Luxury automakers cater to their clientele
In 1998, Aston Martin offered customers the most extreme iteration of its Vantage sports car, calling it the V-8 Vantage V600. Fewer than 100 of the supercharged sports cars were built, each boasting 600 horsepower.
Now, an unnamed customer has asked the British automaker for the ultracool cars to be brought back and Aston Martin is agreeing - in a roundabout way. The automaker has vowed to build a limited run of new and revamped V-12 Vantage V600s, inspired and influenced by the original model.
Only fourteen will be created, each by hand: seven coupes and seven roadsters. They will be built using the underpinnings of previous-generation Vantages, but labeled as 2018 models.
Underhood, they'll get an upgraded 6-liter, naturally aspirated V-12 engine, capable of 600 horsepower. A seven-speed manual is the only transmission available.
The exterior bodywork will get modified, including a re-imagined side strake, a new bulging hood and a unique darkened grille for increased airflow. Around back will be an all-new carbon fiber diffuser while at each corner, bespoke, center-lock, forged and machined aluminum wheels will be installed.
Inside the cabin you'll find tons of carbon fiber and dark anodized aluminum. The seats will get an all new perforation pattern. The shifter will be machined from a solid piece of anodized aluminum and a carbon fiber armrest will be installed, too. The model will be available on request, with no word on pricing. Deliveries will take place later this year.
Classic Mercedes parts
One of the most iconic Mercedes-Benz models is the classic 300 SL "Gullwing" coupe, built from 1954 to 1957. Now, owners will have an easier time keeping their rare rides looking their best.
The brand's Classic Division is reproducing key body parts in factory quality and making them available from any Mercedes-Benz sales partner. For now, it's only body parts like front and rear panels, but other components are in the works.
The body panels are made out of metal using 3-D data sourced from original bodies and then worked into their final shape by hand using wooden mallets. Only 1,400 300 SL Gullwings were made, with about 80 percent shipped over for sale in the United States.
2017 Lamborghini Centenario recall
Lamborghini has issued a recall for its 2017 Centenario supercar. However, if you're one of the lucky few that owns one, take heart; it's simply for a new sticker.
The certification label lists an incorrect weight limit that could lead to the car being overloaded, making for unsafe driving conditions. Only 40 (20 coupes and 20 roadsters) were built but only 11 are affected by the recall.
The 700-horsepower Centenario was built to celebrate Lamborghini's founder's 100th birthday and each cost around $2-million dollars when new.
• Share your car's story with Matt at auto@dailyherald.com.