Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Aero SS and Aston Martin V8

That's not quite right. Dave Richards is CEO (or some such other title) but the company was bought by a group of Kuwaiti businessmen.

As for current Astons, the DB9 was lovely when it first hit the streets but has lost some appeal since then, I personally don't like the Rapide at all, it just doesn't look quite right, but I think the V8 has the best, tightest look (I like the hunched muscular look - in my cars not my women!! ) and I was very very close to buying a Roadster very recently.

However like all modern AM's and most modern cars in this price bracket, it just wasn't ........ special enough? For the record I also rejected the R8 V10, the Gran Cabrio and a coupe of 911 iterations for various reasons. I think we're very spoilt!

Looking at my post and then Neil's just goes to show how variety is the spice of life

I think that Dave Richards is Chairman Andy and Ulrich Bez is MD/CEO.

There you go.

Bit weird calling himself Chairman Andy though

I always thought you were Chairman Andy of the bad boys?

Actually reminds me of a funny true story concerning two of my very best friends. One, Andy, had a fledgling yet burgeoning property company and asked the other, Mark, a high flying sales type, to join him. Their individual roles were pretty clear as Andy was a chartered accountant and the other partner was an ex Berkley Homes Building Director.

So Mark asked Andy what his title would be? "whatever you want" was the reply. On the day he was to start, there were his business cards ready and waiting on his desk printed with his preferred title "ABC Developments Ltd - SUPREME COMMANDER"

Regrettably for Mark, as the company is still going 25+ years later and extremely successful, he decided to forego the Supreme Commander role and stay with DHL his, at the time, employers who offerrred him a new role at an enhanced salary

Good to re visit this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkeaRYrXwV8

Just back to Aston - the Kuwaitis sold out 40% of their interest late last year to inject some more cash into the business. The buyers were the Italian group behind the rejuvenation and sale of Ducati to Audi. I think you can expect to see Aston on a trajectory for sale to a major car manufacturer in the next 3-5 years.

Went to check out the new Rapide S yesterday, its hugely impressive, look forward to driving one soon..

I looked at the Rapide when I was at HWM looking at the Coup last week. For a 4 seater it looks like a lot better job than a Panamera. Rear seats were pretty tiny.

I am finding the new Virage and RapideS are beginning to try to hard on the styling front. I preferred the DB9 when it first came out. Its hard to improve on such a nice design.

It was funny looking along the rows of Astons and seeing the Coupe at the end. It looked like a James Bond convention and Blowfeld had parked at the rear !

Rear seats on the Rapide aren't that bad. Mrs_t can sit behind me comfortably and I'm 6'2". I can sit behind my driving position, but I wouldn't want to drive to the south of France that way though.

For kids its perfect, and there is a good view forward which I think is cool.

Styling wise the S isn't as pretty as the previous version, but technically it is a significant advance. A 550bhp v12 is hard to argue with!