Aston Martin’s paradise, Arcadia
At the entrance of the venue, in front of the Sensoji Hozomon Gate, the famous Bond car “DB5 Goldfinger Continuation” and “F1 car (replica)” are on display
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Aston Martin held the Aston Martin ARCADIA owner’s event to celebrate the company’s 110th anniversary for three days from November 17 to 19 at Sensoji Temple in Tokyo and Fuji Speedway.
ARCADIA stands for paradise in ancient Greece, creating a special space that celebrates the past, present and future of Aston Martin. The reason why Sensoji Temple was chosen as the venue is that it is a famous temple with a history of about 1,400 years, and it is an object of faith and respect for Japan people, as well as a place visited by everyone who is known to people around the world.
Speaking at the event, Aston Martin APAC President Gregory Adams said, “We are proud to host the first Alton Martin Arcadia in Japan for the first time at Kinryusan Sensoji Temple, and we look forward to celebrating this beloved brand with its owners for the next 110 years.”
Marco Mattiacci, Global Chief and Commercial Officer, who was in Japan for the event, said: “Japan is an important market for a country with a sophisticated understanding of high brands like Aston Martin, and it has also created a great community. In addition to the British tradition, we will be able to inherit high performance and will continue to develop good products without giving up.”
The best car selected at the Concours d’Elegance
World-renowned Japan car designers Shiro Nakamura and KEN OKUYAMA also participated in the judging at the Concours d’Elegance (center photo and left)
In front of the Sensoji Hozomon Gate at the entrance of the venue, the famous Bond car “DB5 Goldfinger Continuation” and “F1 car (replica)” were exhibited to surprise the worshippers, and in the precincts, a special edition “Valour” that combines a V12 engine and a manual transmission to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the company’s founding. Aston’s first mid-engine hybrid Valhalla and the exciting open-cockpit DBR22 were on display.
At the Concours d’Elegance (automobile competition), 70 old and new Aston Martin cars gathered in the precincts of Sensoji Temple were presented to Aston Martin Lagonda company history researcher Steve Waddingham (chairman of the jury), Aston Martin Heritage Trust member Gary Taylor, car designer Shiro Nakamura, and car designer Kiyoyuki Okuyama (KEN Mr. OKUYAMA) and Mr. Shiro Horie, editor-in-chief of Octane magazine, will judge (in no particular order).
As a result, the judges unanimously selected the Aston Martin Speed Model Type C LMF385 as the “Best in Show”. This racing car, made in 1940, was not able to participate in the race due to the world war, but it is said that it was evaluated for its rarity, the elegance of the body with a streamlined cowl that is conscious of aerodynamics, and the good condition of the body, which is the only one in Asia today.
The awards for each category are as follows.
■Best in Show
1940 Aston Martin Speed Model Type C LMF385
The jury unanimously voted for the “Best in Show” award for the Aston Martin Speed Model Type C LMF385
■ Best Restoration Class
1933 Aston Martin Le Mans
The 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans was chosen as the best restoration class that has been most faithfully restored
■ Pre-war car class
1930 Aston Martin International
The 1930 “Aston Martin International” was selected as a pre-war car class that competed in the motorsports scene in just 30 years since its founding
■ Hypercar Class
“Valkyrie”
The Valkyrie was selected as a hypercar class that pushed the boundaries of power, aerodynamics, and weight reduction
■ Signet Class
2014 “Signet”
The 2014 “Signet” was selected as the Signet class of compact cars that incorporated Aston Martin characteristics while collaborating with Toyota. The owner is Minako Suyama
■ DB11-12, DBX class
2021 DBS Superleggera Concord Edition
The 2021 DBS Superleggera Concord Edition was chosen as the DB11-12 and DBX class to symbolize the new era.
■DB1~DB9 class
1962 DB4 Series IV Vantage
The 1962 “DB4 Series IV Vantage” was selected for the DB1~DB9 class, which was manufactured during the 100th anniversary of the postwar period
■ V8 Heritage Car Class
1986 V8 Vantage Zagato
The 1986 “V8 Vantage Zagato” was selected as a V8 heritage car class for cars equipped with V8 engines manufactured in 1970~80
■ Gaydon Specials Class
“Lagonda Taraf”
The Lagonda Taraf was selected as part of the Gaydon Specials class, a special car made in Gaydon, where the company’s main factory is located
■ General Popularity Poll Class
2017 “Vanquish Zagato”
In the public popularity voting class voted by the visitors, the 2017 “Vanquish Zagato” shone
The depth of the Aston Martin brand
Aston models lined up on the home straight with Valor in the lead
Steve Waddingham, chairman of the jury, said: “As an expert on Aston history, I am delighted to see Aston in such a wide variety of flights.
Mr. Shiro Nakamura said, “At first, I thought we were going to judge 70 cars, but it is very rare to have so many cars. At the Concours d’Elegance in the United States and Europe, where I am a judge with Mr. Okuyama, there are many brands, but as far as I know, there is no brand that gathers such a wide range of cars under a single brand. From old racing cars and sports cars to four-doors, I was able to reaffirm the depth of the Aston Martin brand.”
After this, the participating cars set off for a parade that ran through Tokyo. A gala dinner and charity auction at the Fuji Speedway Hotel (a 29 million yen F1 replica appeared and was successfully sold!). After that, I went to the track day at Fuji Speedway on the last day.
Aston models continued to line up on the home straight, as well as grid walks, driving sessions on the main circuit in each category, and hot laps on the DBX707 driven by racing drivers.
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