For Sale at Auction: 1980 Aston Martin Volante in Monterey, California

Chassis No. V8C0L15209
Engine No. V580 5209 LFM

Affectionately known as a "Brute in a Suit," Aston Martin's muscular and long-lived V8 was produced for two decades, a testament to the good looks and engineering prowess and the resulting popularity from that formidable combination. Such was the popularity of the convertible offered from June of 1978, Aston Martin would build the coupe to individual demand just a few short years after the Volante's debut.

According to a digital copy of its Aston Martin build card on file, which is available for review, this US-specification V8 Volante, chassis number V8C0L15209, left Newport Pagnell finished in Madagascar Brown with the interior trimmed in Natural colored leather and a matching convertible soft top. According to a plaque affixed to the center console this Volante made an appearance in the Hollywood film Green Ice. By 1995 it passed into the hands of well-known audiophile Mark Levinson. Service records on file show regular servicing by Levinson at both Autosport Designs and Vantage Motors Inc. By 1998 it was sold to Kean Rogers, a well-known author of Aston Martin books. While in Rogers' ownership, the car was returned to Europe in the late 1990s to participate in an Aston Martin Owners Club trip to Le Mans.

Sometime thereafter it is reported that Rogers entrusted this V8 Volante to Essex, England-based Aston Martin specialist Rikki Cann for a complete restoration with significant upgrades. The body was stripped, and necessary repairs were made with a conversion to European chrome bumper specification before refinishing the car in a metallic color named Grace Green, well suited to the Volante's curves. The interior was retrimmed by Lincoln Scott of East Sussex in tan Autolux leather with dark green piping matching its dark green Wilton wool carpets. A new dark green convertible top, well matched to the new body color was installed at this time.

The chassis was stripped and received similar treatment with repairs and epoxy paint, but not before additional reinforcements were added to provide strengthening for the matching numbers engine, now rebuilt to X-Pack 5.5-liter Vantage specification. Beginning with a full teardown, the engine was fitted with replacement V580X cylinder heads and high-lift camshafts. Feeding the now Vantage-spec engine are four Weber IDF 48 mm carburetors, matching manifolds, and a large bore airbox, with the rebuilt engine breathing through a new big-bore stainless steel exhaust system.

Following its acquisition by Tom Papadopoulos in 2008, it was later sold to New York-based collector Adam Lindemann in 2011. In 2016 Lindemann, along with Autosport Designs, made further modifications to the car with a conversion to the subtle "Prince of Wales" (PoW) specification and upgrades to match the three "Ecurie Ecosse" cars produced by Aston Martin that featured a spoilered trunk lid and blanked front engine grille - an absolutely outstanding visual presentation.

By the autumn of 2019 this V8 Volante passed to the consignor and most recently visited Steel Wings of Ivyland, Pennsylvania in January 2023. While there, both the rear differential and transmission were removed for a reseal and, while removed, the driveshaft received fresh universal joints, the clutch was removed for an inspection, and the rear brake calipers were rebuilt. Today, this ever-popular, factory left-hand-drive V8 Volante has been imbued with many of the finest bespoke features available through the 1980s on Aston Martin's popular V8 convertible. Restored to Vantage specification, this factory five-speed manual transmission example includes restoration and service records from 1995 and digital copies of its Aston Martin record card and original production record entry.

Addendum & Administrative Notes

Due to California emissions laws, please note that this vehicle may only be sold to an out-of-state resident for use outside of California or to a licensed automotive dealer.