Thanks so much for watching! As always, let me know in the comments your three favourite Astons. I look forward to seeing your choices. Merch available at: www.frankstephenson.com/lost-merch/ Colouring book available at: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B098CNYZJ7?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
According to Car magazine in the period, Aston had discovered through wind tunnel testing that little to no air was able to get through the grill at speeds above something like 120-130 mph, so they blocked it off in order to give it a higher top speed.
I remember reading the same thing except in Performance Car, I think. Blocking it off ended up ramming more air into the vents below and improving performance
I remember that explanation from the time. It's big and heavy, easy to ground a very expensive exhaust, a bit of a fast lorry to drive (saw an indicated 165, probably a real 150) and full of trim parts I recognised off my Dolomite Sprint. Great car though, the epitome of the era.
They also blocked off the top vent too for the same reasons even though the pic he showed was an earlier example with the hood scoop still open. The intake was fed through a plenum, so no reason to have that scoop there for intake reasons and the engine definitely wasn't venting heat in that direction either.
I remember reading an article on the One-77 where Marek Reichman described the design as having two interlocking rings, one vertical (the front of the car) and one horizontal (the back). It was a fascinating read, and it explained those rear wheel arches perfectly.
The One-77 was always my absolute favorite car during childhood and I feel very much validated by someone like you listing it as one of their top three designs.
For me the vantage from the early 2000s. Gosh, that design is just so perfect. There was the vanquish, the db9, even the virage and such that were similar, but the vantage had the most gorgeous proportions from every angle
Very cool. As an honorable mention, I would have included the previous generation Vantage. Doesn’t matter that it’s a previous generation car, I think it looks much better than the current one. Just beautiful.
As always, what a beautiful video Frank, as a young 20 year old materials engineering undergraduate, your perspective on design and aesthetic surely will impact my career in some way.
My favorite element with the One-77 is the continuation from the side vents at the front to the sides. It gives this impression that the line just cuts through the wheel arch, almost separating the front wheels from the body of the car. It’s reminiscent of older cars from the thirties, with those separated wheel arches. I absolutely love the clever choice to not only enlarge the side vent to overtake the front fenders, but in how this adjustment redefines how you can separate the wheels without making a completely separate fender.
Yes, you are absolurely right. So many times have I admired this car from design perspective and just now did I discover that the front fenders vents are so perfectly aligned with the side vents in one line
I love the one-77 too. One funny thing about it though - the way the hip angle begins at the door shut line makes it seam like the hips are painted a brighter colour then the reast of the body work.
I think that the One-77 genuinely has the most beautiful rear end of any car ever. The tail light is perfection and the simplicity of lines around the licence plate & diffuser is just gorgeous. I also love the way the exhausts are positioned between the fins of the diffuser.
My favorite is the 2009 Era V8 Vantage. I loved it so much, I bought one. The car is riddled with problems and has been annoying at times but a few years of fixing it and I'm currently enjoying it. I don't anticipate selling it anytime soon purely because of the style. It's basically a fancy Ford / Volvo.
Thanks for another educational and entertaining video. My top three designs are 1. The Rapide - the elongated chassis and unhindered front grille of the Rapide S just give a sense of majesty, elegance and purposefulness to that deaign. Love this car in skyfall silver or scintilla silver. 2. The Vanquish Gen 2 - love the rear spoiler and aide profile. I love this car in Cumberland grey or Hammerhead silver. 3. DB11 AMR - beautiful front hood with clamshell design, interesting take of the side vents and I love the rear end. I do like a bloss black roof over a China grey body with yellow callipers peaking out of gloss black asymmetric wheels.
V8 Vantage for me. I remember one driving up behind me as I was walking past Earl’s Court, London, one day. I literally thought it was approaching thunder and turned around to look, the guy driving it noticed and planted his foot. The sound of this beast roaring past will always stay with me. I think Performance Car called it The Beast In The Saville Row Suit. A truly great looking and sounding car.
I belive the stpry behind closed grill of V8 Vantage must have something to do with aerodynamics. My guess is that they wanted to achieve better top speed, but that's just my guess. For my a DB9 is the obvious choice for the best of them all in terms of design. It is such a perfect blend of pure design and sporty elegance. I cannot belive it is more that 15 years old at this point. Keep the great work Mr. Frank, love watching Your videos
6:05 regarding your comments about the grille, honestly it depends. Usually race cars do have a ram-air system via a snorkel on mid engined cars (good example is your Maserati MC12 or the F1 GTR LongTail), in an front engined car, you can see this practice with the naca duct on the hood of the Viper. However, apart from that, and the cooling requirements, it’s better to keep the opening as minimal as possible to decrease drag. This is a technique that bonnevile salt racers do to their cars, they would literally cover the grilles of their cars in an effort to cheaply increase top speed by reducing drag. Of course, this presents problems with heat, but depending on the cooling system setup available, it is possible to get away with very minimal ducting.
I would still go for the Aston Martin DB7 Volante, yes I know its platform is that of the Jaguar XJS (a beauty as well) but to me, the DB7 - especially the Volante - captures the essence of Aston Martin on the whole.
The recently unveiled Victor is achingly good looking! And from an enthusiast perspective, can't beat a Cosworth tuned V12 driving the rear wheels and a manual transmission. Great video as usual!
Again, describing and creating thoughts that i would not have arrived at. Brilliant video, i am learning more lingo.. today i picked up on "The Belt", and the "Greenhouse"....
