Classic, Performance & Retro July 2013 | Page 7

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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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