The only Aston Martin 001 Pro motorbike currently available in the UK

As well as being a fan of cars, boats and high-performance bicycles, Aston Martin design chief Marek Reichman is also a mad-keen motorcyclist – which explains why Aston Martin surprised the world in 2019 by announcing it was about to start building its own two-wheeler, the AMB 001. The futuristic machine, limited to 100 examples, was designed around the V-twin engine made for the modern-day Brough Superior motorcycle but enhanced with a Garrett turbocharger that boosted output to an eye-watering 180bhp.

The AMB 001’s ‘attack’ riding position, swooping lines and aerodynamic bodywork set it far apart from the more traditional-looking machines built at the Brough Superior factory in Toulouse, France, and the limited edition sold out fast.

At Milan’s EICMA motorcycle trade show in 2022, however, Aston Martin announced plans to create a more extreme version of the bike, the track-only AMB 001 Pro. Inspired by the Valkyrie, its engine was further tweaked to produce an arm-stretching 225bhp, while the appearance of the bike became even more dramatic with a front spoiler and wings to provide downforce, air blades that produce a tunnel effect and a rear tail fin to enhance stability. Just 88 were slated to be made, each priced at a rather hefty £130,000 – which, inevitably, makes the Pro an even rarer sight than the already elusive standard model.

With exotic motorcycles more so than cars, it’s not always easy to know if the intended production run is ever reached – especially since the majority of examples that sell tend to end up hidden in the motor houses of high-end automobile collectors who quite enjoy having the odd two-wheeler dotted about the place to provide a bit of interest.

When bikes such as the Pro enter those collections it’s often years, even decades, before they reappear on the secondary market – which explains why this is the only example of an AMB 001 Pro currently available in the UK.

Since each bike is hand-built to order at the Toulouse factory, anyone who puts their name down for a new one will, inevitably, have to wait some time to receive it. This example, therefore, provides a pristine opportunity to eliminate that wait and to  end up with a machine that is effectively brand new having travelled little more than its delivery mileage.

Built in 2023 and designated number 008, the bike’s CNC aluminium frame and carbon body helps to keep weight down to 175kg which, combined with that impressive engine output, gives the machine a power-to-weight ratio on a par with a Formula 1 car.

All 88 Pros will be finished in Aston Martin Verdant Jade paint with Photon Lime accents, while carbon parts are left matt and the engine is protected with black Cerakote.

As for the Aston Martin ‘lacewing’ badges that adorn the nose cowl and fuel tank, they are a work of art in themselves: made from chemical etched aluminium, they are 99.4% lighter than the enamel versions used on the cars. You won’t notice it on track – but it’s certainly something to talk about when your Pro is sitting in the garage.

2023 Aston Martin Brough AMB 001 Pro
On offer jointly at Anthony Godin and Dylan Miles, £135,000.
anthonygodin.co.uk
dylan-miles.com
shmooautomotive.co.uk

Bugatti beauty a racing hit since 1926

• Once raced by notable Land Speed Record-botherer Sir Malcolm Campbell at Brooklands, this 1926 Bugatti Type 35B, chassis 4696, went on to have a lively post-war existence in races and hillclimbs when owned by former VSCC chairman Bernard Kain. “It’s a delight to drive,”  enthused Cotswolds dealer William I’anson, where the car is on sale, £POA.
  
• While a first all-electric  Bentley is to launch in 2026 – “a true luxury urban SUV”, according to CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser – the Crewe-based marque has delayed its aim to go fully electric across its range until 2035, five years later than originally planned.  It will continue to make plug-in hybrids until then.
• Victim of an Enzo Ferrari clear out at the end of  a lacklustre 1973 F1 season for the Scuderia, Italian  ace Arturo Merzario switched to Williams where he campaigned this 1974 Williams, now  on sale at Speedmaster in Wetherby. Designated ‘FW03’, its day in the sun came at Monza, with  ‘Little Art’ taking the car to  a creditable fourth. £POA
  
• According to a survey  by AA Cars, 25% of UK drivers now buy cars online without ever actually seeing the vehicle – up 4% from 2023. “Online gives greater convenience and access to a wider variety  of options,” says James Hosking, MD of AA Cars.
• Land Rover has now occupied the top spot of the Dealer Auction’s Retail Margin Monitor since March 2023, with, today, an average profit of £3,650; Mercedes stands second at £2,700. Best margin by model? Land Rover’s Discovery Sport, which continues to have soaring customer demand. LG