Mr Frank , you are the one who made me love car design and made me want to go learn car design, one day with determination and hard work I might be great designer like you , wonderful video
I recently did a watches and cars video where I said that my weekend car would be a birthyear (1979) Vantage Oscar India limited edition! What an absolute beast. Loved the video thanks Frank. Oh and the watch I matched it with was a birthyear Rolex Daytona 6263 "Big Red" - another absolute beast in the watch world. Imagine cruising around in that combo...ooofftt
Great video, as always! Love the details you're providing on each car and element! I'm trying to understand the V8 Vantage design: - maybe they removed the intake scoop of the hood because they managed to find a better intake location (e.g. side scoops? unusual choice for a V engine). Assuming that Aston Martin was close to go bankrupt, maybe a more detailled hood was too expensive. However, as long as you get the closest to stoichiometric ratio (petrol/air 14.7:1) all along the engine's operating range with that max airflow induced by the intake, why bothering with another design? Of course, there's always a way to get more HP but you know how development technical specs work. - maybe they closed the grill because they didn't need to open it to cool the engine through a big radiator that needs an opened grill (e.g. Porsche 944/928 and 968 with tiny grills). Closing the grill represents a big advantage in terms of aerodynamics, greatly reducing drag I guess. Also, some engines work better at higher temperatures (e.g.: Porsche 928/944. I don't have an explanation for this). A friend of mine had a US spec Volante and it had an open grill. Now that you've put the finger on this closed-grill, they should have found a reason to open it.
OMG Frank, You made my day so happy! I have been waiting for this video since the channel started. AMLL is my favorite brand in the world, i love every design of every year they have ever made in their 108 year existence. I am biased toward the DB5 because of James Bond of course, and i love the DB4 too, they are basically the same but i like the look in the headlights of both, like to different outfits of the same guy. I really can't be upset by your chioces because Aston has a TON of candidates, and as always you are on point with the details, the one thing i want to people to take notice in the One-77 is the tail lights, the most astonishing (pun certainly intended) i've ever seen, covering the whole of the rear end of the car and finishing with the Aston Martin wings design carved inside the lamps... absolutely gorgeous piece of art those lights. Brilliant Frank, you did it again, keep tearing the house down!
I have a car book that read that Aston Martin engineers closed off the front grille, on the V8 Vantage for aerodynamic purposes. Also stating that not that much cooling air was being pushed through the radiator grille on that particular model.
I get so much Ford Mustang when looking at those older Vantages. The first gen DB7 with an inline-6 and manual is still one of my affordable dream cars, I love how understated it is. The Aston Martin and Zagato collaborations are always really interesting and often quite zany, definitely eye-catching!
My 5 favorite Aston Martin designs: - DB4 Imo the most elegant one out of the DB4/DB5/DB6 bodydesignseries - DB4 GT Zagato Just perfect from every angle - DB9/Rapide* Timeless design in modern times (*showed Porsche how to turn a GT into a 4door!) - DB10 Modern AM design distilled to it's most basic form - Lagonda Taraf Again a Masterclass in how to design a timeless, elegant 4door saloon/limosine
Totally agree with the picks, and I was glad to see the one 77 make the cut. I'd add the vanquish redesign to the honorable mentions, I just think it has perfect proportions and I love the integrated spoiler.
Hi Frank, another great video.. I don't agree with all of your choices for Aston Martin. But I most definitely agree with your first choice the DB4 GT Zagato, probably one of the most beautiful cars ever made, as simple as that. V8 Vantage is one of my least favorite Aston Martin's, I think it's the most crass and vulgar looking much like an iteration of its predecessor the DBS, which look like a fusion of Ford Cortina and Ford Mustang from those times. If based on rear end alone, then the One 77 would win hands down, but the sides seem pretty clumsy and the front end is a bit cumbersome; so my second and third choices would be the Aston Martin DBR1, up there with the most stunning sports race car designs of all time, my third choice would be the DBS Superleggera, no other car company manages to make contemporary sports cars with this kind of understated class, it's exceptional. Thanks once again for another great video!
My top 3 Aston Martin 1. Aston Martin DB5 2. Aston Martin One-77 3. Aston Martin Valkyrie Great video as always! Can't agree more with your opinions and thoughts 😃
For me, I think the original Vanquish (2001-2007) is an incredibly beautiful one with proportions just right. I also love the DB5 as that's the classic Bond car. Great video!
How easily you sold me on the beauty of the One-77. I had never seen it before, and at first glance, the scoops beneath each headlight felt odd. But every new image/angle and explanation quickly changed my mind.
Great video. To answer your question, if you pop the hood, under the bulge is a plenum chamber fed by two huge air inlet pipes so they were getting ram air effect another way, possibly more aerodynamic. They got over 400bhp. FWIW, I’d pick DB4, the DBS V12 from 2008, and the understated Prince of Wales spec 1977 Vantage.
Great video! Idea for future content: short takes on more mundane cars. Love to hear your thoughts on cars like the new S-class, Cadillac Lyric, or Lucid Air, for example.
For me it would be DB6mk2, V8 Vantage (same as your pick) and DB9GT. But my dream Aston would either be the recent Victor one-off, or an '80s V8 Vantage body on a DBS Superleggera chassis/powertrain/running gear restomod!!
Personally prefer DB4GT to Zagato - not so often we prefer the cheaper cars ! I just find it a bit more taught in its shape, but Frank you are so right that it defined Aston for next 10 years and then gave them the basis for the return to curves with the DB7 onwards. V8 Vantage is so brutal :) Not that I. think its the best looking of the newer cars but the original Vanquish really defined the current line-up and direction, probably even more so than the 0ne-77. Was it Callums legacy (the Vanquish) or Marek's taking the brand forward (One-77) ?? Great Vid
In regards to the V8 vantage, Mr. Chad hairs, I believe that the front grille close off is for drag, tho I could be very wrong and is just for styling. However, the hood scoop is very American, as the vent for the scoop is right up against the windscreen, which takes the turbulent air between the bonnet and the windscreen in that way, rather than from the front, which'd usually be wasted as drag
@Frank Stephenson I really liked this video. It celebrates the greatest successes in design, gives lovely historical perspective on how the form advanced through the ages, and opened my eyes to a greater appreciation for each of these models. Thanks Frank.
