Steve Cropley

MY WEEK IN CARS

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SUNDAY

Until this week, I never had a burning desire to own an Aston Martin. Great cars, of course, and I've enjoyed some long-termers (a DB7 and a V8 Vantage) over the years, but other desires have intervened. However, today's Aston event at Gaydon – held in the grounds of the British Motor Museum, next to the firm's HQ – gave me a fresh perception of Aston excellence and sometime value. The owners' club was celebrating its 90th birthday, plus 75 years of Vantage name use. Former CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, the first Gaydon boss, was on hand in a Cygnet amusingly registered DR11 BEZ and made a genial speech.

It's the cheaper Aston editions that grab my attention. I felt the familiar pit-of-stomach flutter over two relatively modern types on offer at £30k to £45k: the 2006-ish 380bhp 4.3-litre V8 Vantage coupé, frequently passed over by seekers of later 4.7-litre cars (10% more powerful); and the 2010-ish Rapide, an extra-long, four-door DB9 with similar poke and proportions. However, our garage is full, so I need to calm down.

TUESDAY