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Aston Martin's By Q special trim and equipment division is launching two new versions of the DB11 Coupe this week, one of which has been made to form the centrepiece of a display at the famous Henley rowing regatta.
Last year there was a Henley Royal Regatta DB11 coupe, and this year it's the Volante convertible's turn. It gets a striking 'White Stone' paint finish, set off by a black convertible roof, forged gloss black diamond turned wheels, dark-finished brake calipers, lots of exterior carbon fibre, dark finishes for the grille and bonnet vents, and smoked tail-lights.
Inside, there is Red Oxide Caithness seats and trim, yet more carbon fibre, a stainless-steel crossed oars motif, and hand painted blue accents, which are "inspired by the rowing club markings found on the blades of rowers' oars."
The Classic Driver edition celebrates the 20th anniversary of the website of the same name, which claims to be "the world's first website for sophisticated car collectors and enthusiasts." Aston has drafted in Classic Driver's lead designer, Benjamin Knapp-Voith, to help create a 20-strong limited run of V8-engined DB11s.
So, the exterior paint finish takes inspiration from both the Classic Driver dark-grey and green colour scheme, and a classic 1960 Aston Martin dark grey. Within the grey paint, there are subtle 'pearl' flakes which, when they catch the sun at the right angle, give a little flash of dark green.
This 'Classic Driver Grey' paint is set off by a full carbon fibre exterior pack, which comes with an Eifel Green lacquer.
Inside, there's matching Eifel Green Caithness leather, with the Classic Driver logo embroidered into the headrests in a contrasting Parliament Green. If you go for the Volante convertible version, the roof is Westminster Green in colour. There are also Classic Driver badges for the sill plates and front wings.
What's the connection, though? Simple - Classic Driver founder Alexander Knapp-Voith was actually an Aston dealer, with a premises in Hamburg, before he became an online entrepreneur. "Having worked closely with Aston Martin, and having kept a special place in my heart for the brand for almost three decades, I am proud to celebrate Classic Driver's anniversary with this limited-edition DB11," says Knapp Voith. "For me, seeing both brands unite for this bespoke car truly feels like the perfect match."