To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Amelia Island event, 6 - 7
March 2020.
Estimate:
$375,000 - $425,000
- Ordered new by His Excellency Sheikh Abdelaziz bin Khalifa Al
Thani
- Rear seats and gearshift emblazoned with the Al Thani royal
crest
- The 38th of 40 built; one of just 22 left-hand-drive
examples
- Imported on Show or Display exemption
- The last of the coachbuilt Aston Martins
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Aston Martin's incredible 1959
victory at Le Mans, the marque built just 40 exclusive supercharged
versions of their V8 Vantage. Unveiled next to the race-winning
DBR1/2 at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, the so-named Vantage Le Mans
was not just a "paint and trim" special-it was a fully enhanced and
upgraded model.
The Vantage Le Mans specification included a special front spoiler
with larger cooling ducts added to improve downforce. The side
vents in the Le Mans were reshaped, while the fuel caps were
redesigned to look like fuel valves-all elements to hint at the
DBR1. Inside, the sporting treatment continued, with perforated
foot pedals, aluminum gear-lever knob, and brushed metal panels
replacing the traditional wood veneers. This exclusive model was
sold as a spectacularly expensive Works Service conversion
post-production to avoid the thorny issue of homologation.
For those who wanted even more out of the Vantage Le Mans, the V590
engine could be uprated to V600 specification. With a genuine top
speed of 200 mph, power output of 600 bhp, and a big-bore exhaust,
this was the most powerful Aston Martin road-car engine until the
One-77 arrived. Although most Le Mans were upgraded post-delivery,
this Le Mans is one of just a handful upgraded to V600
specification when new.
Ordered originally by His Excellency Sheikh Abdelaziz bin Khalifa
Al Thani, the eldest son of the eighth Emir of Qatar, the Le Mans
was optioned in Aston Martin Racing Green with special-order
ex-Works interior in trim-to-sample Green and Magnolia, with Dark
Green carpeting. Additionally, the sheikh ordered hand-stitched Al
Thani royal family crests emblazoned on the rear seats, gearshift,
and owner's manual. After being dispatched to the Qatar embassy in
Paris in June 2000, the Le Mans was registered on Qatar plates in
December of that year.
The Le Mans remained in Paris, regularly serviced by Auto
Performance Paris, before being sold to a private museum in Japan
in October 2008. At that time the Le Mans was recorded as having
covered 16,800 kilometers. At the time of entering the United
States on Show or Display exemption in 2017, the Le Mans was
recorded as having covered just 18,485 km.
The final model showcasing Aston Martin's coachbuilding prowess,
this Vantage Le Mans V600 is ideal for the discerning collector
seeking the perfect marriage of power, speed, and luxury, and is
fit for royalty, no less.To view this car and others currently
consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am20.