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Welcome to the Aston Workshop news section. This section will update regularly, enabling you to keep up to date of changes and new information relating to the Aston Workshop and the Aston Martin Marque.
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This month we feature Rupert Shaw, a Major in the army.
“In 2000 I was serving abroad and had some money saved so I decided to treat myself to a Big British GT on the provision that it had four proper seats. So I researched TVRs , Bristols and Astons.
“Being a child of the 70s the Aston needed to be of the Persuaders type - a big fastback with no skirts so I started the hunt for a DBS or early V8 - I couldn’t face a car with skirts - I knew I didn’t want a project - I wanted a car that mechanically was up to me getting in and thrashing it!
“I was after a privately advertised car and contacted Aston Workshop to see if they could inspect it for me explaining my circumstances - to save me an unnecessary journey. It was the wrong car and after a summer of fruitless searching I was just about to change marque when Aston Workshop phoned to say they had a car I might be interested in. I flew over, they collected me gave me a great day - they let me climb in and drive the car over the roads that would answer my questions, so in November 2000 I became the owner of my 1970 DBS Vantage.
“I have to be honest, I was expecting it to be a phase - research had persuaded me that frustration and let down would be the norm - I climbed in and flogged my new purchase down the winter motorways to Hampshire probably its first Motorway run in ten years - I remember the look on Paul, the sales administrator’s face as I pulled away. I think he thought that’s not a good idea! Even Bob Fountain (the owner) came to see me off - so that was the start.
“A relationship blossomed with the car and Aston Workshop in tandem. The testament to early workshop servicing was that it saw me through my sceptical period and suddenly for the first time ever a car was under my skin.
“There have been niggles and I’ve upgraded the car along the way with a high spec alternator, negative earth, monte carlo handling set, converting to unleaded nothing crazy but I have had periods when the car has been my only transport and had by September 2006 completed over 50000 miles since purchase. All of the major work completed by the Aston Workshop and I’ve been really impressed by their quality of advice and service. The have even advised me not to carry out some work if they think it unnecessary (whoever heard of a garage that does that?)
“The car has been fun - it’s also given me some opportunities I’ve enjoyed flogging down to Le Mans around the circuit and taking part in the Parade Des Pilotes being one. The girlfriend loves it as well; it’s shared many a happy holiday break.
“The car was featured in May 2005 in OCTANE magazine and I'm beginning to realise it’s probably a car for the long term.
“Having never done anything cosmetic to the car I thought at 37 (the car) the heavily stone chipped look I have largely been responsible for deserved a makeover. So knowing I would be abroad for seven months I inevitably chose the AM Workshop for the open panel surgery and respray - knowing they would do what I wanted.”
I have got my own hair and teeth and have still not married so unlike Kevin Spacey in American Beauty I’m not at a mid life crisis - though just like him I’ve got the Big Red Car I always wanted.
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