Meet the most expensive car in New Zealand and the man who owns it.
Self-made multi-millionaire Tony Quinn unveiled his Aston Martin Vulcan to the country today in Cromwell.
The steering wheel from the new Aston Martin Vulcan. Photo / Alan Gibson
"It was several million dollars, pounds, rupees whatever....it was a lot of money," he joked in an interview with ZB Sportspersonality Tony Veitch. "If you had asked me 25 years ago would I ever do something like this, I'd tell you you've got rocks in your head."
In fact, the seven litre V12 all-carbon fibre supercar cost $4.2 million. Car collectors say the value of the Vulcan will only soar as Aston Martin has only made 24 of them. Quinn's is the only one in the southern hemisphere and takes pride of place in his collection of high class vehicles including a McLaren MP4 12C, a Nissan GT-R, Lamborghini Huracan, Porsche 911 and an Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
The public got its first look at the stunning supercar at Quinn's Highlands Motorsport Complex today.
"They're a track car, they can't be driven on the road. The intention is to travel the world with a series of maybe 12 or 15 Vulcans that belong to these people and we will race at different tracks around the world. And one of the attractions is if I could bring these guys to either Hampton Downs or Highland Park sometime in the not too distant future that would be pretty special."
"I love Aston Martins. I've had a couple of road Aston Martins and race Aston Martins. I've driven McLarens, Ferraris and Porsches but I didn't gel with them. But I like the look of Aston Martins and they suit my style of driving."
The Vulcan has a top speed of more than 320 kilometres per hour and a 0-100kmh time of three seconds. As a track vehicle only, Quinn even has to get resource consent from the local council simply to start the most expensive car in New Zealand.
That was granted and the 59-year-old entrepreneur thrilled spectators and visiting celebrities at Highlands yesterday as he put the Vulcan through its paces.
Scottish-born Quinn made his fortune by creating the world's biggest chilled pet food business which he sold last year for more than $300m, and has had other major business interests in confectionary. Motor racing is his passion. A five-time winner of the Porsche Targa NZ title, he also owns the Hampton Downs motorsport complex south of Auckland, is also allowing the public to get an "Vulcan Experience" at Highlands.
Highlands is offered a $5000 hot lap in the Vulcan - with Quinn driving - and Timaru man Steve Lyttle is just one enthusiast who has signed on.
Tony Quinn with the limited edition track-only Aston Martin Vulcan at Highlands Motorsport Complex in Cromwell. Photo / Alan Gibson
"It's an absolute supercar," said Little. "It's closer to a Formula 1 race car rather than an Aston Martin. It's just a work of art. It's like a Picasso for people who do motorsport."
A Highlands spokesperson answering a question on Facebook said: "We assure you that you'll get enough to satisfy your need for speed."
