The Aston Martin Vector is a V12 supercar with manual transmission and decked out in wood that you will never see again

The Aston Martin The Victor, a one-off private car that I just discovered from British friends on social media, may be the coolest car to be launched in 2020. I mean, come on: weird multi-era design, cashmere top lining, V12. Manual transmission ?!

The more you look, the more dissonance. love it. I mean me really Love her. It’s delightfully different!

Some British publications and show-goers managed to see Victor in person this week at The meeting place of elegance at Hampton Court Palace (As people don’t seem to be very concerned about Coronavirus based on social media pictures) but an Aston Martin spokesperson told me there are no plans to release an official press release about Victor because the owner wants to keep the car low-key. “

Is not clear very Low-key or the car wouldn’t have gone out on a show, but I have to admit it’s more fun to be surprised by something like this than spending weeks dissecting teasers.

I guess AM wasn’t too worried about inflating it anyway, if she was only making one, I guess it sold out! I asked what the mysterious customer had paid for the privilege of being the only person to own the most powerful handcrafted supercar in Aston, but company employees refused to participate.

Anyway, whoever spent the mints on this elegant beast bought more than just bragging rights. The car is unique, and difficult to tow all the time. A document sent to me by an Aston rep describes Victor as “inspired by the Aston Martin V8 Vantage of the 1970s and 1980s.” More specifically: “… the iconic 1970’s, 1980’s and 1970’s DBS V8 Vantage developed for racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as RHAM / 1.”

Here’s what they talk about:

Yes, I was confused about how to use the ‘1970s and 1980s’ reactions to describe the same car, but I got it after looking at the photo. It’s like, ‘It was designed in the’ 70s, and it was modified in the ’80s.

It’s really cool how this aesthetic has been transformed into a brand new look, and the oily bits (British are allowed when discussing a custom Aston Martin) are throwing away the coolest parts in the trash ever:

• The One-77’s naturally aspirated 7.3-liter V12, tuned by Cosworth to 836 bhp and 599 lb-ft of torque.
• Graziano 6-speed manual transmission (UK division of Dana Axle Authority) with a “motorsports clutch” that would have probably cost more to replace than I’ve spent on maintaining the car in my life so far.
• 380mm front, 360mm rear, Brembo CMM-R carbon ceramic brakes
• Interior springs and dampers are track-only Aston Martin Vulcan.
• It was worked on by the team to resurrect the Valkyrie supercar.
• Finished in “Pentland Green” and satin carbon fiber, with a Forest Green interior stitched with premium Conker Bridge of Weir leather that uses cashmere on the roof liner. Also: The dashboard in solid walnut (!) Is a crown-shaped cut, whatever that means, and The shift knob matches the wood.

I don’t usually get so excited about elite supercars that I would never see in leather but I have to say, this thing looks amazing. The design is borderline weird, but I dig it. And the high-performance / luxury engagements came really well. At least based on what we can see in these photos.

Will the world see this car again or what? In case we don’t, I’ll just shed the official photo collection that I got. Take your time with those, there’s a lot going on.