For over 30 years, from 1969 to 2000, Aston Martins used the Tadek Marek V8 engine in all the 'V car' range. But following a production run of a shade over 5000 handbuilt power units, AML replaced the much admired V8 with a new V12 power unit to propel their top level of cars through the first decade of the 21st century.

A V12 engine was first proposed for the Lagonda Vignale Concept car in 1993 although a working unit wasn't in fact fitted to the show car. The Vignale was intended to be built around an extruded aluminium structure, a feature first seen in production in the Vanquish. By 1996, Ford had fitted a working experimental 6.0 litre V12, initially based on a pair of 3.0 litre Duratec V6 units, to a show car they called the Ford Indigo Concept. A further development from this V12 finally appeared in an Aston Martin with the fully road going 1998 Project Vantage. The new V12 was finally installed into a production Aston Martin with the DB7 Vantage in 1999. 

The production V12 Vanquish, closely resembling the Project Vantage, was finally shown to the press and potential customers in October 2000 and then the public at the Geneva Salon in March 2001. Production started very soon afterwards at the revitalized Newport Pagnell factory and deliveries to customers commenced in the  Summer of 2001.

The Vanquish has been very much in the public eye ever since James Bond was reunited with an Aston Martin. A much modified V12 Vanquish was the star in 'Die Another Day' released during November 2002 to huge acclaim.

To date, there have been two special modified cars based on the Vanquish, the unusual Bertone Jet 2 and the wonderful Roadster by Zagato. Sadly, I believe these cars have remained unique.

In the Autumn of 2004, Aston Martin introduced the ultimate Vanquish, the 520 bhp, Vanquish S. Capable to 200 mph, the Vanquish S remained the flagship of the range, or as AM describe it, their 'Hero' car.  

By the end of 2004, around 1600 examples of the Vanquish had been built. Demand has remained strong and in October 2005, the 2000th Vanquish rolled out of the famous Newport Pagnell factory destined for a new owner in Japan.

By 2006, it was apparent that both the days of the Vanquish and indeed Aston Martin production at Newport Pagnell were drawing to an end. Firstly, cars were no longer being marketed for the US market and production began to slow down. Then in early 2007, AM announced the final version of the Vanquish S, the Ultimate Edition.

By the time the final Vanquish S was completed in July 2007, a mere 2578 Vanquishes had been built at Newport Pagnell. Production of Aston Martins at the factory came to a sad end after a period in excess of 50 years. Much of the factory was knocked down in early 2008 to make way for redevelopment into homes and light commercial activities. As a footnote, at the AM/Bonhams auction in May 2008, 1500 especially numbered and boxed bricks, salvaged following the demolition, were sold for charity. Since they were available for purchase for one day only, the bricks are now prized collectors items.