Great video as always Frank! Your approach to car designs helped me with finding the true beauty of cars and a few years back I thought the more aggresive a vehicle is, the better. Turns out I now don't quite like cars I used to love a couple years back (in terms of their designs, they are obviously still great pieces of engineering). I also really really like these Astons you showed us today, but my top 3 are these ones: Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Aston Martin DBS 1st gen Aston Martin Victor Keep up the good work, I very much enjoy watching your vids ;)
Enjoyed this Frank and was so pleased to see the Vantage and 1-77 on the list. The latter is one of the cars that has to be seen in the flesh to truly appreciate (I saw a metallic brown one at a concours event and it was jaw-dropping). I'd love to see your take on William Towns' Lagonda - a challenging design that saved the company! My top three: DB2/4 mark III, V8 Vantage Volante POW and that 1-77 in metallic brown...
@Frank as always awesome video! Regarding your question how and why they closed the grill of the V8 Vantage: they modified the engine with the later Series 5 model and replaced the big carburettors with electrical fuel injection. So they didn‘t need the airflow anymore. By closing both the grill and bonnet bulge they allegedly reduced the air drag by 10% over the standard saloon.
Another great review, Frank. I agree with you that the Aston Martin One-77 is their best lookng model. And as for the bumper, it would be set behind the grille. That's a trend l first noticed on the Chrysler 300c. However, my favorite Aston Martin is the 77 V8 Vantage. And that's simply because it looks like a classic Mustang. But l never noticed the front grille was closed-off. It seems to be only for aesthetic.
Love these series and really great content and insight into car design…the good, the not so good and all clearly discussed from a position of real practical knowledge 👍🏻 Ignoring Ferrari and Aston Martin brand HyperCars and the heritage models, then my clear favourites are the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Aston Martin DB9 GT Volante. I own these and think both models represent the best and simplest form of design of that whole era for both brands. Keep the videos coming as they are a great watch and full of interest 👍🏻
According to "Aston Martin and Lagonda" by Chris Harvey and "The Aston Martin V8 1969 - 2000" by Russel Hayes, the Vantage's blanked off front grill was not used for cars in hotter climates, it improved the aerodynamics and a large scoop and air dam were introduced under the bumper for cooling. The effect was "an increased water temperature at idle from 85 to 95 degrees centigrade" - which it was argued was actually more optimal. The rear of the bonnet bump remained open to vent air/heat. The smoother bonnet look was a development of the design work originally done when the V8 Volante was introduced.
PARALLELILELELILELELILELELILISM. 💪 I always had a soft spot for the DB7, personally. It felt like the first of a new generation of truly 'modern' yet timeless Aston designs. I'd imagine you know Ian Callum quite well, Frank?
@@FrankStephensondesign Were you both in the same department when working on the Escort Cosworth? More importantly, is he jelly that you came up with the biplane rear wing? 😂
'35 Ulster, DBR2, DBR4 Zagato, and One77. Interesting to hear you talk about the V8 and how it brought in a more masculine look. I always thought it was the nadir of AM design, but your point of view gives an interesting new perspective in the evolution of a brands design. Great review.
Mk1 Vanquish S sits just behind the one-77 for me. A big brutal front end with big doe eyes and far more sculpted than later offerings. Ian Callum just needs to leave it alone now…
I have no issue with the three. They’re all beautiful, but my choices would be slightly different. I’d stick with the One-77 as it bring s back the DB4 but in a new, futuristic language. A total statement car that is familiar but dramatically forward-looking at the same time. The other two, I’d have to go first with the DB4 GT over the Zagato (though it’s close, I like the leaner look of the DB4GT. And finally the original DBS/vantage/V8. It yanked AM design into the modern age but was so achingly elegant and clean. I’d choose it over the V8 Vantage here because of the two things you mention (the closed off bulge and grill - WTF? - along with the flip-tail spoiler (too boy-racer for my taste). The cleaner look of the quad-lamp/full-width grill and the trim, smooth tail section are so much more light and balanced than the later V8 designs. And considering it’s the blueprint for all the following generations until the Ford/Jaguar redesign, I’d say the original DBS was a design masterpiece.
Wow, yeah totally agree. The only thing I don't like as much about the 177's design is the sweep from down through the front headlight. It looks like the car has a hair in it's eye. A bit uncomfortable. For the rest, stunning.
On the One -77, not minding the fact that the front fenders are one with the front bumper but it also has the rear third of the car as one piece as well. The back piece is cut at the roof and door lines and at the side skirts. While the car has a carbon-fiber monocoque and subframes, the panels are made of aluminum. The fitment of such panels cannot be easy, regardless on how hand-built or modern the craftmanship and manufacturing facilities and/or methods are. Good luck to anyone ever replacing one of those panels, in case of an accident - while that might not be the first thing to worry about if crashing such a piece of art.
Looking at Frank's comments on the Aston Martin lines, the one thought I had was...would love to see him comment on the Mazda Kodo design language especially with the ND MX-5...
I think you nailed it about the choices of my favorite brand of cars. My choices were obviously the DB5 (because 007), the V8 Vantage/DBS/DB9 (but especially the Vantage. I love the V12 Vantage, but that is arguably the worst-looking for the gills in the hood... But the sound is definitely Aston Martin) and, of course, the One-77. In that last one, I think there is no doubt it was peak Aston Martin design, I don't know how they can follow it up. The Valhalla/Valkyrie are great looking, but not jaw-dropping like the One-77.
