Aston Martin’s celebration of the centennial of the A3, its oldest vehicle still in existence, includes a modern-day tribute to that vehicle, the first of three such cars to be produced.
Q by Aston Martin worked with British Aston Martin dealership HWM, the longest running such seller of Aston Martin’s, on the commission of the A3 tribute, which is being dubbed the Vantage Roadster.
“It is 100 years since chassis No.3, now commonly known as ‘A3,’ rolled gracefully out of the marque’s then production facility at Abingdon Road in Kensington, London,” Aston Martin said in its announcement.
“The third of five Aston Martin prototype cars constructed before series production started, the car was used extensively by co-founder of the business Lionel Martin.
“Fitted with a 1.5 liter, 11-horsepower four-cylinder side-valve engine, ‘A3’ was often seen with a streamlined racing body and in its heyday took several light-car speed records, including first place at the Essex Motor Club Kop Hill Climb in 1922, as well as lapping the famous Brooklands circuit at 84.5 mph in 1923.
“One hundred years on from its construction, ‘A3’ is the pride of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust’s collection, which acquired it courtesy of a generous donation at an auction in 2002. After its acquisition by the Trust, ‘A3’ was restored to be as close as possible to its original factory specification by Ecurie Bertelli, the pre-war Aston Martin specialist.”
The Vantage Roadster/A3 tribute will be shown in public for the first time June 26 at a centenary celebration organized by Aston Martin Heritage and the Aston Martin Owners’ Club at the Dallas Burston Polo Club in Southam, Warwickshire.
The event also will feature the ‘A3’ and “a number of hugely rare and highly prized Aston Martin models will be on show in a carefully curated timeline leading visitors on a guided tour through the fascinating era-themed car parks.”
The Vantage Roadster tribute features a revised grille, heritage badges, bronze-colored trim, including brake calipers, and several interior features specially cast from brass.
