Aston Martin will be closing its historic Newport Pagnell factory, and CAR magazine will be on hand to cover the story live from the facility. The plant produces the V12 Vanquish, and after its shuttering, the center will be leveled in order to erect a series of office parks and residential housing.
Although the plant has been in operation for close to 50 years and Prodrive had originally said that it was safe, skepticism seems to have surrounded the future of the facility. The town itself has undergone a mass exodus of manufacturing jobs over the years, essentially turning the hamlet into a bedroom community.
We'll be following CAR's coverage throughout the day, so watch this space.
Aston Martin's range-topping GT, the Vanquish S, is nearing the end of its run as the British marque's top dog, and to give it a proper sendoff, a special edition will be built. The Vanquish S Ultimate Edition, limited to just 40 cars, will be finished in a model-specific Ultimate Black paint. Inside, the all-black cabin will feature dark chrome accents, exclusive leather and stitching treatments, and of course, the requisite special-model plaques informing the occupants which number of the forty cars they're riding in. The Vanquish S powertrain is unchanged, and given that it's good for 200 mph, it's not as if it needed anything. Pricing will also be in line with the standard Vanquish S.
In other news relating to the Vanquish, Aston Martin's Works Service division has announced the availability of a kit that will allow existing customers to have their cars converted from the standard paddle-shifter setup to a true stick-shift manual gearbox. Pricing for that bit of surgery starts at £13,250 + VAT.
When the The Zurich Iconic Car Index sought out to find the best of the best in the Super Car market, there were a lot of really tough choices. High-dollar items like the Bugatti Veyron, Carerra GT, and the Vanquish cost a ton and have cache coming out their tail pipes. The competition was based off of a "complicated" formula of price, power, performance, and marquee.
Of course there can only be one winner, and the one vehicle that has probably received the most attention over the past couple years is the Ferarri Enzo. Whether they're turning heads on Miami Beach or bending telephone poles on the PCH, the Enzo is at the top of its game. Microsoft founder Paul Allen and the Pope have been owners of this posh speed demon. Ferrari actually dominated the entire top ten with three vehicles making the list. No other automaker had more than one entry.
If you are lucky enough to own one of the few hundred Enzos (left) in existence, take some time to celebrate. You officially own the best of the best. If you want to celebrate your victory on the road, however, wear your seat belt and a helmet. The Enzo can prove to be, well, crash-prone.
The idea of Ford selling off Aston Martin still strikes some as odd. The luxury marque has turned a corner over the past few years and has now become a successful jewel in the crown of FoMoCo. Regardless, the Blue Oval has made overtures that Aston may be up for sale, but as is the case with both Jaguar and Land Rover, one minute they're open to offers and the next they're not.
If the storied British automaker does find its way into the open market, a pair of Europe's most wealthy investors is gearing up to make a bid. Bernard Arnault, the French equivalent of Bill Gates, who made his money in luxury goods, is teaming up with Belgian investor Albert Frère, to form an investment group that could make a move to purchase Aston Martin. They have their eyes on several different ventures, but A.M. is on the top of their list.
With vehicles on the way, including the drop-top Vantage and four-door Rapide, sales at their highest level and a steady upward trajectory, it seems a shame for Ford to even consider such a sale. However, Ford's goal of becoming a svelte, adaptable automaker will be a great deal easier without excess brands hanging around their neck. Either way, it's safe to assume that Aston is poised to have an even brighter future in the years ahead.
According to AutoExpress' sources, Aston Martin will be debuting a six-speed, automated, manual gearbox for its V8 Vantage at the Paris Motor Show. The clutchless setup allows for quick up/down shifts, via steering wheel-mounted paddles, and also a fully automatic mode for sedate cruising.
The new transmission will be similar to the one offered in the baby Aston's elder, the Vanquish, which may be a blessing/curse. Early on, most reported that the big-V's manu-matic was lurchy and difficult to drive with any measure of smoothness. According to Aston, a software update was released to cure those ills.
Aston Martin also plans on releasing details about a partnership with the world-renowned seat maker, Recaro, which will furnish both the DB9 and Vantage with new, more bolstered and adjustable thrones. 'Cause when you drop that kind of coin on a GT, you gotta be comfy, right?
You can find a pic of the Vantage's interior after the jump, with a large (read: awkward) mobile phone/sunglass/trinket holder where the shifter used to reside.
James Bond's Aston Martin Vanquish from the 2002 film Die Another Day was auctioned away at Bonham's over the weekend. The winning bid was £144,500 (that's $275,648 to us Yanks). Some might say that the money would be better spent on a brand spanky new Vanquish, which "only" sets you back $255,000 by comparison.
It's a compelling argument on the surface, but really, the Bond car's machine guns, grille-mounted heat-seeking missiles, dual shotguns, ejector seat, and handy cloaking/invisibility mode are easily worth the extra 20 grand. Road ragers who direct their animosity toward this car's new owner do so at their peril.
Who can afford the actual price of an Aston Martin Vanquish S? Not us, and apparently not Australian fitness instructor Michael Lebedev, who has produced a kit that transforms a garden variety Mazda Miata MX-5 into something resembling a Vanquish left in the dryer too long. Inspired by the Vanquish driven by secret agent James Bond in the film Die Another Day, Lebedev produced what appears to be a front end kit out of fiberglass using headlamps from a SMART car. He has started a company called Custom Automotive Restyling to sell his kit, which retails for AUS $7,500, or about USD $5,650.
We wonder what other cars you could make out of the Miata... a 427 Cobra? Lego mania? Use your imagination (and a little Photoshop)...
BREAKING: GM and Chrysler talking about merger
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z again, with interior shots
2010 Mazda3 unveiled ahead of LA Auto Show
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z caught undisguised
GM on Corvette ZR1 cancellation rumor: "Not true."
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 3
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3, return of the "hummer"
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Chevy Corvette Z06
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
Paris 2008: Le Day 1 Wrapup