My top-3 Aston Martin designs would be the DB4 GT instead of DB4 GT Zagato, followed by the One-77 and the V8 Vantage just like yours (gen 2 DBS and gen 1 Vanquish round off my top-5). I agree with everything you've said about the past and present design of this marque. Also, I'd love for you to make a video on your top-3 Jaguar designs next in this series.
YESS YES YES. Thank you. Thank you Frank for critiquing the One-77 and declaring this absolute beauty as one of the top 3 greatest designed car ever. It is from the beginning of its existence my most beloved car ever.
A lot of people hated it, but I really liked the look of the Victor. The DB9 is just really nostalgic for me, my grandpa had one and I really feel like it's "the" Aston Martin. I remember seeing them show off the prototype Vulcan, and I loved the look. It's really aggressive, but still subtle.
My favorite is the 2001-2007 Vanquish. I love these lights with black borders! The early AM would be the DBR1, but I have a sweet spot for sports cars from this era. And finally, the modern one would be V12 Speedster. I don't think I have to add anything but "look at this bonnet"!
Frank is the type of guy you really want to have a beer with. Love your videos ! If I had to pick one Aston it would be the Vanquish 25 Callum. Very posh GT
I'm just curious, what you don't or might not like about the DB9 that it didn't make your list. I think you made some amazing choices but the DB9 would have been on my list for sure.
I must also add, the V8 Vantage in the Living Daylights just looks so good, whenever I am visualising an 80s car in my mind if it has the "Living Daylights Factor" then it is up there with that car. So sophisticated and elegant, while brutal in its application. Am I sad it wasn't a Ur-quattro in that sequence, yes, but what we got was so good my imagination can have endless hours of fun dreaming up alternatives
I feel this would be a perfect candidate in a Mad Max type film. Like a rundown yet purposeful hot rod. Or maybe even a centerpiece in a movie like Drive.
Can't agree with the 177 making the top three, though fully appreciate it's a personal choice. The 17,7 as with the 2001 Vanquish, both look like they have undergone cosmetic surgery and are suffering from botox bloat. The flowing lines are just not as cohesive, as in say the DB9, were the purity of form is just perfect. However, great to hear your opinion as always.
I've never seen the 1977 V8 Vantage before, and surely wouldn't have expected anything like it to come from Aston Martin. Really compelling though. Thanks for the exposure!
Frank, it would be cool to see a series analysing coach-built cars. I'd love to hear your take on the Touring Arese RH95, for example. Am I wrong to think it borrows design cues from Bugatti: a bit of Chiron in the back and Divo in the front?
![2007 Aston Martin DB9 V12 Review and Deep-Dive Into Aston History [Alanis King]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TvGrrMxB3fw/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks so much for watching! As always, let me know in the comments your three favourite Astons. I look forward to seeing your choices.
Merch available at: www.frankstephenson.com/lost-merch/
Colouring book available at: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B098CNYZJ7?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
I love this channel. Please consider doing an episode on your thoughts about Corvette and its design throughout the decades, thank you.
I personally prefer the 70s DBS V8 over the vantage. It's the front end which just seems more elegant to me
The Victor is pretty awesome.
I missed the DBS 😉 Frank? Can you give us a tour to your garage??
The '77 V8 vantage looks very similar to the '77 Mustang King Cobra lol
According to Car magazine in the period, Aston had discovered through wind tunnel testing that little to no air was able to get through the grill at speeds above something like 120-130 mph, so they blocked it off in order to give it a higher top speed.
I remember reading the same thing except in Performance Car, I think. Blocking it off ended up ramming more air into the vents below and improving performance
Beat me to it! I remember reading the same road test - Victor Gauntlett's blue Vantage
I remember that explanation from the time. It's big and heavy, easy to ground a very expensive exhaust, a bit of a fast lorry to drive (saw an indicated 165, probably a real 150) and full of trim parts I recognised off my Dolomite Sprint. Great car though, the epitome of the era.
They also blocked off the top vent too for the same reasons even though the pic he showed was an earlier example with the hood scoop still open. The intake was fed through a plenum, so no reason to have that scoop there for intake reasons and the engine definitely wasn't venting heat in that direction either.
Then it would't help with speed either much!
The db9 for me is the cleanest most pure, theres nothing “flashy” just class and clean lines.
The original DB9 or the Virage that became the new DB9?
For me, it's the DB9’s brother, the Vantage, that fully expresses the design they share.
2008 DBS🤤
It's one of my top 3 beautiful modern cars, if not the best, it's perfect
I used to love the OG DB9 so much but now I prefer the DBS, I am not really sure why.
I remember reading an article on the One-77 where Marek Reichman described the design as having two interlocking rings, one vertical (the front of the car) and one horizontal (the back). It was a fascinating read, and it explained those rear wheel arches perfectly.
The One-77 was always my absolute favorite car during childhood and I feel very much validated by someone like you listing it as one of their top three designs.
For me the vantage from the early 2000s. Gosh, that design is just so perfect. There was the vanquish, the db9, even the virage and such that were similar, but the vantage had the most gorgeous proportions from every angle
Ah yes, the Astonishing Martini, one of the most beautiful cars ever made
Shaken, not stirred.
*delicious*
@@tommynobaka and extra dirty.
Underrated comment. 👏
In olive green with pimento red interior
8:49 Gotta love those Forza Horizon 4 pictures :)
forza vista is honestly the best high res image source we have for some cars
love forza
@@minoassal I know, I use them in my videos too. Rarely anyone notices
Gt sport photo mode is awesome too but they don't have as much cars as Forza but they have more detail
@@migz8911 sorry… but as many*
Very cool. As an honorable mention, I would have included the previous generation Vantage. Doesn’t matter that it’s a previous generation car, I think it looks much better than the current one. Just beautiful.
