Driving through the streets of San Diego in the 2023 Aston Martin Vantage F1, zigzagging down Harbor Drive and onto Laurel Street. As I approach the on-ramp to Interstate-5 North to begin my overnight adventure to Los Angeles, I see a beacon. In the corner of my left eye. A sign glows brightly and displays the word “Casbah. “
It’s already around 10 p. m. I have to go 120 miles for this trip. But, without hesitation, I leave the road and navigate the maze of one-way streets of “America’s Loveliest City,” finally arriving at the Kettner Boulevard sign. It’s not a mirage. This is the Kasbah, the only well-known place I’ve heard of for at least two decades. Instead of continuing down the road, I park the Aston Martin and head to the spot.
It’s freedom, myself. This is a road trip. A genuine, spontaneous and impulsive road trip.
The day starts in Los Angeles, where, with a full tank, I hop into the Vantage F1. Sleek and modern, with its Satin Lunar White exterior and Haircell Onyx Black leather interior, the Aston Martin Vantage F1 is an understated marvel. It’s an elegant and complicated piece of automotive generation and engineering, and it satisfies the inner James Bond fantasy I’ve clung to since I first saw 007. It’s just a sexy, sexy sports car.
As I leave Los Angeles and head south to San Diego to watch combined martial arts fights, I can’t wait to see and feel what the Vantage F1 can do. But, of course, there is ridiculous traffic along I-5.
Don’t worry, I think. It’s a wonderful time for the Bowers audio system.
As traffic begins to thin, I see Truth TV star Jojo Siwa a few cars in front of me (his SUV is literally wrapped in eye-catching graphic prints with his call and photo), and as soon as I get a break, I hop in. the throttle to open the 4. 0-liter Twin Turbo V8 engine.
Now, I’ve driven a few luxury sports cars throughout the day, so I have some perspective. And I was immediately flabbergasted by the smoothness of the acceleration. Feeling every inch of the Aston Martin Vantage F1’s 572 horsepower, I make my way through the lanes and pass each and every car on I-5 South. As it approaches triple digits, the Vantage F1 doesn’t jerk, jerk, or drive. It glides, gracefully and gracefully, and I’m conquered through this 2-door coupe.
Since I had to get to San Diego in time for the fights, I ran at five, through Orange County, passing through cities like Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo and San Clemente. Close to Carlsbad and Legoland, I can’t wait to locate a great ocean view where I can snap some photos of the Vantage F1, so I start going off-road at each and every scenic viewpoint. But none of them live up to the good looks of the Aston Martin.
Instead, I made the trek to San Diego and my destination: the Pechanga Sports Arena.
I’ve been to this address before, so I know a little bit about the area. But for this specific trip, I need to explore something new. It’s not every day that I get to ride in a $207,686 sports car and I need to locate the best spot to capture the glorious exterior of the Aston Martin Vantage F1, its 21″ wheels, red brake calipers, and one-piece aluminum hood. But I refuse to settle for generic material.
Before I know it, though, I’m already a mile away from the sand and start thinking again about my genuine desires for this motoring experience. Where am I going to locate the best position to take this picture?myself. And that’s when a moment of spontaneous genius moves me.
Driving through San Diego, I see an empty elementary school parking lot. Please note that it is Saturday, so there are no children present. And anything about the aquamarine exterior of the school and the mural across the ocean, juxtaposed with the Aston. Martin, that seems so absurd and obscure. I temporarily take out my tripod and pose with the vehicle.
I’ve literally never taken a picture with a car I’ve tested, but the Aston Martin Vantage F1 left me stunned and I need a souvenir of that amazing journey.
Taking a few photos, I load up the coupe and head to the arena to see the Bellator 300.
A few hours later, after leaving the event, I’m in no hurry to get home. I’m still excited about the fights and I’m considering my options, but there doesn’t seem to be anything specific to do. I have to drive 120 miles back to Los Angeles and I can’t wait to feel the 8-speed automatic transmission fixed in the center rear of the Vantage F1 in its full effect on an empty road.
Instead of adjusting the GPS, I take a scenic vacation through the city and finally see a sign for I-5 North. And that’s when I see the Kasbah to my left.
The Kasbah is not a place. It’s legendary. All the touring rock bands have played there over the years, adding some of my favorites like Fu Manchu, Earthless, the Bronx, and Jesus Lizard. Tonight it’s the Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, with guitarist Anthony Cullins. I’ve never heard of this band before, but they’re surely heartbreaking. Killer instrumentalists, all of them.
When the band finishes their performance, I leave the room and go back to the Aston Martin. I’m free, in the wild, driving luxury sports cars in Southern California, watching fights, locating random locations and equipment in unfamiliar places. San Diepass and the Vantage F1 far exceeded my expectations and I’m still not in a position for this day to end.
Back in the car, I drive down the nearly empty road and start the engine. It’s already late at night, so I’m not looking to beat my personal speed record that I set the day before. But I continue to fly on I-5, ride the highway sitting in the lightweight, upgraded carbon fiber seat. It’s the closest thing I’ve ever enjoyed to an F1 experience, and I’m enjoying every mile I’ve driven. .
That’s when I see San Juan Capistrano come out.
In a last-ditch effort to make this road trip bigger, I’m stopping at the Del Taco drive-thru, but only because Taco Bell has already closed. And, after eating some tacos, I slowly navigate the streets of downtown near San Francisco. Juan Capistrano Mission.
Aside from fate, almost none of this was planned. Every action was spontaneous, every single resolution was based on an impulse, and that is the freedom of the road. Having taken a few road trips in 2023 and tasted quite a few beautiful ones throughout the year, this one is special. This solo holiday reminds us how vital it is to get out and drive, see the world, witness the good looks of the coastline and just think and reflect. The Aston Martin Vantage F1 left me refreshed, recharged, rejuvenated and I need more.
Of course, I’ll have to take more road trips in 2024. Hopefully, the folks at Aston Martin will have something new and glorious for an epic journey in California.
Introducing the 2023 Martin Vantage F1 @Aston. #car #cars #sportscar #cartok #astonmartin #roadtrip #luxe
♬ Original Sound – Dan Shapiro