Reviving My Regret: The Aston Martin Comeback

InfoThis is a summary of the following YouTube video:

I Bought Back And Rebuilt The Aston Martin I NEVER Should Have Sold

Tavarish

Nov 20, 2024

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Autos & Vehicles

Reacquired and restored beloved Aston Martin

  1. The narrator, Tavarish, has a long-standing passion for cars, particularly exotic sports cars, and has been involved in driving, repairing, and modifying them despite financial constraints.
  2. Tavarish's dream car was the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, which he aspired to own since 2010, as evidenced by a whiteboard goal set in his parents' house.
  3. In 2012, Tavarish achieved his dream by purchasing a 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage for $36,000, a significant investment that he believed was worthwhile for his YouTube channel's growth.
  4. The car was sold to a friend to fund Tavarish's first major rebuild project, but he later found the same car for sale on AutoTempest and decided to buy it back.
  5. Upon reacquiring the car, Tavarish discovered it had not depreciated in value over the years, having been sold multiple times for the same price of $36,000.
  6. The car, although in need of some repairs like brake work and having a wrap that Tavarish dislikes, holds sentimental value and is a significant part of his automotive journey.
  7. Tavarish shares insights about the car's features, such as the Aston Martin key being a modified Volvo key fob, and expresses excitement about restoring and driving it again.

Rebuilding a cherished Aston Martin

  1. The narrator expresses deep emotional attachment to their first exotic car, an Aston Martin, which marked a significant turning point in their life. Despite not being the fastest, it provided a unique experience every time they drove it.
  2. The narrator had to sell the Aston Martin to purchase a Gallardo, a decision that was difficult and memorable. They reflect on the advice they received about the purchase, acknowledging the mixed feelings about the decision.
  3. The narrator discusses the importance of using AutoTempest, a platform that aggregates car listings, to understand the market for Aston Martin Vantages. This tool helped them make informed decisions about pricing and negotiations.
  4. The narrator embarks on a 6-hour drive in their high-mileage Aston Martin, noting both the nostalgic joy and the practical issues, such as a malfunctioning hood sensor causing the windshield wipers to fail.
  5. Despite the challenges, including rain and a leaky interior, the narrator appreciates the car's sound system and the overall driving experience, which rekindles their fond memories of the vehicle.
  6. Upon returning home, the narrator decides to restore the Aston Martin to its original specifications, a project that signifies their commitment to preserving the car's sentimental value.
  7. The narrator reflects on their journey from working in a small garage to now having a dedicated shop, highlighting personal growth and the evolution of their passion for cars.

Rebuilding an Aston Martin is challenging

  1. The car's current appearance is deceiving; it looks fine on camera but has underlying issues, particularly with its old vinyl wrap, which has not aged well and affects the car's texture compared to paint.
  2. The car features a 4.3L V8 engine, a dry sump derivative of the Jaguar AJV8, handbuilt in England. The engine's placement makes it a front to mid-engine car, similar to a Ferrari.
  3. Removing the vinyl wrap is a priority, as it has been on the car for too long, making it difficult to remove. The wrap was applied meticulously, requiring body panels to be removed to tuck the edges, complicating the removal process.
  4. The removal process, initially thought to be simple, turned into a multi-day task involving friends, heat guns, and a blowtorch to strip the car down to its original paint.
  5. The challenges of vinyl wraps include the potential for glue residue, the risk of damaging the paint, and the need for extensive cleaning and possible repainting if the paint is damaged during removal.
  6. The team realizes the extensive work required on the Aston Martin, acknowledging the complexity and time-consuming nature of the restoration process.

Rebuilding Aston Martin with challenges

  1. The video begins with a discussion about the challenges of working in a busy environment, highlighting the noise and the need for personal space when working on cars. The speaker appreciates the sponsor, Raycon, for providing earbuds that help in such situations.
  2. Raycon's everyday earbuds are introduced, featuring active noise cancellation, a 32-hour battery life, quick charge capability, ergonomic design, multi-point connectivity, awareness mode, and IP66 weatherproof and sweat resistance. The speaker personally endorses the noise-cancelling feature for aiding sleep.
  3. The process of removing the car's wrap is described, starting with the removal of the last pieces of wrap and dealing with the glue residue left on the car. A steam machine and Gtechniq's glue remover are used to clean the car, with a plastic blade employed to avoid further damage.
  4. During the wrap removal, paint damage is discovered, including clear coat peeling. This is attributed to the quick removal process, which can sometimes damage the paint underneath.
  5. Jack, a team member, is tasked with taking apart a door to address the paint damage. The speaker, who is not a professional painter, plans to sand the damaged area carefully to avoid reaching the base coat, aiming for a 'smoothish' finish.

