Beneath several layers of winter clothing lies a patriotic heart, beating strongly in the editorial breast.

I’ve just spent two days at the cultural core of the British motor industry: first at Aston Martin, and then at a special Land Rover event at Eastnor Castle, deep in the English countryside. The driving event mixed the marque's 2012 model line–up with some significant Land Rovers from 50 years of off–road testing at this very venue. It's the company's 'Fiorano', if you like.

As a nation of car builders, we haven't, ahem, always got it right — but when we do, by jingo, we really hit the bullseye. You'll be reading about it in the weeks to come, but from an original 1970 Range Rover to the latest Autobiography model and Evoque, the company is world–class (and I would say "world–beating").

Meanwhile, over at Gaydon, I was able to see the extraordinary detailing work and advance engineering that makes the 750bhp One–77 tick, as well as driving the latest DBS, before heading over to Newport Pagnell for the latest on Works Service.

We can still do it. Most of the time.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

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