Definitely, the newer one is nice but an aesthetic step back from the early 2000’s car.
As always, what a beautiful video Frank, as a young 20 year old materials engineering undergraduate, your perspective on design and aesthetic surely will impact my career in some way.
BOOM! Thanks Y! 👍
My favorite element with the One-77 is the continuation from the side vents at the front to the sides. It gives this impression that the line just cuts through the wheel arch, almost separating the front wheels from the body of the car. It’s reminiscent of older cars from the thirties, with those separated wheel arches. I absolutely love the clever choice to not only enlarge the side vent to overtake the front fenders, but in how this adjustment redefines how you can separate the wheels without making a completely separate fender.
Yes, you are absolurely right. So many times have I admired this car from design perspective and just now did I discover that the front fenders vents are so perfectly aligned with the side vents in one line
I love the one-77 too. One funny thing about it though - the way the hip angle begins at the door shut line makes it seam like the hips are painted a brighter colour then the reast of the body work.
Gotta say the VH-era Vantage (2009-2017??) is an almost perfectly balanced and most beautiful designs ever. Great list Frank... love these vids.
Hands down the one 77 blew me away as a kid and still continues to amaze me aesthetically today! Just perfection in balanced design!
I think that the One-77 genuinely has the most beautiful rear end of any car ever. The tail light is perfection and the simplicity of lines around the licence plate & diffuser is just gorgeous. I also love the way the exhausts are positioned between the fins of the diffuser.
The greenhouse on the one-77 never felt right to me. But the rest is just so stunning
My favorite is the 2009 Era V8 Vantage. I loved it so much, I bought one. The car is riddled with problems and has been annoying at times but a few years of fixing it and I'm currently enjoying it. I don't anticipate selling it anytime soon purely because of the style. It's basically a fancy Ford / Volvo.
Thanks for another educational and entertaining video. My top three designs are 1. The Rapide - the elongated chassis and unhindered front grille of the Rapide S just give a sense of majesty, elegance and purposefulness to that deaign. Love this car in skyfall silver or scintilla silver. 2. The Vanquish Gen 2 - love the rear spoiler and aide profile. I love this car in Cumberland grey or Hammerhead silver. 3. DB11 AMR - beautiful front hood with clamshell design, interesting take of the side vents and I love the rear end. I do like a bloss black roof over a China grey body with yellow callipers peaking out of gloss black asymmetric wheels.
V8 Vantage for me. I remember one driving up behind me as I was walking past Earl’s Court, London, one day. I literally thought it was approaching thunder and turned around to look, the guy driving it noticed and planted his foot. The sound of this beast roaring past will always stay with me. I think Performance Car called it The Beast In The Saville Row Suit. A truly great looking and sounding car.
Great video, i would like to see a top 3 Lancia designs from you, keep up the good work!
Cheers Leonardo! 👍
I belive the stpry behind closed grill of V8 Vantage must have something to do with aerodynamics. My guess is that they wanted to achieve better top speed, but that's just my guess.
For my a DB9 is the obvious choice for the best of them all in terms of design. It is such a perfect blend of pure design and sporty elegance. I cannot belive it is more that 15 years old at this point.
Keep the great work Mr. Frank, love watching Your videos
I guess theres a little bit of nascar in It. Typically, in nascar, the cup cars have very small grilles just so they have lesser drag
Thank you Lukasz! 👍
When you mentioned one-77 it put a smile on my face. It's absolutely unique in every way , I love the muscles on the rear wheels.
6:05 regarding your comments about the grille, honestly it depends. Usually race cars do have a ram-air system via a snorkel on mid engined cars (good example is your Maserati MC12 or the F1 GTR LongTail), in an front engined car, you can see this practice with the naca duct on the hood of the Viper. However, apart from that, and the cooling requirements, it’s better to keep the opening as minimal as possible to decrease drag. This is a technique that bonnevile salt racers do to their cars, they would literally cover the grilles of their cars in an effort to cheaply increase top speed by reducing drag. Of course, this presents problems with heat, but depending on the cooling system setup available, it is possible to get away with very minimal ducting.
The optimal solution in my point of view GT is active slats that open and close based on the intake needs and thermal requirements.
@@FrankStephensondesign Please review the Porsche 911 GT3
I would still go for the Aston Martin DB7 Volante, yes I know its platform is that of the Jaguar XJS (a beauty as well) but to me, the DB7 - especially the Volante - captures the essence of Aston Martin on the whole.
The recently unveiled Victor is achingly good looking! And from an enthusiast perspective, can't beat a Cosworth tuned V12 driving the rear wheels and a manual transmission. Great video as usual!
Again, describing and creating thoughts that i would not have arrived at. Brilliant video, i am learning more lingo.. today i picked up on "The Belt", and the "Greenhouse"....
Cheers Grip! 👍
Thank you for this!
I love One-77, V8 Vantage 2005 and DB5
Mr Frank , you are the one who made me love car design and made me want to go learn car design, one day with determination and hard work I might be great designer like you , wonderful video
Mr Stephenson, my absolute favorite car is the One77. So glad you mentioned it.
Great video as always! Cannot wait for your take on Audi!
Thanks. I had not really appreciated the 1-77 before. Terrific design.
I recently did a watches and cars video where I said that my weekend car would be a birthyear (1979) Vantage Oscar India limited edition! What an absolute beast. Loved the video thanks Frank. Oh and the watch I matched it with was a birthyear Rolex Daytona 6263 "Big Red" - another absolute beast in the watch world. Imagine cruising around in that combo...ooofftt
The One-77 aged so well. 12 years later, it still looks modern. It's the only car from 2009-2010 that I would still buy.
