It has been 100 years since chassis number 3, now known as the A3, rolled out of the first Aston Martin factory on Abingdon Road in Kensington, London. It was the third car ever produced by Aston Martin.
To celebrate the centenary of the A3, the HWM Aston Martin dealer in Walton on Thames, Surrey, in partnership with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust & Museum (AMHT), has commissioned three modern cars called the A3 Vantage Roadsters, which are now for sale .
The cost of each of these limited edition roadsters has not been published, and they are all likely to be sold in England.
Aston Martin A3 Vantage Roadster
Aston Martin A3 Vantage Roadster
Aston Martin A3 Vantage Roadster
Aston Martin A3 Vantage Roadster
The original A3
The car, now known as the A3, was originally driven by company co-founder Lionel Martin and was acquired by the AMHT in 2002. It is powered by a 1.5 liter 4 cylinder side valve engine with 11 horsepower. It set several records, including a run of 84.5 mph in 1923 on the Brooklands Circuit. The A3 recently underwent a restoration by Ecurie Bertelli, a renowned pre-war Aston Martin specialist, to bring it as close as possible to its original factory condition.
Aston Martin A3 Vantage Roadster
A3 Vantage Roadster
Each of the three new A3 Vantage Roadsters has a black, square grille insert and light aluminum trim with a heritage emblem inspired by the original A3 model. Another allusion to the original are the gill inserts in the front fenders. They have exposed aluminum panels that are hand polished by Bertelli, engraved with “NO_3” and fitted with solid saddle leather straps. Unique 20-inch lightweight forged aluminum wheels, which are painted in glossy black and hide the bronze brake calipers, were developed for these cars.
The interior of the A3 Vantage Roadster features perforated seats with the traditional Aston Martin lettering embroidered on the center console lid. The interior in Obsidian Black contrasts with brass panels and accents and seams in maroon.
Aston Martin A3 Vantage Roadster
Aston Martin A3 Vantage Roadster
Aston Martin A3 Vantage Roadster
The A3 Vantage Roadster is powered by the standard Mercedes-AMG biturbo 4.0-liter V-8 of the Vantage Roadster with 503 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque, which is assisted by an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The A3 Vantage Roadster will be unveiled to the public for the first time on Saturday June 26th at the Dallas Burston Polo Club in Southam, Warwickshire. An exhibition of pre-war Aston Martin and Lagonda models, D2 cars from the Feltham era and DB4, DB5, DB6, DBS models will also be on display, as will V-8 vehicles from 1969-2000, the DB7, the V12 Vanquish, One-77 and Vulcan.
