Bond Cars at SF Auto Show

Gebruder Gumbold

Cheers Everyone,
I have organized a lovely little display of 9 Heritage Astons at the San Francisco Auto Show, including a DB Mark III, the car from the book "Goldfinger," a Silver (not Birch...) DB5, my DBS from OHMSS, and a Vanquish.
Pics are from Day #1 of setup, which took over 9 hours from laying carpet, to slugging chrome stanchions, to prepping cars, moving cars, pushing cars, repositioning cars, then pushing cars again to get another one in the space!
Banners were hung, bunting was down, and the public was let in promptly at 6PM for the opening of a 10 day show.
We were immediately mobbed, and Amanda, the remaining owners, and myself gladly answered questions and handled the press.
I wore my Gumbold's Safe Lazenby suit, and other owners were in evening wear and period costume.
More photos to follow...enjoy...
Tom

Sir Miles

Wow - looks like you had a great time -{

Thunderpussy

Congratulations {[]

Gebruder Gumbold

Thanks friends,
I just worked the show for about 5 hours tonight and I cannot tell you how wonderful the reception by the general public was!
Generally, at concours events, my car is mobbed, and it was no different tonight, as people, tired of looking at the newest Prius or Tesla models, flocked to the Heritage display.
I must say that the right side of the booth was the most popular, those being the DB section, with the older cars.
All night I heard "James Bond Car!"
Interesting anecdote, I believe that I may have made the difference in a 13 year old boy's life, as he was quietly looking on behind the ropes, as I was presenting to an interested group of Silicon Valley Techies- you know, they type that drives up the cost of housing, then goes bust and leaves town...
Well, when I spotted this youngster, I asked him if he was interested in James Bond, or Astons. He said an enthusiastic YES to both, and before long, he was sitting in my DBS, with a smile as wide as the Vantage grille!
Just to see the joy in this young man was a great reward for a long night's work.
As collectors, it is very rewarding to have the public appreciate our items, whatever they are. I take great pleasure and responsibility from sharing my work with others.
Well, here's to perhaps making the difference in someone's life through sharing our hobby...

Sir Miles

That was very good of you to let the kid sit in the car...I'm sure that memory will last his whole life...it's so nice when people give something for no personal reward - good on you {[]

Gebruder Gumbold

My friends,
I deeply regret to tell all of you that last week my lockup was broken into, and every tool I owned was stolen, along with some unobtainium NOS parts....and, worst of all, the lovely DBS was vandalized- the cowards crunched in the side of the car whilst rolling my tool cart and belongings into their get-away truck.
Heartbroken...

Looks as if the Aston will need a complete teardown and metalwork, and a full respray. I will be doing most of the work, so it looks as if she will be down for about 1 year.

Will return with a better, freshly painted, and even more film seen correct car.

Nope, insurance does not cover my 20 years of tools. Some were my father's...
....Crooks even broke into another unit and stole titanium legs and arms fro our Wounded Warriors.
At this time, there is a suspect, and the police are going at it fairly well. Helps that a fellow Aston owner is the District Attorney near this area.

Will keep all of you posted on developments.
Cheers, Tom

Gadget Meister

Terrible news Tom, I only wish the guilty party would get what he deserves. Although no amount of justice can right the wrong he has done you. X-( X-( X-(

Thunderpussy

Terrible news Indeed. there are some real scumbags in the world. X-(

The Domino Effect

So very sorry. I despise thieves. We all work so hard to have what we've got, and some think they can just nip in and take what they want. Then there are the vandals who are even lower on the scum charts.

Sir Miles

That's awful, Tom. I hope the person/people are caught and you can a least get some of the tools back.
I wish you luck and speed in repairing the Aston -{