ASTON MARTIN MEMORIES
Recent articles and references to Aston Martin in CAR rekindled an old love affair. Back in 1960, I fell head over heels in love with Aston Martin cars. I even wrote to the factory expressing my deep admiration and respect for its product. Some kind soul responded to my letter and sent me photographs of a DB4, a DBR 1/300 and a Lagonda Rapide. I framed the photos and they hung in my bedroom for many years.
When the DB5 was launched in South Africa (circa 1965), I had a friend working at Sidney Clow & Co, agents for Aston Martin, and he organised an invitation for me to attend the “Pink Champagne” launch at the company’s headquarters in Eloff Street, Johannesburg. It was a glittering affair and the star of the show shone brightly.
Somehow my pal’s enthusiasm for the product resulted in Sidney Clow allowing him to drive the car the following day for the launch in Pretoria. He asked me to go with him and I did not hesitate to put in a day’s leave to do so.
Pretoria is just 60 km from Johannesburg but we managed to log up about 90 or 100 km on the car’s odometer to get there. We did not partake of the bubbly that night as we had to drive home after the function.
Well, that was the only time I have had the thrill of riding in an Aston but I still think it is one of the most beautiful and desirable cars ever
