Aston Martin will take part in Monterey Car Week 2026, which will be held in California starting on August 12. At the show, several models will be displayed at events taking place in the Monterey area and neighbouring locations. Among these models will be three DB12 S Coupes designed by Q by Aston Martin and the Vanquish 25 Special Edition, along with current models such as the Valhalla, Vantage S, DB12 S, and DBX S.
The three Aston Martin DB12 S models have been created as tributes to the brand’s racing legacy in the early 1950s, especially the three DB2 racecars that took part in the 1951 races. The models will be presented as part of the celebration of the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
How do the special edition DB12 S models relate to Aston Martin’s racing history?
Three special-edition DB12 S Coupes draw styling inspiration from three Aston Martin DB2 race cars owned by the manufacturer’s racing team in 1951. These race cars were known for their British registration numbers starting with “VMF” and having different grille colours.
These DB2 race cars were made in 1950 for the 24 Hours of Loe Mans and raced in both factory and amateur events in the early 1950s.
Aston Martin has also assigned the same “VMF” labels to the three newly introduced DB12 S models. These models have been labelled VMF 63, VMF 64, and VMF 65, with Rosso Red, Speed Yellow, and Ellwood Blue accents, respectively.
What external modifications distinguish the three DB12 S models?
All three cars have Carbon Black exterior paint along with a variety of bespoke elements and graphics. They include painted grille vane blades, “75” fender roundels, and painted carbon-fibre side blades.
There is also a painted carbon-fibre Aeroblade and DB2-style foil graphic located on the rear of the car. All these modifications are purely aesthetic in nature and pay homage to the styling elements of the original DB2 race cars.
Interior modifications of the three cars include colour-matched stitching in the Aston Martin wing motifs, DB2 outline embroidery on the front seat backs and “75” graphics on the rear seat backs.
Other interior modifications include painted elements on the start/stop rotary switch and paddle shifters, plus bespoke “75” sill plates paying tribute to the DB2.
In which venues would Aston Martin showcase its automobiles during Monterey Car Week?
Aston Martin’s Monterey Car Week schedule starts on Wednesday, 12 August with Astons On The Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea. This event, co-organised by the Aston Martin Owners Club, will display various Aston Martins from past eras on Ocean Avenue and will contribute to research by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
On 14 August, Aston Martin is set to display its cars at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering at Quail Lodge & Golf Club. In this event, classic, collector, performance, and racing vehicles will be displayed.
The company will also use the House of Aston Martin as its venue during Monterey Car Week. This facility, situated near Poppy Hills Golf Course, will be utilised by invited guests, and current and past automobiles will be showcased here.
Which Aston Martin models will be featured at the House of Aston Martin?
The lineup of cars for exhibition is expected to feature the Valhalla, DB12 S, Vantage S, and DBX S. In addition, a DB2 heritage model will be showcased to serve as an accurate historical connection with the three DB12 S “VMF” editions.
Another key car for the exhibition will be the Vanquish 25 Special Edition. This specially built model, created by Q by Aston Martin, celebrates 25 years since the unveiling of the original V12 Vanquish.
Vanquish 25 draws inspiration from the design features of the original V12 Vanquish, including its original launch specification. Additionally, Aston Martin claims that this particular model features handcrafted details.
What about the prices of these special cars?
Aston Martin has not released prices for the three DB12 S “VMF” commission vehicles or provided details about their availability. The Vanquish 25 Special Edition is stated to be manufactured in very limited quantities, but no production numbers or pricing have been released.