Aston Martin restoration involves detailed repairs

  1. The speaker discusses the issue of white spots on the car's surface, which can lead to delamination of the clear coat. They plan to sand the surface smoothly and check for any flaking before applying a homemade clear coat repair.
  2. Aston Martin's build quality is praised, though the speaker notes the complexity of accessing certain parts due to British engineering, making repairs challenging.
  3. The importance of brakes on a sports car like Aston Martin is highlighted, especially due to the car's history of track use, which has led to worn-out brake rotors and pads.
  4. The speaker describes the process of replacing the brake system, including removing pins and bolts, cleaning the hub, and installing new rotors and pads, emphasizing the need for precision and adherence to factory specifications.
  5. An attempt to sand only the clear coat resulted in sanding through to the base coat, affecting the car's color. This necessitates further work, including taking parts to a paint shop for polishing and repainting.

DIY paint and repair techniques for cars

  1. The process begins with matching the paint color as closely as possible to the original. This involves removing a small painted piece, like a fuel door, to ensure an accurate match. The panel is polished to remove any haze or discoloration.
  2. At the paint shop, the color is compared against swatches to ensure the correct shade. A calibrated scale and computer are used to mix the paint accurately, ensuring consistency throughout the mixture.
  3. Instead of using a traditional paint booth, a giant inflatable spray booth is used. This DIY method is cost-effective and saves time, especially when painting a single panel rather than the entire car.
  4. The car is masked to prevent unwanted paint coverage, and the panel is cleaned of dust. The paint is applied using a high volume low pressure (HVLP) spray gun in thin, even coats.
  5. After painting, the next step is to wait for the paint to dry. Meanwhile, attention is turned to fixing a faulty hood switch that has been causing noise issues.
  6. The hood switch problem involves a micro switch that signals whether the hood is open or closed. Over time, dirt and heat can cause the contact to become dirty, leading to false signals.
  7. Attempts to clean or replace the hood switch are complicated by difficult-to-reach electrical connections and manual release cables, requiring careful handling and possibly specialized tools.

Rebuilding Aston Martin rekindles personal memories

  1. The narrator attempts to fix a switch in the car by cleaning and testing the system before reassembling it. If unsuccessful, they plan to manually connect the wires as a workaround.
  2. After resolving the warning light issue, the narrator focuses on restoring the car's appearance by cleaning and detailing it, including using a foam cannon and polishing the headlights.
  3. The car undergoes a thorough cleaning process, including pressure washing, foam washing, and polishing, resulting in a significant transformation of its appearance.
  4. The narrator expresses immense satisfaction with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, praising its performance, comfort, and value compared to other sports cars like the Audi R8 and Ferrari 360.
  5. The car holds sentimental value for the narrator, as it was involved in a memorable road trip with their father, during which they shared meaningful conversations about their family's immigrant background.
  6. The narrator reflects on their family's journey from the Soviet Union to the United States, highlighting the sacrifices made by their parents to provide a better life.

Rebuilding Aston Martin with personal significance

  1. The narrator shares a personal story about reconnecting with his father, learning about family history, and feeling a sense of pride and success in life. This connection is deeply meaningful and adds emotional value to his experiences.
  2. The narrator expresses a desire to keep a particular car, an Aston Martin, for sentimental reasons, hoping to share future experiences with his daughter, such as a road trip, symbolizing continuity and family bonding.
  3. Acknowledgment is given to AutoTempest, a long-time sponsor and supporter of the narrator's projects, highlighting the importance of partnerships and community support in achieving personal and professional goals.
  4. The narrator thanks various individuals, including Jack, Rex, Tommy, Doug DeMuro, and Gregson from Shifting Lanes, for their contributions to the car build, emphasizing the collaborative effort involved in the project.
  5. Reflecting on his journey, the narrator appreciates the support from his audience, acknowledging the transformative impact of his YouTube career on his life, which has allowed him to share his car adventures globally.
  6. The narrator embarks on a shakedown run with the rebuilt car, noting its excellent performance and appearance, and heads to meet the Aston Martin F1 Tech Team for further insights and improvements.
  7. The Aston Martin F1 Tech Team, including members Jordan, Harry, Matt, and Mikey, are introduced as experts in the field, tasked with evaluating the narrator's Aston Martin V8 Vantage, a car of personal significance as his first exotic vehicle.
  8. The team discusses the design and appeal of the 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, recognizing its unique style and significance in the narrator's journey, and offering potential enhancements for the future.

Enhancing Aston Martin with V12 and manual

  1. The discussion revolves around enhancing an Aston Martin car, emphasizing its classic design and connection to James Bond, which adds to its appeal.
  2. Suggestions for improvement include maintaining a naturally aspirated engine, specifically a V8, which is praised for its performance and history in racing, particularly in America in 2008.
  3. Additional modifications proposed are aerodynamic enhancements such as rear spoilers and front splitters, as well as adjustments to the oil scavenging system.
  4. A V12 engine swap is considered, highlighting the potential for increased power and performance, aligning with the car's racing heritage.
  5. The preferred color for the car is British Racing Green, a traditional and iconic choice for British sports cars.
  6. The transmission should be manual, as it offers a more engaging driving experience, which is preferred by enthusiasts.
  7. The conversation humorously notes the frequent presence of Mustangs, suggesting a plan to modify the car and joking about using earplugs due to noise.
  8. There is a light-hearted mention of possibly wrapping the car instead of painting it, indicating a preference for wraps by someone named Freddy.