Vehicle Description
-Kentucky Blue with Tan leather piped Blue with Blue Wilton wool
carpeting, Restored, 5-speed ZF manual transmission, Full Vantage
Specification engine.
In February 1977 Aston Martin unveiled their fastest road car ever,
the V8 Vantage. The 170 mph projectile shot to fame as the fastest
production road car in the world and is now universally accepted as
Aston Martins and indeed Britain's first ever Supercar.
The V8 Vantage was quite a different beast from the standard V8
Saloon Coupe. Besides its hidden modifications and engine tweaks,
the V8 Vantage featured twin Cibie H4 Driving Lamps within the
blanked off radiator grille (cooling air for the radiator being
drawn in beneath the bumper), a deep front air dam and boot lid
spoiler at the rear. All of these aerodynamic additions were
essential for a car with 170 mph+ potential. The V8 Vantage
features a large sealed bonnet bulge to cover the down draught
Weber 48 IDF carburetors. Other mechanical changes from the
standard engine included larger valves, revised camshafts and a
higher compression ratio, all helping to achieve 380 bhp. The first
group of 16 cars have two distinct and unique features, the bonnet
bulge opening is sealed with bolt-on cover and the rear spoiler was
added to the car after the body was built, these first 16 are known
as Bolted-On Flip Tail V8 Vantages.
The second group comprising 42 V540 Vantage production cars (23
European, 11 US, and 8 Canadian spec) the spoiler was made integral
to the body and the opening in the bonnet bulge was welded shut
during manufacture. These slightly later care are known as Molded
Flip Tail. Of these 42 Molded Flip Tail V8 Vantages, 16 were
produced in RHD form for the UK market, leaving only 26 LHD having
been produced. Truly limited production and exclusive to only a few
lucky owners when new.
This particular V8 Vantage is one of only eleven V8 Vantage
cosmetic examples imported to the USA and has been well known in
Aston Martin circles. These V8 Vantages were delivered with
standard specification V8 U.S. federal engines. As was the case
with many of these V8 Vantages in the day, the engine was converted
back to proper European high horsepower specification.
Between 2002 and 2004, this V8 Vantage was completely restored, all
photo documented. The work was done to extremely high standards and
the result is nothing short of stunning. There are receipts for
$101,949.54, not including the initial cost of the car. During the
restoration, the engine was completely rebuilt from the bottom up
to Vantage specs, by well-regarded Aston Martin specialist, Steel
Wings. During the engine rebuild, X-Pack Cosworth pistons were
utilized, as were a new set of 48 IDF Weber carburetors. Camshafts,
and valves were replaced with the correct Vantage spec throughout.
The engine was then dyno-tested and tuned before being reinstalled
in the car, producing 485 hp. All ancillaries were rebuilt as well
including the ignition system and it received a new gear reduction
starter. The suspension was also upgraded with a handling kit. All
remaining suspension such as bushings and ball joints were
completely overhauled or replaced, and the braking system
dismantled and completely rebuilt, from the booster to the
calipers.
The car was repainted to high standards, at which time, the front
spoiler was competently and subtly modified to have an even deeper
front lip. Consequently, this car's appearance is even more
distinctive than the already aggressive styling of the standard
Vantage. The interior was retrimmed, and the instruments rebuilt by
North Hollywood Speedometer (and the odometer zeroed so that
mileage indicated is since the restoration), and various electrical
fixes performed to ensure that everything works, from the electric
mirrors to the windscreen washer system to the air conditioning
system.
Upon the completion of the restoration, the car was
enthusiastically and extensively used. It was shown at Ford's 100th
anniversary exposition, and was also extensively featured in The
Discovery Channel's Ultimate Cars television program. The car was
also used in the 2006 film Lies and Alibis, where it appeared
approximately six times. There is an album containing photo
documentation of all.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to acquire an outstanding
example of one of these very rare cars. This is a fully sorted car,
both mechanically and cosmetically. Since being sold to its last
collector ownership by Autosport Designs, this V8 Vantage has been
serviced religiously to keep in its current outstanding
condition.
Superb in every way and without disappointment, it is ready for
immediate enjoyment and represents one of the finest collectible
examples from the V8 era.