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Classic Astons On Sale
Aston Martin Opens Heritage Showroom
Fans of the Aston Martin marque will be pleased to hear that they can now buy classic‘ Heritage’ models from the firms own showroom at Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. The new arm to Aston Martin’ s empire is housed in the revamped Olympia Building, which fronted the former Aston Martin factory on Tickford Street. The company says that customers will be able to choose from a whole range of cars, from the very earliest models, right up to the DB7. The restored‘ Olympia’ building has become synonymous with Aston Martin’ s history at Newport Pagnell. With its distinctive barrel vault roof, the historic former aeroplane shed was named in recognition of its similarity to London’ s Olympia exhibition hall. For two years during the First World War the Olympia building accommodated a telegraphy school for Royal Engineers based in Newport Pagnell. In the 1920s the building was divided internally and used for a variety of purposes including vehicle finishing and trimming and a site for arms production in the Second World War. Since the 1950s Aston Martin has created prototypes and restored the bodywork of Aston Martin classics inside Olympia. www. astonmartinworks. com
First Of the Fives
‘ Wet Nellie’ To Star In RM Battersea Auction
Now this might make a neat alternative to the Channel Tunnel. The Lotus Esprit‘ submarine’ that starred in the James Bond film‘ The Spy Who Loved Me’ is going under the hammer at RM Auction’ s Battersea Park sale on September 8-9. This car was one of six Esprit bodyshells used to make the film, but is the only one capable of functioning underwater. During filming, the‘ car’ was operated by retired US Navy Seal Don Griffin in the underwater scenes. It gained the nickname‘ Wet Nellie,’ and was built by Perry Oceanographic in 1977. The auction takes place at Battersea on September 8-9. www. rmauctions. com
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