Vehicle Description
1985 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 'X-Pack' Development Prototype
Finished in Kensington Silver with Blue leather, this car was built
as a standard production V8 Vantage Coupe in 1985 and delivered for
use as a demonstrator by Stratton Motor Company, the authorised
Aston Martin agent.
The car was returned to the Newport Pagnell �Works' in 1986 and
used for development work by the Engineering Department. It was
allocated a Development Project number 'DP' and used to evaluate
the combination of the X-Pack engine and automatic transmission,
together with revised suspension and Compomotive 16" wheels. While
at the �Works' the car carried their private registration number
'AML 56' as shown in the magazine article in the History File.
The History File includes copies of the �Works' internal
correspondence and memoranda documenting this car's specific role
in the development of the �X-Pack' model launched late in 1986. On
completion of its development role the Chassis Plate was updated to
show the engine's �X-Pack' specification, and the History File
carries written documentation from the Heritage Operations of Aston
Martin that their records confirm the instruction to rebuild the
Vantage engine to Vantage �X-Pack' specification.
In December 1988 Aston Martin �Works' sold the Vantage to its first
private owner, Mr John Elliott of Langton Green who registered the
car with his private plate 'JE 207'. In a written account of his
ownership Mr Elliott states that prior to his purchase the car had
been updated by the �Works' to 1988 specification, including the
air conditioning. At 21,352 miles the car was returned to the
�Works' and fitted with its ZF five speed manual gearbox, Mr Elliot
driving the car for another 19,000 miles during which the car
continued to be serviced by the �Works'.
Correspondence in the History File from the �Works' shows that the
car was subsequently owned by B. G. A. Palmer Esq, as also shown in
the Aston Martin Owners Club �Register of Members' Cars' with the
car carrying the registration number �AML 56'.
In 2002, with 40,000 miles, the car returned to the Stratton Motor
Company from whom it passed to its third owner.
For the seventeen years from 1985 until 2002 the car was serviced
and maintained by the �Works' at Newport Pagnell, with additional
work by its authorised agent �The Stratton Motor Company', the
original �Service Vouchers' book showing seven stamps during this
period when the mileage reached 39,288. Subsequently, and during
the third owner's fourteen year ownership, the Aston has been
religiously maintained by two leading marque specialists, Four
Ashes Garage and Davron with servicing and maintenance is very
well-recorded and documented within the History File
At the AMOC's 2016 Autumn Concours the car was awarded 3rd Place in
the �Pride of Ownership' Class
Supplied with the following original documentation and accessories:
History File with extensive and detailed records Factory �Sales
Pre-Delivery Certificate' Owners Handbook Workshop Manual Original
Aston Martin V8 �Sales Brochure Original �Service Voucher book'
Original Blaupunkt radio handbook and instructions Heritage
Certificate Original edition of the book �Aston Martin V8 Vantage'
by Kean Rogers embossed �DP2035' Original �Tanner & Krolle' Aston
Martin Luggage Original Compomotive wheels used during its role as
Development Prototype Original Tool Kit and Jack
A manufacturer's �development prototype' always holds special value
within every marque's history, and none more so than with Aston
Martin. Since the V8 Vantage �X-Pack' was the last model of an era
that lasted thirty years, and has become one of the most
sought-after and collectible Astons worldwide, the importance of
this car and the significance of its role cannot be
over-estimated.
Offered in excellent condition throughout and the first of just 121
�X Pack' models constructed, this significant Aston Martin ticks
every box in terms of provenance, originality, rarity, desirability
and is without question the X Pack to own. �
Photo credit: Tim Scott - Fluid Images
