Rolls-Royce stopped by Edmunds HQ last week with the new Ghost and ever since, we've had nothing but acres of leather, blocks of veneer and Spirits of Ecstasy on the brain. We're used to driving different cars everyday to the point where we've undoubtedly become spoiled, but a Rolls-Royce is no ordinary car. How can it be when a Phantom is longer than a Suburban and can be equipped with an on-board humidor?
Yet, Rolls-Royce isn't the only British brand that turns us into Pavlov's dog, so this week on Face-Off, we've decided to take a look at two of England's finest. It's Goodwood versus Gaydon. Queen Elizabeth versus James Bond. It's Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe versus Aston Martin DBS.
But seeing as our editors are in no position (financially or societally) to properly defend these vehicles, we've elicited help from two editorial contributors from our London office who sat down in the gentlemen's smoking lounge of The Royal Darbyshire Country Club while British Associate Editor Mark Takahashire typed notes while uncomfortably holding their snifters. In one leather-lined corner sits Lord Michael Marbury and his personal Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe. In the other, Sir James St. John Smythe and his Quantum Silver DBS.
Opening Statements
Sir James St. John Smythe for the Aston Martin DBS
My word Lord Michael, I can only say that you have a selected a vehicle meant for a Queen -- be it Elizabeth II, Elton John or Libarace. I, on the other hand, have selected the latest in a long line of thoroughbred GTs from the finest automotive brand in the world. Let us put aside for the moment the ghastly association with James Bond films, which is difficult since there has nary been an article written about the Aston Martin DBS that doesn't in some way mention that uncouth film series that sullied the good name of Dame Judi Dench. And bugger, if I haven't done it myself.
It should come as no surprise that many Aston Martin owners in fact own multiple Astons and I am no different. When you've been graced by such beauty, it is difficult to settle for anything else (unless you're Prince Charles). Indeed, the new Rapide only allows me to drive Aston Martins more often as I can now bring Lord and Lady Worthington with us to Blades. However, the DBS is still the one I find myself driving the most and I do mean driving. Driving in your Phantom is more akin to piloting the Queen Mary through the Suez Canal. The DBS' aluminium chassis, carbon fiber body work and meticulous engineering have created a light-weight masterpiece that makes the weekend drives to my polo tournaments in Wales an enjoyable experience whether I take the motorway or the country route. Then there's the V12, which can weaken my knees almost as sharply as the achingly beautiful styling.
You can have your Royal Barge, Lord Michael. I shall take the most breathtaking car in the world.
Lord Michael Marbury, Earl of Croy, Marquess of Needham and Baronet of Brycey for the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe
A DBS? What are we, Sir James, teenagers? Why if it weren't so bloody cold in this drafty castle I'd take off my Penguin-fur mitten and challenge you to a duel here and now. Of course, I could just get the Takahashire boy here to slap you with one of my many other endangered-animal-skin mittens, but he's busy typing and, to be frank, I don't feed him well; the slap would be troublesomely weak. Pity really. But where were we? Right, what to do about these damnedable layabouts leaving skeet clays in my field in Scotland!
Ah, the boy reminds me that we were discussing your misguided appreciation for the Aston Martin DBS. While potentially correct, the boy will go without dinner. Argh, I've spilled my pipe. Boy, don't type that! I don't know what was wrong with Morse's machine, daily mail takes forever. Boy, don't type this!
Right, that DBS fancy of yours. Right. What would be next? Once you've succumbed to that level of vanity? Denim pants? Snea-kers? Charitable donations? I kid, I kid. But surely you see my point: A Rolls-Royce, especially the Drophead Coupe (and it is Coup-ay, despite what the Colonials say), is an exercise in unrestrained class and extravagance. Bring it to see the queen, your mistress or the queen's mistress (HA HAH!) and you'll appear quite the gentleman. Old money, good taste, fine breeding.
A DBS shows up and society will assume the kids have been in the trust fund again. And, good man, with you exiting, well the mutterings and murmurings on Savile Row will be who did your hairpiece, not your three-piece! "An Aston Martin, at his age. Why I ... the thought ... having to drive himself ... the seat's so low ... and all that noise."
Boy! Do I hear typing? There's a bath to be drawn. Chop chop.
Rebuttals
Sir James:
Aston Martins are for trust fund teenagers? Why, that's the daftest thing I've heard since I was told fox hunting wasn't to be an Olympic sport. Everyone knows you buy your teenager a Volkswagen and thusly, that's what the Bentley Continental is for.
However, you do make a fine point regarding the Rolls-Royce's unrestrained class and extravagance. There is a reason Sir Elton enjoys them so. I certainly appreciate being able to step into the back seat and sit down without folding myself inelegantly as I would in any other coupe. Also, that teak tonneau is simply divine. You said it is made from 30 separate pieces of wood from Southeast Asia and has to be oiled with every service interval? And it's only $9,000? What a bloody steal.
Come to think of it, why are we arguing about which of these cars is better? We have enough money to buy eight or 14 of each. I believe I shall order my Drophead Coupe this week.
Lord Marbury:
Excellent point Sir James. Indeed, the boy tells me an Aston Martin DBS has been sitting in that dilapidated garage they call a "Tudor-inspired-futurist 43-car carriage house" for weeks. Really, who can keep track these days?
So, which would you buy?
By dougtheeng
on March 8, 2010
06:23 AM
Aston Martin, hands down.
...though the Rolls is an interesting proposition.
By cruiserhead1
on March 8, 2010
06:43 AM
Saw Queen Latifah in her RR PDC. Believe me, that car makes the Aston invisible.
By rick8365
on March 8, 2010
07:21 AM
DBS for me, thanks.
By ne1butu2
on March 8, 2010
10:25 AM
I'd prefer the AM to own and drive every day. I'd be hard pressed to buy one versus the 7/8 scale Vantage. Given the choice, I'd take an Aston.
But I'd love to drive the Roller during lazy summer weekends. It has amazing curb appeal, maybe a bit too conspicuous.
By sabastian
on March 8, 2010
10:32 AM
Aston. Clearly.
By 7driver
on March 8, 2010
10:36 AM
Ugh. You had to pick your alias from the worse film in the series. Or at least the film containing one of the worst girls in the series (although Denise Richards gives Tanya Roberts a good run on being worst).
Anyway, seems to me the Rolls PDC would appeal to stockier builds while the A-M DBS is more for svelte figures. I'll take the DBS.
By jriz
on March 8, 2010
11:01 AM
Would you have preferred Sir Hillary Bray, James Sterling or Jerzi Bondov?
But yes, A View to a Kill was terrible. Except for Grace Jones and Christopher Walken, that duo was just too awesome to be true.
By mtakahashi
on March 8, 2010
11:08 AM
Peasant uprising! The whipping boy votes for the DBS. Suck it, Marbury!
By misterfusion
on March 8, 2010
09:48 PM
^ ...And thus begins the origin story of Odd-Job.
By blackadder5639
on March 12, 2010
12:17 PM
I want both! The offer different but great experiences....