Special Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Pays Tribute To Marque’s Third-Ever Car

Aston Martin has just unveiled a special variant of the Vantage Roadster that pays tribute to the centenary of the automaker’s oldest surviving car, known as ‘A3’.

Aston Martin produced chassis No.3 100 years ago at its Abingdon Road facility in Kensington, London as one of five prototype cars that were built before the start of production. The car is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 11 hp and in 1922, set a record at the Essex Motor Club Kop Hill Climb and hit a top speed of 84.5 mph (136 km/h) at the Brooklands circuit the following year. A3 is owned by Aston Martin Heritage’s Trust and has been restored to its original condition.

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Paying tribute to the car is a new variant of the Vantage Roadster that comes courtesy of Q by Aston Martin. Limited to just 3 units, the car sports a unique grille with a bright aluminum surround and black square mesh similar to A3. Aston Martin has also equipped the Vantage Roadster with its heritage badge.

Elsewhere, the car has been equipped with unique side fender panels fixed with a saddle leather strap taking inspiration from the exposed aluminum bonnet and bonnet strap of A3. A set of bronze brake calipers have also been installed as have 20-inch lightweight forged wheels finished in gloss black.

A handful of changes have also been made in the cabin. For example, there are micro-perforated fluted seats alongside an embroidered heritage Aston Martin script on the rear cubby lid. The Vantage Roadster has also been equipped with a handful of brass dials similar to those of the A3.

“It is only right that this great marque takes the opportunity to celebrate the centenary of its oldest surviving model and I am thrilled that my team, working with the AMHT and Aston Martin HWM, have been able to create this tasteful yet suitably exhilarating tribute to our historic forebear,” director of Q and Special Project Sales at Aston Martin, Simon Lane, said in a statement.