Aston Martin launches new certification program for classic models

Aston Martin officially announced to be starting a new factory certification program for all of their cars ever made in the entire century that the automaker’s been in existence, or at least the ones still in working condition.

It’s called the Aston Martin Assured Provenance program and its a way for current owners to add value to their classic Astons by getting the cars officially certified by Aston Martin Works at Newport Pagnell.

The certification is based on a four-level system, where much like Concours d’Elegance show judges, several experts will inspect your classic Aston based on the aesthetic and mechanical condition of the car. The records are then provided to a “Sanctioning Committee,” who later decides whether your car deserves a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level certification.

Upon completion, the owner will then receive a whole suite of goodies, such as a certificate of authenticity, a photobook of your specific car, a presentation case, and two sets of plagues for the instrument cluster and door sills, along with a USB stick containing a digital record of the car–all for a certain, undisclosed (but probably hefty) fee.

Just make sure you don’t get confused with the idea of it being a factory-sanctioned restoration program as well, like Mercedes-Benz’s Classic Center and Museum.

Check out the press release below for the full rundown.

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ASTON MARTIN LAUNCHES ASSURED PROVENANCE RATING FOR CLASSIC CARS

11 September 2015, Gaydon – Aston Martin is today unveiling an authoritative new Assured Provenance certification programme which, for the first time in the brand’s 102-year history, comprehensively assesses the background of its heritage sports cars.

Created to offer a true blue riband service to heritage car owners and collectors, and drawing on the unrivalled knowledge of a committee of authoritative Aston Martin experts, the pioneering Assured Provenance certification programme is administered and run by the brand’s world-renowned in-house heritage car facility – Aston Martin Works.

The first official authentication programme to be provided in-house by Aston Martin, the new scheme offers four levels of verification to take into account not simply all-original examples, but also sports cars that have been modified by Aston Martin itself over the years.

As part of the painstaking procedure of examination and authentication, all cars submitted to the process will undergo a digital scan which will be verified and held in a secure archive for future reference.

Every car will be assessed at Aston Martin’s internationally renowned heritage restoration, service and repair facility – Aston Martin Works at Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire – where they will undergo a thorough visual and mechanical investigation. These details, along with a full provenance record, will then be presented to the newly created Sanctioning Committee for its deliberations.

Successful cars will then be awarded one of four levels of Assured Provenance ranging from Platinum to Bronze depending on their condition, history and significance.

The Sanctioning Committee evaluating each car and delivering its verdict comprises renowned experts from Aston Martin including Aston Martin Works’ staff.

Owners of successful cars in the Assured Provenance process will be supplied with a hand-crafted presentation case comprising a richly illustrated photographic record book, all-important Heritage Assured Provenance certificate, USB with digital data and two sets of dashboard and sill plaques.

The official verification and authentication certification scheme involves a two-stage fee: one to initially enter the car for consideration and a further fee should the car be successful.

Paul Spires, Managing Director of Aston Martin Works, said: “The values of many Aston Martin heritage models are now such that a formal, officially sanctioned and operated, provenance certification scheme is a natural development for the brand.

“As with everything we do here at Aston Martin Works we will take the utmost care to painstakingly assess each car submitted to this process, thereby allowing the Sanctioning Committee to make a fully informed decision about the cars put forward for consideration.”

The first cars being submitted for authentication will be received within the next few weeks, with the first meeting of the Sanctioning Committee set to take place this month.

– By: Chris Chin