Category: Commentary

Skid Plate Options for an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, Commentary, How To13 Comments
Creeping into driveways on the Diagonal

I’ve jacked up the paint on my Aston Martin DB9’s nose more times than I can remember.   Scraaaaaaape.   Speed bumps, drive way curbs, parking curbs, they are everywhere trying to scratch up the nose on my car.  After 6 years of year round daily driving, it didn’t look pretty.

At a visit a to my dealer I was talking to the Tim Lyons (master mechanic) and he told me he had NEVER seen a customer car that wasn’t scraped up underneath.   Made me feel a little better that is wasn’t just me.

My car was recently completely repainted and I now had the opportunity to do something to protect my perfect and virgin paint.  I set about finding a ‘skid plate’ solution to shield the nose of my car. Continue reading “Skid Plate Options for an Aston Martin DB9” →

Brake Rotor Options for your Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, Commentary7 Comments
Worn out DB9 brakes needing new rotors

Brake Rotors are an essential part of the awesome brake systems fitted to the Aston Martin DB9 and Vantage.  They are also a routine wear item, and will eventually need replaced.  You can safely expect to get 20K miles or more from a set of Rotors (unless you track your car all the time).  When it is time to replace them I wanted to share you have more options than just going to the dealer and retting a set of the original OEM brake rotors.   As I’ve discussed in my other article on “Everything you might want to know about your Aston Martin Brake System” (check it out here) our brake system is made by Brembo, and was fitted to other high performance cars of the same era like the Corvette ZR1.  This is good news for us since it has led to a few more brake rotor options to choose from. Continue reading “Brake Rotor Options for your Aston Martin DB9” →

Choosing the Right Brake Fluid for your Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, Commentary6 Comments

Brake fluid is a key ingredient in any cars brake system, even more so in an Aston Martin DB9 or Vantage.  It’s so important that flushing the brake fluid is mandated in every annual service for the DB9 (check out the 1 year service schedule here).   But which brake fluid should you buy?   I set about researching this and discovered there is one disastrous wrong answer, so we need to choose wisely.  Read on so you don’t make that mistake.

Continue reading “Choosing the Right Brake Fluid for your Aston Martin DB9” →

Brake Pad Options for an Aston Martin DB9 or Vantage

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, Commentary30 Comments
Time for new Brake Pads on my DB9

One of the few parts on an Aston Martin that we actually have some aftermarket parts available for are the Brake Pads.   The Brakes on a DB9 are actually made by Brembo, and they were fitted to more cars than the DB9 and Vantage.  They are on the Corvette ZR1, Dodge Viper, Ford GT, Camero SS, Subaru STI and more.  Basically these were the cream of the crop performance cars of the era, and fast company.

Because the Brembo design was used in larger volumes than we are used to with our limited production Aston Martins, many third party companies make brake pads.   I wanted to outline your options below so when it comes time to service your brakes you can choose a set of pads that best suits your needs. Continue reading “Brake Pad Options for an Aston Martin DB9 or Vantage” →

Where ‘ya been Steve?

On By Steve McEvoyIn Commentary5 Comments

I have to admit that I am guilty.  I spent my summer playing with my Aston Martin rather than working on it.  I have neglected this blog and the YouTube channel.   My apologies.

Earlier in the year my Sweetie suggested that we do a getaway drive for fun (did I mention I love my wife).  Coincidentally – two of the regional clubs reached out to me to join their gatherings, and just like that we had the makings of two road trips. Continue reading “Where ‘ya been Steve?” →

Aston Martin Dealer Opens in Walnut Creek, California

On By Steve McEvoyIn Commentary5 Comments

It might not seem like an issue to those living in the UK, but here in the USA Aston Martin dealerships are few and far between.   If you live in a Major metropolitan area you usually have an option, but in smaller cities they just can’t manage to survive.  I live in Sacramento, California with a population north of one million, but no luck.  My nearest dealership (up to now) was 130 miles and at least 3 hours away in Silicon Valley.   If you are an avid reader of this blog you know occasionally I sneak my car over to the Maserati dealership in town, I just just heard that they’ve given up and are closing in September.

