Aston Martin DB12 S ‘VMF’

Three of a Kind

In the 1950s, the Aston Martin DB2 laid the foundations for the brand’s post-war success. Aston Martin is now unveiling three special editions of the DB12 S to mark the 75th anniversary of Monterey Car Week.

Text
Lisa Kummerer
Photos
Aston Martin

Do all roads lead to Le Mans? Perhaps not quite. But one could say that many great stories about the origins of sports cars lead to the home of the most famous 24-hour race. This one is no exception.

In 1951, the Aston Martin Racing Team fielded three DB2 racing cars with British number plates bearing the city code ‘VMF’, which stands for Middlesex in the UK – the location to which the brand’s production had been relocated the previous year. Each of the three cars featured a coloured radiator grille. One of them was class winner at the 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished third overall.

And because the stories of new cars often begin at Monterey Car Week, the modern-day story of the Aston Martin DB12 also begins there. Q by Aston Martin, the British luxury car brand’s personalisation programme, is showcasing three exclusive DB12-S models there – named VMF 63, VMF 64 and VMF 65 – which draw inspiration from the colour schemes of the 1951 Aston Martin Racing Team cars: The VMF 63 features accents in ‘Rosso Red’, the VMF 64 has details in ‘Speed Yellow’ and the VMF 65 features elements in ‘Ellwood Blue’.

With this, Aston Martin is celebrating not only the DB12’s 75-year success story, but also 75 years of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – and thus the sporting roots of the event. This is reflected in a series of enhancements by the Q by Aston Martin team: Externally, the DB12 S ‘VMF’ models are distinguished by their ‘Carbon Black’ paintwork, painted radiator grilles, ‘75’ emblems on the wings and painted carbon-fibre side skirts. A painted carbon-fibre Aeroblade and a DB2 decal on the rear add the finishing touches to the exterior.

"I hope and believe that these very special models will serve as a fitting tribute to what has now become one of the biggest events in the motoring world."

Vittorio Gabba, Head of Department Q at Aston Martin

Inside, each vehicle features colour-coordinated contrasting stitching in the shape of Aston Martin wings, as well as DB2 silhouette embroidery on the backrests of the front seats, ‘75’ emblems on the rear seat backrests, a lacquered start-stop knob and lacquered gearshift paddles.

Have you caught Aston Martin fever yet?

That’s understandable. And it’s a good thing. After all, the British sports car brand still has a few special events in store for Monterey Car Week. Visitors can experience the “Astons On The Avenue” parade on Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea, for example, on 12 August. Of course, the brand will also be taking part in The Quail on 14 August – the centrepiece event of Monterey Car Week for motoring enthusiasts. A new car will also be unveiled live for the first time during the event: the Vanquish 25 Special Edition, designed to mark the 25th anniversary of the launch of the original V12 Vanquish.

→ astonmartin.com

Lisa Kummerer

Editor

Spent the weekends of her childhood alternating between a light blue Opel Olympia Rekord and a red Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0, mostly reading. The destination? The journey. Ever since, she has been enthusiastic about the beautiful things in life. Studied fashion journalism, practising editor. Most likely to be found in the cinema, in the kitchen, with a violin on her shoulder or lifting weights. Please note: rarely in the car.

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