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Aston Martin blacks out new Vanquish Carbon Edition [w/video]

Aston Martin and tuxedos go together like gin and vermouth, but those looking for that extra degree of formality need look no further than the British automaker's Carbon editions. Aston has bestowed the blacked-out treatment on the Vantage, DB9 and DBS, and has now turned its attention to the flagship Vanquish. The new Vanquish Carbon Edition is being offered in coupe or convertible form, in either black or white. Based on the recently upgraded model with its new eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, the Vanquish Carbon Black offers the same 6.0-liter V12 with 568 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, good for a 3.6-second sprint to 60 and a top speed of 201 miles per hour. What sets it apart from other Vanquish models is its special trim, including black window surrounds, blacked-out headlight trim, 10-spoke gloss-black alloys and an interior decked out with herringbone carbon-fiber trim, anodized black speaker grilles for the Bang & Olufsen audio system and available quilted leather upholstery. We're waiting for the full details to be released, so watch this space. In the meantime, you can scope out the microsite and the dramatic video clip for a closer look at Aston's latest flagship in either Darth Vader or Storm Trooper treatment.

Aston Martin barn finds highlight $16M Bonhams sale

Every year, Bonhams holds an auction of classic Aston Martins at the automaker's historic home in Newport Pagnell. But never has it brought in as much as it did this year. The 16th annual Aston Martin Sale, held this past weekend, raked in an impressive GBP10,280,275 in sales – equivalent to nearly $16 million at current exchange rates. Among the highlights of the 50 classic Astons sold were a number of barn finds, including a pair of DB Mark II sports saloons from 1958 that doubled the pre-sale estimates to sell for GBP104,540 and GBP115,740, respectively. Those weren't even the top lots of the day, though. A 1962 DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible that was once owned by legendary thespian Sir Peter Ustinov sold for GBP1,513,500, while a 1966 DB5 Vantage Convertible went for GBP1,524,700 to claim the top spot. "The quintessentially British marque of Aston Martin attracts interest from enthusiasts across the world, a fact demonstrated here again this year as we took bids from all corners of the globe," said Bonhams' Tim Schofield. "The sale attracted a larger and more cosmopolitan attendance than ever before, achieving an excellent result." The auction was complemented by the Spring Concours held by the Aston Martin Owners Club down the road at Woburn Abbey in nearby Bedfordshire, bringing out a record assembly of 350 Astons old and new. The company used the occasion to mark the UK debut of the new Lagonda Taraf as well. BIGGEST BONHAMS SALE TO DATE AT ASTON MARTIN WORKS - 16th annual Aston Martin Sale sees total transactions top GBP10m - Sir Peter Ustinov-owned DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible nets GBP1.5m - More than 50 sports cars and 170 items of automobilia change hands 11 May 2015, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire: In its 60th anniversary year Aston Martin Works played host to another hugely busy Bonhams Aston Martin Sale on Saturday – with GBP10.3m worth of rare and prized sports cars changing hands. The historic home of the great British luxury brand was the venue for the 16th annual Bonhams Aston Martin Sale, which saw around 50 classic Aston Martins sold. The annual sale is recognised as a globally-significant occasion for Aston Martin collectors and enthusiasts around the world. The 2015 event was the biggest to date, setting a sales total of GBP10,280,275 and witnessing a fascinating and diverse collection of Aston Martin-related automobilia go under the hammer in several hours of exciting and highly-charged bidding.

James Bond's Goldfinger Aston Martin still missing after 17 years

James Bond is inextricably linked with British motoring, especially Aston Martin, but the spy with a license to kill is missing one of his most famous cars. The original DB5 packed with gadgets for the movie Goldfinger has been lost for the last 17 years with no leads as to its whereabouts. This year is the 50th anniversary of the original release of Goldfinger – the third film that came out in the James Bond series. The movie was a smashing success in its day and forged the connection between the super spy and Aston Martin. After all, the car was every little boy's dream with machine guns in the front fenders, tire cutters in the wheels, an ejector seat and other amazing gadgets. After it's life on the big screen, the original gadget car eventually ended up in Boca Raton, FL, at least until 1997. That's when a real-life Auric Goldfinger heisted the DB5, and it hasn't been seen since. A recent report from WPTV from West Palm Beach, FL, talked to people from the area familiar with the caper and its status today. Assuming the car is still intact, Bond's Aston Martin would likely be worth several million dollars on the open market these days. For example, a DB5 that appeared in Goldfinger and Thunderball sold in 2010 at auction for $4.6 million. Check out the video for the full story on this long lost movie star.