Laura Schwab, President, Aston Martin The Americas

I was pleased to have just received a form letter from Aston Martin The Americas President Laura Schwab (read the entire letter here).   It’s not like Laura knows me from a hole in the ground (I would like to meet her though if someone out there can arrange it).   Aston Martin has just opened a dealership in Walnut Creek, California.   For those of us in Northern California this is considerably more accessible than the Silicon Valley dealership in Los Gatos, CA.  For me its now ‘just’ 75 miles and about a 90 minute drive [half a day minimum out and back for an oil change still]. Continue reading “Aston Martin Dealer Opens in Walnut Creek, California” →

DBS V12 Volante Production Numbers – A Geek’s Guide

On By timamhtIn Commentary14 Comments

The DBS V12 coupe had been in production for over a year when the Volante version was first shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Whilst the coupe was a direct replacement for the Vanquish S, the DBS Volante represented a combination that AML had not offered for 10 years by putting their most powerful engine in their flagship open car. This isn’t something that AML always offer, but when they do the results are always spectacular and instantly desirable. Who can resist the pull of a DB4 convertible with the GT engine, the late 1980s overly bespoilered V8 Vantage Volante or the super-rare 1999 supercharged Vantage Volante Special Edition. So, the DBS V12 Volante is another shining example of this rare combination.

E11213 is a very famous DBS Volante. This particular car was used during the press launch and was famously driven by Jeremy Clarkson in Romania on a feature on BBC’s Top Gear. It is one of only eight UK cars with a manual gearbox – Photo by Tim Cottingham

Continue reading “DBS V12 Volante Production Numbers – A Geek’s Guide” →

My Other British Love is For Sale – 1961 MG Midget Mk I

On By Steve McEvoyIn Commentary3 Comments

My Aston Martin DB9 wasn’t my first love.  It was 43 years ago when I met her back in Canada.  She’s been with me through high school, watched my career develop, carried my kids around, and always been a constant in my life.   But the fact is I just don’t play with her much anymore now that the Aston has caught my eye.

I’m talking about my 1961 MG Midget Mk I of course (not my Sweetie).

I’ve decided to sell her.  Hopefully to a good home.  I won’t go into all the details here, but if you are at all interested, or know someone else that might be interested please pass this information along.

She’s up for auction now over on the BringATrailer.com website.  You can access the posting by clicking here.   The auction wraps up Monday April 22nd, 2019.

As you might imagine I have developed a extensive WordPress site with all the service history, condition, and hundreds of photos and videos if you’d like to learn more (by clicking here).

 

Come Join me at the AMOC Western Canada Meeting

On By Steve McEvoyIn Commentary5 Comments

Please come join me in attending the AMOC Western Canada meeting coming up July 27th and 28th in beautiful Victoria, BC.

My Sweetie and I are going to drive up from California in our DB9 to attend this event and make a long weekend getaway of it with meeting some other Aston enthusiasts along the way.   If you are heading up from south of the border, please leave a comment on this blog if you’d like to meet up along the way and make the journey as a group.   Anyone in NorCal interested in going (and take advantage of the incredible exchange rate right now where $1 USD will get you about $1.33 CDN) ?

If you are located in Western Canada or the Pacific Northwest, please consider attending this well organized event.  They are hoping to get 30+ Aston’s of all vintages to attend.

They have two great days of events planned for the Saturday and Sunday.   Day one is for AMOC members and their guests, and will include some interesting speakers like Stuart from Velocity AP and Richard from Redpants.lol,  The event will be held in a beautiful setting.  All the details about the event are listed down below (thanks to Wyman Lee for sending along the details).

Continue reading “Come Join me at the AMOC Western Canada Meeting” →

The “Goldilocks” Model

On By Brian GreeneIn Commentary6 Comments
Evolution of a Classic Design

I will never forget seeing my first DB9 at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show. I was there shooting for a new HDTV series and was having fun looking at all the new automotive offerings. But when I laid eyes on this car, the world seemed to slow down and freeze for a moment. The noise of the crowd fell silent and I forgot where I was headed. I turned to my crew and said “we are doing a story about THIS car.” It was the most beautiful modern design I had ever seen. It was at this very moment, I swore that one day I’d own this car. I had no idea how I would ever afford it, but that did not matter. I just knew it had to be in a future garage of mine. Years later I realized that dream and nothing makes me happier than quality time with my Aston.

As a lover of classic car design, I believe that in the future we will look back at the DB9 as the “Goldilocks” model of this era. What I mean by that, is the design is just right compared to what came before and after it in the series. Continue reading “The “Goldilocks” Model” →