The Dream of an Aston
“Shall we take the Aston? “ – Jeremy Clarkson
With that line on Top Gear, my life would never be the same again. I had just watched the Aston Martin DB7 in its glory. The sound of the car, the classic front grill that looks like a shark’s mouth, the stunning curves. I was sold. But I couldn’t afford one at the time and that hurt. It’s a pain that drives me each and every day, every time I watch that video again. That was quite a few years ago, but just recently watched again through the wonders of YouTube.
My love for the cars grew when the Aston Martin Vanquish was released. Again, I was an observer, watching through Top Gear as they criticized the gearbox. I honestly believe that they have overblown that. Sure, compared to many of the hyper-cars they review, the gearbox may be pretty bad. But compared to the rest of the world of daily drivers? It’s superb.
Soon came the DB9, V8 Vantage and the DBS, all worthy of the name and my love grew.
The love of a car can change you. It can drive you to accomplish more, to strive for the impossible, but it is impossible to affect you on all levels. For that, something else needs to influence you. For me, when Casino Royale got released in 2006, that film changed my life.
The Life Changer
Casino Royale is what I refer to as the greatest James Bond movie of all time. Many will disagree with me, but once you come to accept Daniel Craig as Bond, you will agree with me. I guarantee that.
I’ve watched the movie multiple times and I find myself starting it at the train scene where Eva Green is introduced. I’m a big fan of hers. Probably too big if I’m honest about it. Sure the parts I skip are great too and I’m bypassing the DB5 earlier in the movie, but that’s when it begins to spice up and goes to a new level.
We live in a world where anyone can pull inspiration from any source. For over 45 years, men have wanted to be James Bond and women have wanted their men to be James Bond.
The Personality
Why do I skip to that part? It’s then that the true James Bond personality begins to emerge. Vesper (Eva Green) begins to chip away at Bond’s tough exterior, taking down the walls that were built many years before.
That’s the odd thing about women; typically there are three levels in my opinion.
Level one women don’t really mean much to the man, they are there and that’s it. Some men will take advantage of that situation, but some will not. Those are friends and will stay that way.
Level two women are a bit more complicated. These women typically turn into girlfriends but aren’t treated all that well. Guys will be guys and take many stands on every front. Fights will be waged, with him almost never backing down. Reason being? Sure he may love you, but not unconditionally. If the day were to come where it may end, he’ll move on within a few months because he knows you were only a level two. Harsh? Yes. But I’m just being honest.
Level three is the game changer. It’s this level when all bets are off. The guy will have everything turned on him; he’ll turn into the person that’s obsessed over text messages, over any communication, when you’ll go out next and what can be done when you do go out. That woman will be on his mind at all times, affecting his work, hobbies and friends. Any wall that was built up will come crumbling down. A level three woman will change his life and it is here that it rarely works out.
Vesper for Bond is a level three woman. All the other Bond Girls? Level one to twos, nothing more. He tends to use and discard afterwards because of their status in the ranking. When Vesper betrays Bond and subsequently dies, Bond is forever changed. That love he felt will surely never come again. A man only opens his heart once, one love for a lifetime. An open point to debate but those feelings will never be as strong when or if it happens once again.
When a level three is removed from a man’s life, he’ll typically cast each and every woman into a level two position and that’s where most people sit.
So how do I want to be Bond personality wise? I want to be the Bond that leads to the encounter of a level three but never gets there. I want to be an optimist but never be crushed.
The Clothes
James Bond has a unique fashion sense. Everything he wears in Casino Royale is made to measure and looks fantastic. I’m a guy and I’ll admit that I’ve found myself Googling what brand was worn in what scene. I’m intrigued. Bond in Casino Royale has three main staples that seem insignificant but are rare in society today from my exposure. French cuffs, long sleeve polo shirts and overcoats.
With French cuffs, I must say now: Do not ever wear cuffs on a patterned shirt. That drives me crazy. I personally think it looks terrible, as it’s just too busy. It almost screams: Look at me! Patterns draw attention, cuffs and cufflinks draw attention; the same goes for your tie and the prerequisite pocket square. Please, if you’re wearing French cuffs, keep it to a white solid, white lined or solid blue shirt. That’s it. Also please have your cufflinks match the metal in your watch. Nothing bugs me more than seeing a solid steel watch matched with gold cufflinks. Why do that?
Now, I’m a slightly more old school natured dresser. I like my French cuffs, I also like a longer jacket. I think short jackets make you seem a little more uptight and less relaxed. It doesn’t make sense, but that’s the way I think. Long sleeve polos also fall into this category.
I made a recent trip to a local mall on a mission to find some long sleeve polos. I could not find a single one. Anywhere. I was shocked. In the past I ordered them online but that was due to more convenience. I never tried to source one locally.
A nice long sleeve polo shirt, an appropriate undershirt, and pant set up will always impress in most settings. There isn’t much today where a suit is an appropriate level of attire, you’ll tend to be overdressed most of the time. But that set up will always be fine.
Speaking of suits, overcoats are something I’ve grown particularly fond of. Again, many men do not wear them; I think it’s the fact of having four layers on at once that turns them off. Or it could be the knee length that makes it feel like a dress. A lot of those concerns can be removed with a nice tailored overcoat. Pay attention in Casino Royale if you do not believe me. Ask yourself: Does Bond look out of place in any of the scenes where he wears one? I didn’t think so.
Trust me guys, a level two and above female will always appreciate a nice looking man. For the level ones, I don’t think you care what they think. Honestly.
The Cars
Where do the cars fit into all of this? Picture a man with a great outlook on life, the confidence required to swoon any female, a fantastic fashion sense and a level three woman by his side. What’s the only thing better than all that?
An Aston Martin.
Whoa, hold up a second? What? Yeah, you heard me. An Aston is better than all of that.
I bet you’re asking how that is possible. But it’s pretty simple when you think about it. You could spend a lifetime trying to gain the confidence of Bond. You could spend a lifetime seeking a level three woman. You could spend some extra money for someone to pick out your clothes. But if you work your ass off, buy an Aston Martin, I will guarantee that it will expedite all those steps.
When you step into an Aston dealer, the salesperson will sell you on the lifestyle of an Aston owner. He or she will tell you that you’re not only buying an Aston but buying a different life. And in a lot of ways, he or she will be correct. An Aston will change you quickly.
If you’re reading this article and enjoy just tossing on anything from your closet, if you think a suit is for fools, watches are overrated and you don’t care what people think, you don’t own a supercar.
It’s simple really. When you own a supercar, people will stop and stare. They will glance at you, judge you, and you will relish the attention. If you don’t, that car will be up for sale shortly after. As time goes on, you will dress better, you will eat at fancier restaurants, take in some shows and enjoy talking extensively to that important person in your life.
An Aston acts as an artificial accelerant. You will go from “Normal Joe” to “Socialite” within three years. The conversion begins within a year for most; some are harder to change than others.
The Lifestyle
Just who is James Bond? To me, James Bond represents the impossible. He is someone to strive to become, but can’t happen. We live in a cruel world.
If you’re lucky enough to own the car, have the style, and the personality, I congratulate you but pity you at the same time. Chances are you’re in the midst of a level three relationship and chances are you will be heartbroken by the end of it. Just like Bond, just like the world tends to dish out.
The walls will go up and you will never be the same.
I’d rather just have the Aston.
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