Sarah Maynard Interiors
Discussion
Sarah's website is now almost complete and looking great http://sarahmaynard.com/aston-collection
I currently have the full set of controls and must say they do feel really nice in my hands - the knurling of the sides has a really 'machined' feel giving you confidence in very fine control. On the way for me now are also the matching gearknob and ashtray and she is also going to anodise my gearshift surround so it is a perfect match for everything else.
It took me a while to get my head around the light grey anodised controls as polished is what we're used to seeing in cars, but they really do make a lot of sense - firstly it's an aluminium car, and secondly it's a modern one! They also look bespoke and right for the character of the car, I couldn't be happier. They wouldn't look right in a DB5 but they are dead on in a DB9/Vantage.
She and I are also working on a bespoke finish for my fascia and satnav panels to match the flat bottom panel (where the gearshift and ashtray are). We're going to try for an engine turned look which I'll then have it covered in a darker laquer to get closer to the tungsten grey of the stereo/heater control panel, it'll look very interesting with the grey anodised controls.
It's a very enjoyable process for me knowing I am making my car different from the other 13000 DB9s out there, I will post some pictures up as the work progresses if anyone is interested.
I currently have the full set of controls and must say they do feel really nice in my hands - the knurling of the sides has a really 'machined' feel giving you confidence in very fine control. On the way for me now are also the matching gearknob and ashtray and she is also going to anodise my gearshift surround so it is a perfect match for everything else.
It took me a while to get my head around the light grey anodised controls as polished is what we're used to seeing in cars, but they really do make a lot of sense - firstly it's an aluminium car, and secondly it's a modern one! They also look bespoke and right for the character of the car, I couldn't be happier. They wouldn't look right in a DB5 but they are dead on in a DB9/Vantage.
She and I are also working on a bespoke finish for my fascia and satnav panels to match the flat bottom panel (where the gearshift and ashtray are). We're going to try for an engine turned look which I'll then have it covered in a darker laquer to get closer to the tungsten grey of the stereo/heater control panel, it'll look very interesting with the grey anodised controls.
It's a very enjoyable process for me knowing I am making my car different from the other 13000 DB9s out there, I will post some pictures up as the work progresses if anyone is interested.
Personally I think they look worse than OEM going off those pictures on the website. The colours just don't seem to match the fascia, although in black they look ok.
The silver indicator stalk end looks awful imo, like a complete afterthought. They should either replace it all, or none of it.
£995 is a complete joke too.
The silver indicator stalk end looks awful imo, like a complete afterthought. They should either replace it all, or none of it.
£995 is a complete joke too.
George H said:
Personally I think they look worse than OEM going off those pictures on the website. The colours just don't seem to match the fascia, although in black they look ok.
The silver indicator stalk end looks awful imo, like a complete afterthought. They should either replace it all, or none of it.
£995 is a complete joke too.
Ditto!!! Yuck.The silver indicator stalk end looks awful imo, like a complete afterthought. They should either replace it all, or none of it.
£995 is a complete joke too.
I applaud the vision, but not the execution. I hate the gearknob and the other controls are just too different. My car already has aluminium A/C controls, so I'd like matching hifi and satnav controls. The ends of the stalks are not the problem with them, so that's a missed opportunity. Complete replacement stalks that don't feel as if they will break every time you indicate would be nice.
Honestly guys, they look great in the flesh and using them is a pleasure. If you see my car at a meet or event stick your head in, have a sit in and have a play with them! They just feel better than the OEM plastic stuff and the anodised works with the grey matt background of the fascias.
Maybe the company will offer a polished version at some point for the magpies out there... Personally the anodised works for me, it moves the design forward. DB9s and Vantages are modern cars with no classic pretensions.
Pommehogster has them in his Vantage against the much darker fascia, there are some pics on his thread. I'm taking the car to HWM in the morning so will do a few snaps then and update. As I said, waiting on the gearknob, surround and ashtray lid to tie it all together.
Maybe the company will offer a polished version at some point for the magpies out there... Personally the anodised works for me, it moves the design forward. DB9s and Vantages are modern cars with no classic pretensions.
Pommehogster has them in his Vantage against the much darker fascia, there are some pics on his thread. I'm taking the car to HWM in the morning so will do a few snaps then and update. As I said, waiting on the gearknob, surround and ashtray lid to tie it all together.
Edited by yeti on Monday 11th July 10:42
michael gould said:
yeti......you've got too much money if your buying stuff like that 
Got my car at a good price (a 2006 car was the only manual Volante available at the time) so am happy to spend money to create something unique Don't think I'll be selling for a long time...I'm a having a bespoke interior created by the original designer of the car's interior... It's actually a rather nice process.
Horses for courses.
There's something odd going on here, in the thread about Tonys knobs yeti said:
yeti said:
No problem at all Tony - if you make them I'll probably swap them out for a set of yours! They're in a very dull anodised/satin ally finish, doesn't go with the rest of the slightly interior which is a shame. May have them polished, will chat to you about that...
Which is completely at odds with this thread which reads remarkably like you have some sort of interest involvedJohnG1 said:
yeti said:
I will post some pictures up as the work progresses if anyone is interested.
Yes please.Tha fascia panels: iPhone photos so fine detauil of the knurling can't be seen. As mentioned before, the ashtray, shift surround and gearknob are to be added when my fasic apanel has been redesigned. The new gearknob (not the one in the picture!) fits so snugly in your hand, it feels great. The DBS one I have is too big and tall and the original leather one was not befitting a car of this type!
The wiper stalk showing the knurled surface. Although it is a cap that sits on the end, it is actually all you ever touch, and your finger goes for the knurled surface when operating it. The push button is also very nice to use
Same for the indicator side, fingers only touch metal. When you hold them in your hand they are featherlight as well; the VH platform and Gaydon cars are all about the clever use of lightweight aluminium and this follows that theme.
Sorry about the poor pictures, Pommehogsters are better!
Silent1 said:
Which is completely at odds with this thread which reads remarkably like you have some sort of interest involved
Ever heard of someone changing their mind? I said they don't match my DBS shiny stuff... so I am getting shot of the DBS shiny stuff and moving towards the anodised non-shiny stuff.
OK with you? Seems like I need to check.
As you're the second person to think this (after thread was originally removed) can I ask why (genuine question)? And what possible interest I could have or what benefit I could be gaining? Do you think this for everyone who is enthusiastic about something new brought to market for our cars?
Edited by yeti on Monday 11th July 13:00
George H said:
Please say you're not going to put this vile fascia on!
Do they not do knobs for the newer interior too?
It looks pretty cool in the flesh, but no, I am not, not brave enough for that. I have in my head it'll be an engine turned finish like I have in my Marcos. I will then have a darker laquer so it's closer to the colour of the stereo/heater control panel. My Marcos dash below:Do they not do knobs for the newer interior too?
AFAIK, she designed the old style interior so is only focussing on that.
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