Vehicle Description
Chassis No. SCFCV81V9HTR12564
Launched in 1977, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage marked a bold return
to performance for the British marque. It blended muscular power
with grand touring luxury in equal measure, and with its aggressive
styling and robust engineering, epitomized Aston Martin's 1970s
"brute in a suit" philosophy. Just a year later, the first updates
arrived dubbed - "Oscar India." A closed bonnet bulge, deep front
air dam, and blanked-off grille enhanced both form and function.
Inside, leather and wood trim catered to the brand's luxury
pedigree.
It wasn't until 1986 that the V8 Vantage reached its full
potential. Debuting at the British International Motor Show, the
X-Pack, a truly exclusive offering, featured the uprated V580X
engine, initially developed for the V8 Zagato, producing 432
horsepower from 5.3 liters via four Weber carburetors,
high-compression Cosworth pistons, larger valves, and special
camshafts making the cars capable of speeds up to 200 mph. Simply
put by author and historian Kean M. Rogers, "Aston Martin Lagonda
saved the best for last... the V580X V8 Vantage." Produced through
1989, just 137 X-Pack-spec Series III V8 Vantages were built,
making it one of the rarest and most powerful Aston Martins of its
era.
Due to U.S. regulations, the true V8 Vantage was never sold
stateside in its full-performance form. American-market examples
retained the body updates but featured detuned, fuel-injected
engines and DOT-mandated bumpers, falling a tick short of the
European-specification's supercar credentials leaving rare European
market examples like this car highly sought-after by Aston Martin
connoisseurs today.
Delivered on 31 July 1987, this example was sold new in Edinburgh,
Scotland, by Murray Motor Company. Subtlety has never been the V8
Vantage's forte-especially when ordered in vibrant Suffolk Red over
a Magnolia Connolly leather interior with Burgundy piping as this
example was. For the most engaging driving experience, the car was
ordered with the highly sought-after five-speed manual
transmission.
The early history of the car is documented in its maintenance book
with service stamps from the Aston Martin Works Service Department,
with later services performed by marque experts. The car was later
acquired by a Norwegian collector and received a comprehensive
restoration under their direction. The restoration included
converting the car from right to desirable left-hand drive
configuration, which was completed by Lincoln Scott Aston Masin
Specialist in Sussex, England. Naturally, this change necessitated
a complete retrim of the interior with new leather with green
piping to match the new Green Wilton wool carpeting. The verdant
theme carried over to the exterior of the car as the bodywork was
refinished in the period-correct shade of Balmoral Green.
Additional restorative work included resealing the engine,
suspension, brake, and exhaust work that resulted from changing the
car to left-hand drive.
Following its time in Norway, the car was brought to the U.S. where
it was under the care of well-known specialty dealer Tom
Papadopoulos of Autosport Designs. The current owner acquired the
X-Pack in 2016 and over the past nine years the car has been
maintained with enthusiastic care, resulting in its continued
preservation and outstanding presentation today. Representing the
more potent performer from when it was new, this rare and highly
coveted genuine X-Pack example is truly the ultimate Aston Martin
of its era.
