Another year goes by. No sign of an Aston V12 Roadster, no announcements from Gaydon, no news, no spy shots, no rumors even.

But then something special appeared in my dealer’s showroom: a used (ex press car) V8 Vantage S Roadster. As usual with press cars, it was beautifully spec’d and full option: Stratus White with a dark-blue rag top and a dark blue / piano black interior, blue stitching, B&O system, the works…

Here’s three original press photos of my car’s twin sister (the RHD version):
(more pics at the Aston Martin site)

I had already done a test drive with a Vantage S earlier, so I knew what a huge step forward it was compared to a regular V8 Vantage. And of course, the looks of a Vantage S Roadster are very close to my dream car: the illusive V12 Vantage Roadster. The only things missing are the carbon fiber vents in the bonnet.

To make a long story short, I traded in my tungsten silver V8 Roadster for this white V8 S Roadster. Today, I still own and enjoy this car. It looks great, drives great and it makes a lovely noise, especially when driving it with the top down (which is the only way we drive it).

Now imagine this car with a roaring V12 under the bonnet…