Great video, as always! Love the details you're providing on each car and element!
I'm trying to understand the V8 Vantage design:
- maybe they removed the intake scoop of the hood because they managed to find a better intake location (e.g. side scoops? unusual choice for a V engine). Assuming that Aston Martin was close to go bankrupt, maybe a more detailled hood was too expensive. However, as long as you get the closest to stoichiometric ratio (petrol/air 14.7:1) all along the engine's operating range with that max airflow induced by the intake, why bothering with another design? Of course, there's always a way to get more HP but you know how development technical specs work.
- maybe they closed the grill because they didn't need to open it to cool the engine through a big radiator that needs an opened grill (e.g. Porsche 944/928 and 968 with tiny grills). Closing the grill represents a big advantage in terms of aerodynamics, greatly reducing drag I guess. Also, some engines work better at higher temperatures (e.g.: Porsche 928/944. I don't have an explanation for this).
A friend of mine had a US spec Volante and it had an open grill. Now that you've put the finger on this closed-grill, they should have found a reason to open it.
OMG Frank, You made my day so happy! I have been waiting for this video since the channel started. AMLL is my favorite brand in the world, i love every design of every year they have ever made in their 108 year existence.
I am biased toward the DB5 because of James Bond of course, and i love the DB4 too, they are basically the same but i like the look in the headlights of both, like to different outfits of the same guy.
I really can't be upset by your chioces because Aston has a TON of candidates, and as always you are on point with the details, the one thing i want to people to take notice in the One-77 is the tail lights, the most astonishing (pun certainly intended) i've ever seen, covering the whole of the rear end of the car and finishing with the Aston Martin wings design carved inside the lamps... absolutely gorgeous piece of art those lights. Brilliant Frank, you did it again, keep tearing the house down!
Thank you Joshua, much appreciated and will do! 👍
The One-77 is one of my favorites. I am glad that Frank analysed and explained it's qualities for everyone to see.
Not sure about top 3 but the One 77 is the no. 1 for me. Just beautiful and looks contemporary. Great footage btw.
I have a car book that read that Aston Martin engineers closed off the front grille, on the V8 Vantage for aerodynamic purposes. Also stating that not that much cooling air was being pushed through the radiator grille on that particular model.
I get so much Ford Mustang when looking at those older Vantages. The first gen DB7 with an inline-6 and manual is still one of my affordable dream cars, I love how understated it is. The Aston Martin and Zagato collaborations are always really interesting and often quite zany, definitely eye-catching!
The 1977 V8 Vantage looks like a classic 80s Jaguar XJ and a Mustang made love.
My 5 favorite Aston Martin designs:
- DB4 Imo the most elegant one out of the DB4/DB5/DB6 bodydesignseries
- DB4 GT Zagato Just perfect from every angle
- DB9/Rapide* Timeless design in modern times (*showed Porsche how to turn a GT into a 4door!)
- DB10 Modern AM design distilled to it's most basic form
- Lagonda Taraf Again a Masterclass in how to design a timeless, elegant 4door saloon/limosine
Frank makes you think with his choices. My personal favorites is the DB5, 2008-12 DBS and the 2012-18 Vanquish.
The 2014 vanquish would definitely be on my list. My personal favourite 👌
One-77, DB10 and the Facelifted DB9 will be the top 3 for me
Totally agree with the picks, and I was glad to see the one 77 make the cut. I'd add the vanquish redesign to the honorable mentions, I just think it has perfect proportions and I love the integrated spoiler.
The '12 Aston Martin Vanquish in Flugplatz Blue has to be one of my favourite cars of all time. Fell in love with it the first time I saw it.
That V8 Vantage was my absolute favourite car at the time, and I was an avid Ferrarista!
Hi Frank, another great video.. I don't agree with all of your choices for Aston Martin. But I most definitely agree with your first choice the DB4 GT Zagato, probably one of the most beautiful cars ever made, as simple as that. V8 Vantage is one of my least favorite Aston Martin's, I think it's the most crass and vulgar looking much like an iteration of its predecessor the DBS, which look like a fusion of Ford Cortina and Ford Mustang from those times. If based on rear end alone, then the One 77 would win hands down, but the sides seem pretty clumsy and the front end is a bit cumbersome; so my second and third choices would be the Aston Martin DBR1, up there with the most stunning sports race car designs of all time, my third choice would be the DBS Superleggera, no other car company manages to make contemporary sports cars with this kind of understated class, it's exceptional. Thanks once again for another great video!
My top 3 Aston Martin
1. Aston Martin DB5
2. Aston Martin One-77
3. Aston Martin Valkyrie
Great video as always! Can't agree more with your opinions and thoughts 😃
Thanks Hariz! 👍
For me, I think the original Vanquish (2001-2007) is an incredibly beautiful one with proportions just right. I also love the DB5 as that's the classic Bond car. Great video!
It's even hard to make a top 10. I agree with your choices and the reasoning behind it.
How easily you sold me on the beauty of the One-77. I had never seen it before, and at first glance, the scoops beneath each headlight felt odd. But every new image/angle and explanation quickly changed my mind.
Cheers David! 👍
Great video. To answer your question, if you pop the hood, under the bulge is a plenum chamber fed by two huge air inlet pipes so they were getting ram air effect another way, possibly more aerodynamic. They got over 400bhp. FWIW, I’d pick DB4, the DBS V12 from 2008, and the understated Prince of Wales spec 1977 Vantage.
Cheers Land! 👍
Great video! Idea for future content: short takes on more mundane cars. Love to hear your thoughts on cars like the new S-class, Cadillac Lyric, or Lucid Air, for example.
