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Show The Park Record Wed/Thur/Frt June 1 - 3, 2005 Wed/Thur/Fri. June 1 - 3, 2005 F !KE Xi KE S A S T0 H WflRTIH W ith eye-popping body work and a Ihroaty growl produced by a doubleovcrhead-cam inline six-cylinder engine, the DB4 and its DBS sibling are considered the quintessential Aston Martins. During their seven-year production run (with a mere 2,406 examples built), these upscale sports cars became more than just performance benchmarks. They were equally coveted for their shcctmctal artistry. I Tom any angle, they continue to evoke grace, style, elegance and power. Arriving at this lofty summit, though, would not be an easy journey. Just what was David Brown thinking when he purchased the ail- ._ ... „ . _.. ing Aston Martin company back in - • 1947? On the surface, this successful manufacturer of tractors and transmissions was buying nothing but trouble. Founded in I914 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford (the Aston part of the name originated from the British Aston Clinton hillclimb event), the company had entered bankruptcy twice before and seemed a poor prospect for any entrepreneur However, Brown had plans to make a success of his new acquisition. Having also purchased the Lagonda automobile company, his idea was to take that marque's powerful twin-cam six-cylinder motor designed by W.O. Bentley (yes, that Bentley) and use it to propel much lighter (and thus quicker and faster) Astons. GUMK itfKEEIBASE COWWUKICATIOKS Brown's initial effort, dubbed the DBl and launched in I948, featured somewhat dated styling and was made in very limited numbers. The first real test of the Lagonda powerplanl came in 1950 with the arrival of the DB2. Skinned in aluminum over a tubular frame, the racy fastback (a few convertibles were also constructed) could easily top 100 ni.p.h. Equally important was the car's luxurious appointments, including seats finished in the finest of Connolly leather hides and deep-pile wool carpets. This heady combination of speed and opulence would become the hallmark for all future Aston Martins. During the mid-1950s, Brown introduced the DB2/4, essentially a revised DB2 with four-place seating and a stronger engine. These became popular gentlemen's tourers, promoted through a successful racing program that saw both DB2s and DB3s compete in various British and European events including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans staged even year in the French countryside. An extensively reworked version of W.O. Bentley's six-cylinder design would form the basis of the DB2/4's replacement in 1958. Brand new from the tires up, the DB4 moved straight into that realm of exotic sports cars already occupied by the likes of Ferrari and Maserati. It even featured a body sculpted by Carrozzeria Touring of Italy. To reinforce its Anglo/Italian breeding, DB4s had the word DB4/DB5 Supericggera. (Super light-weight) attached to their hoods. Under the hand-formed aluminum bonnet resided a 3.7-liter DOHC16 that put out an impressive 240 horsepower, enough to move (he 2,900-pound beauty from zero to 60 m.p.h. in about ciahl seconds. Ilic company also bragged that a bone-slock US SI0,000 DB4 would" travel from zero to 100 m.p.h. and back to zero in a mere 27 seconds and reach a top speed of 140 m.p.h.,-" feats that served to enhance its supcrcar status. Although equipped with great looks and plenty of horsepower, the DB4 was also blessed with an advanced double-wishbone front suspension and coil springs at all four comers. Disc brakes front and rear, were also part of the package. _ ....,„..__^._..._..., Inside, the leather-covered cabin contained plenty of dials and gauges that monitored every function imaginable. On the downside, headroom was at a premium, the bucket seats were too upright for comfort and the rear bench was barely child-sized. A year after its introduction in 1959, Aston Martin created the DB4GT, basically a short-whcclbase DB4 with triple SI" carburc- , tors that increased horsepower to 266. Of the 100 GTs nudu during the next two years, 25 \wrc spc- dally produced (and Italian styled) Zagato coupes that were a hit on-', the race track as well i\\ mi the street. Also in 1959, Aston Martin ; would achieve its first and only World Sport* Car Championship, • including victory at I.e Mans. • Credit for the company's racing success that year was due to the brilliance of the legendary Stirling Moss who earned most of the wins. The DB4 gave way to the DB5 in 1963. Ilic replacement car had similar looks, but its larger 4.0lilerDOHC straight-six could be ordered in either 282or 325-horscpowcr strengths. A live-speed manual transmission or three-speed automatic could also be specified. The DBfTs greatest fame came from its feature role , as James Bond's spy ndc in the silver-screen, flick ' Goldfinger. With its assortment of built-in weaponry1 and passenger-side cjcctoi seal, this particular Aston • Martin remains unforgettable with 007 fans around the world. ! The DB-numbcrcd scries would continue until 1971 ', when the last DB6 left the shop floor. By that time, Aston Martin was once again in financial difficulties., that would result in David Brown selling his company ; to an investment group for the equivalent of about $200 (yes, two hundred). In 1987 the lord Motor Company assumed ownership, thus keeping the name - and its . power-with-prestige pedigree -and alive to this day. > * * • WELCOME to International AutoCross, a puzzle dedicated to the automobile enthusiast! AutoCross will test your I NT E8 NAT I knowledge of cars, brand names and auto-related people from all over the world. Good luck! igious Acura «HWSWSr*^*r-v. ••- - ; 2005 Acura RL 1. 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State • Murray, UT 800-292-4595 www.mikehaleacura.com ACROSS 1. Alignment adjustment 3. ak.aoversteer 5. Maker uses lion as symbol 8, F1 pilot Schumacher 11. American Graffiti Chevy driver Ron 13. Downdraft cart) maker 14. 15. 18. 21. After the Cherokee Engine slang Avantl designer Brake type 22. Shaving removes this from door 24. Steering or gear 25. Named for Enzo's son 27. Subaru rally car COPYRIGHT WHEELBASE 28. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 39. Achieva replacement Pennsylvania race track Automotive auction site 'Cuda model Anti-theft device Maserati model or race locale Fender appendage Malcolm's folly 41. 44. 45. 48. 47. 48. 49. 51. Manual-transmission plate Suburban, only smaller 'd' in cd measurement Miltenia maker Shift danger zone New Beetle dash item Better than manifolds Continuously transmission COMMUNICATIONS Photo „ Performance Focus Movie or Toyota Honda engine feature Black or white ANSWERS n R II II II ,V I!) 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