Aston Martin Vanquish S – Red Arrows ‘Red 1’

Approved by the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Air Force, this is one of the most exclusive Aston Martins ever built, with custom details throughout highlighting the partnership between the two brands. The Red Arrows special edition cars are painted in a special pearlescent Eclat Red, which is not only the Red Arrows signature colour but also a unique custom shade of red, highlighted with gold flakes. In true Red Arrows fashion, the Vanquish S has been finished with white ‘flash’ side strake edges leading into the doors; trademark Red Arrows blue and white ‘smoke trails’ on the side skirts following through to the rear diffuser and exhaust; a unique Red Arrows Union Jack tail fin motif; and an individual engine plaque including a Red Arrows logo signed by a team member.

Each car is unique and designed to represent one particular Red Arrows Hawk with custom features throughout the car, including the formation number. Special interior features include an embroidered ‘Diamond Nine’ on each headrest, obsidian black trim with olive green inserts to match the Martin Baker ejection seat fabric colours in the Red Arrows Hawk, an audio on/off system switch made from recycled Red Arrows Hawks parts, the serial number of the corresponding Hawk aircraft embroidered on the passenger airbag and the Red Arrows squadron crest lacquered into the screen veneer in a monochrome finish.

All ten of the Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows special edition were handed over to their new owners by the pilot of each corresponding Red Arrows Hawk, at a ceremony held at the home of the Red Arrows, RAF Scampton. Appropriately, this car was handed over to Club member Martin Pointon by ‘Red 1’ himself; the Red Arrows Squadron Leader David Montenegro. The tenth car built in the series, Red 10, was gifted to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund to celebrate and honour those who have served for their country. More than 70,000 tickets were bought and the raffle raised over £1.5 million for the charity.

Red 1 was on display courtesy of Club member Martin Pointon