For me it would be DB6mk2, V8 Vantage (same as your pick) and DB9GT. But my dream Aston would either be the recent Victor one-off, or an '80s V8 Vantage body on a DBS Superleggera chassis/powertrain/running gear restomod!!
i like the v12 vantage 2013 and the new db11 v12 the most but this is a great list
Gotta agree on the One-77. It's one of my favorite Car looks. Have no words to describe how beautiful it is.
10:30 had me going for a second haha! Funny edit.
Personally prefer DB4GT to Zagato - not so often we prefer the cheaper cars ! I just find it a bit more taught in its shape, but Frank you are so right that it defined Aston for next 10 years and then gave them the basis for the return to curves with the DB7 onwards. V8 Vantage is so brutal :) Not that I. think its the best looking of the newer cars but the original Vanquish really defined the current line-up and direction, probably even more so than the 0ne-77. Was it Callums legacy (the Vanquish) or Marek's taking the brand forward (One-77) ?? Great Vid
In regards to the V8 vantage, Mr. Chad hairs, I believe that the front grille close off is for drag, tho I could be very wrong and is just for styling. However, the hood scoop is very American, as the vent for the scoop is right up against the windscreen, which takes the turbulent air between the bonnet and the windscreen in that way, rather than from the front, which'd usually be wasted as drag
@Frank Stephenson I really liked this video. It celebrates the greatest successes in design, gives lovely historical perspective on how the form advanced through the ages, and opened my eyes to a greater appreciation for each of these models. Thanks Frank.
Thanks, my pleasure J! 👍
Great video as always Frank! Your approach to car designs helped me with finding the true beauty of cars and a few years back I thought the more aggresive a vehicle is, the better. Turns out I now don't quite like cars I used to love a couple years back (in terms of their designs, they are obviously still great pieces of engineering). I also really really like these Astons you showed us today, but my top 3 are these ones:
Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato
Aston Martin DBS 1st gen
Aston Martin Victor
Keep up the good work, I very much enjoy watching your vids ;)
Thank you Rapid, much appreciated! 👍
Enjoyed this Frank and was so pleased to see the Vantage and 1-77 on the list. The latter is one of the cars that has to be seen in the flesh to truly appreciate (I saw a metallic brown one at a concours event and it was jaw-dropping). I'd love to see your take on William Towns' Lagonda - a challenging design that saved the company! My top three: DB2/4 mark III, V8 Vantage Volante POW and that 1-77 in metallic brown...
@Frank as always awesome video! Regarding your question how and why they closed the grill of the V8 Vantage: they modified the engine with the later Series 5 model and replaced the big carburettors with electrical fuel injection. So they didn‘t need the airflow anymore. By closing both the grill and bonnet bulge they allegedly reduced the air drag by 10% over the standard saloon.
Cheers for that B! 👍
Another great review, Frank. I agree with you that the Aston Martin One-77 is their best lookng model. And as for the bumper, it would be set behind the grille. That's a trend l first noticed on the Chrysler 300c.
However, my favorite Aston Martin is the 77 V8 Vantage. And that's simply because it looks like a classic Mustang. But l never noticed the front grille was closed-off. It seems to be only for aesthetic.
Yeah, now that you mention it, the air flow question in the '77 Vantage is one I'm starting to ask now...
Excellent video as always, I’d like to hear your opinion on the new Opel/Vauxhall Astra
Love these series and really great content and insight into car design…the good, the not so good and all clearly discussed from a position of real practical knowledge 👍🏻
Ignoring Ferrari and Aston Martin brand HyperCars and the heritage models, then my clear favourites are the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Aston Martin DB9 GT Volante. I own these and think both models represent the best and simplest form of design of that whole era for both brands.
Keep the videos coming as they are a great watch and full of interest 👍🏻
According to "Aston Martin and Lagonda" by Chris Harvey and "The Aston Martin V8 1969 - 2000" by Russel Hayes, the Vantage's blanked off front grill was not used for cars in hotter climates, it improved the aerodynamics and a large scoop and air dam were introduced under the bumper for cooling. The effect was "an increased water temperature at idle from 85 to 95 degrees centigrade" - which it was argued was actually more optimal. The rear of the bonnet bump remained open to vent air/heat. The smoother bonnet look was a development of the design work originally done when the V8 Volante was introduced.
Many thanks for that info James, much appreciated! 👍
I always loved Astons. Frank explains that raw feeling of beauty so well and makes me appreciate the design that much more. Thanks Frank ♥️
My pleasure! 👍
I consider the One 77 the most beautiful car in the world. Looking forward to see it in person
PARALLELILELELILELELILELELILISM. 💪
I always had a soft spot for the DB7, personally. It felt like the first of a new generation of truly 'modern' yet timeless Aston designs. I'd imagine you know Ian Callum quite well, Frank?
Spent the day with Ian yesterday Jay, he’s an awesome guy! 👍
@@FrankStephensondesign Were you both in the same department when working on the Escort Cosworth? More importantly, is he jelly that you came up with the biplane rear wing? 😂
'35 Ulster, DBR2, DBR4 Zagato, and One77. Interesting to hear you talk about the V8 and how it brought in a more masculine look. I always thought it was the nadir of AM design, but your point of view gives an interesting new perspective in the evolution of a brands design. Great review.
