Detroit Auto Show, January 1998. The first industry showcase of the year, peddling automotive optimism even while attendees’ bodies are still processing their New Year hangovers. Ford’s giant presentation, in the theatrical Cobo Arena, includes a slot for its prestigious Premium Automotive Group brands: Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Aston Martin and, er, Lincoln.
It’s Aston Martin’s turn, and Ford president Jac Nasser proudly reveals exactly what Aston-watchers have been fervently hoping he would reveal: the car that might move Aston Martin on from the V-car dinosaurs and the slightly crossbred DB7 to a pure-Aston future of insanely desirable machines of extraordinary beauty. Please meet, he offers, Project Vantage…
And there it is, in a rich metallic green, the future made real if only the company can build a real one…