Cheers Jog! 👍
I’m so lucky that i found this channel, got me started with car design
Mk1 Vanquish S sits just behind the one-77 for me. A big brutal front end with big doe eyes and far more sculpted than later offerings. Ian Callum just needs to leave it alone now…
Good choice. I would also pick those 3. The others like DB9, Vanquish, V8 Vantage, DBS...all look the choice
I have no issue with the three. They’re all beautiful, but my choices would be slightly different. I’d stick with the One-77 as it bring s back the DB4 but in a new, futuristic language. A total statement car that is familiar but dramatically forward-looking at the same time. The other two, I’d have to go first with the DB4 GT over the Zagato (though it’s close, I like the leaner look of the DB4GT. And finally the original DBS/vantage/V8. It yanked AM design into the modern age but was so achingly elegant and clean. I’d choose it over the V8 Vantage here because of the two things you mention (the closed off bulge and grill - WTF? - along with the flip-tail spoiler (too boy-racer for my taste). The cleaner look of the quad-lamp/full-width grill and the trim, smooth tail section are so much more light and balanced than the later V8 designs. And considering it’s the blueprint for all the following generations until the Ford/Jaguar redesign, I’d say the original DBS was a design masterpiece.
great analysis
Wow, yeah totally agree. The only thing I don't like as much about the 177's design is the sweep from down through the front headlight. It looks like the car has a hair in it's eye. A bit uncomfortable. For the rest, stunning.
Love your videos Frank. keep up the awesome content
On the One -77, not minding the fact that the front fenders are one with the front bumper but it also has the rear third of the car as one piece as well. The back piece is cut at the roof and door lines and at the side skirts. While the car has a carbon-fiber monocoque and subframes, the panels are made of aluminum. The fitment of such panels cannot be easy, regardless on how hand-built or modern the craftmanship and manufacturing facilities and/or methods are. Good luck to anyone ever replacing one of those panels, in case of an accident - while that might not be the first thing to worry about if crashing such a piece of art.
You are a man of incomparable taste, Francisco Sir!
Looking at Frank's comments on the Aston Martin lines, the one thought I had was...would love to see him comment on the Mazda Kodo design language especially with the ND MX-5...
I think you nailed it about the choices of my favorite brand of cars. My choices were obviously the DB5 (because 007), the V8 Vantage/DBS/DB9 (but especially the Vantage. I love the V12 Vantage, but that is arguably the worst-looking for the gills in the hood... But the sound is definitely Aston Martin) and, of course, the One-77.
In that last one, I think there is no doubt it was peak Aston Martin design, I don't know how they can follow it up. The Valhalla/Valkyrie are great looking, but not jaw-dropping like the One-77.
My top-3 Aston Martin designs would be the DB4 GT instead of DB4 GT Zagato, followed by the One-77 and the V8 Vantage just like yours (gen 2 DBS and gen 1 Vanquish round off my top-5). I agree with everything you've said about the past and present design of this marque. Also, I'd love for you to make a video on your top-3 Jaguar designs next in this series.
YESS YES YES. Thank you. Thank you Frank for critiquing the One-77 and declaring this absolute beauty as one of the top 3 greatest designed car ever. It is from the beginning of its existence my most beloved car ever.
It's so edgy and so eloquent in it's design language at the same time. My second favorite Aston Martin.
A lot of people hated it, but I really liked the look of the Victor.
The DB9 is just really nostalgic for me, my grandpa had one and I really feel like it's "the" Aston Martin.
I remember seeing them show off the prototype Vulcan, and I loved the look. It's really aggressive, but still subtle.
All three are spot on! 😀👍🇨🇦
My favorite is the 2001-2007 Vanquish. I love these lights with black borders! The early AM would be the DBR1, but I have a sweet spot for sports cars from this era. And finally, the modern one would be V12 Speedster. I don't think I have to add anything but "look at this bonnet"!
Frank is the type of guy you really want to have a beer with. Love your videos ! If I had to pick one Aston it would be the Vanquish 25 Callum. Very posh GT
Thanks Artur but could I ask for a whisky instead?
@@FrankStephensondesign Whisky it is
I'm just curious, what you don't or might not like about the DB9 that it didn't make your list. I think you made some amazing choices but the DB9 would have been on my list for sure.
Db9 introduced AM to me.
The DB9 is awesome too Stay, too many beautiful models in their line-up! 👍
I must also add, the V8 Vantage in the Living Daylights just looks so good, whenever I am visualising an 80s car in my mind if it has the "Living Daylights Factor" then it is up there with that car. So sophisticated and elegant, while brutal in its application. Am I sad it wasn't a Ur-quattro in that sequence, yes, but what we got was so good my imagination can have endless hours of fun dreaming up alternatives
I feel this would be a perfect candidate in a Mad Max type film. Like a rundown yet purposeful hot rod.
Or maybe even a centerpiece in a movie like Drive.
@@CFChristian Yes that does sound good, always thought the (pre apocalypse) Interceptor looked really classy as well as dark
@@benhooper1956 Yeah, you got it!
I almost agree, my three is DB4 Zagato, One 77 and DBS V12 (2008-2012)
Could not agree with you more. Love the V8 vantage
Frank, love your videos. I would love to hear your thoughts on the current Vantage and how it compares to the last generation.
Can't agree with the 177 making the top three, though fully appreciate it's a personal choice. The 17,7 as with the 2001 Vanquish, both look like they have undergone cosmetic surgery and are suffering from botox bloat. The flowing lines are just not as cohesive, as in say the DB9, were the purity of form is just perfect. However, great to hear your opinion as always.
I've never seen the 1977 V8 Vantage before, and surely wouldn't have expected anything like it to come from Aston Martin. Really compelling though. Thanks for the exposure!
👍
Frank, it would be cool to see a series analysing coach-built cars. I'd love to hear your take on the Touring Arese RH95, for example. Am I wrong to think it borrows design cues from Bugatti: a bit of Chiron in the back and Divo in the front?
Frank is my favourite new person. I’m new to this series. Incredible sense of communicating visual cues and design concepts.
Thank you! 👍
4:50 the 1977 V8 Vantage looks so much like a Mustang II
3V; Vanquish I, Vulcan (road version) and Victor