5.7 Liter Quad-Cam V8 Engine
4 Weber Dual-throat Carburetors
393bhp at 5,400rpm
5-Speed Manual ZF Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Superbly prepared, matching-numbers factory LHD V8 Volante
*Upgraded to Vantage engine specifications
*Expertly restored in appropriate Balmoral Green over Natural livery
*Offered with an abundance of restoration records and documentation

To view a YouTube walkaround of this lot please click here

THE ASTON MARTIN V8 VOLANTE

Aston Martin had initially intended the DBS to house its new V8 engine, but production difficulties meant that the car first appeared with the DB6's 4.0-liter six. Bigger and more luxuriously appointed than the DB6, the heavyweight DBS disappointed some by virtue of its slightly reduced performance, but there were no complaints when the V8 finally arrived in 1969. Staggering performance of the new V8 justified the claim that it was the fastest production car in the world. The most successful Aston Martin ever, the V8 survived the changes of ownership and financial upheavals of the 1970s, enjoying a record-breaking production run lasting from 1969 to 1989, with 2,919 cars sold. Throughout the long production run every car leaving the factory was completely hand built which included hand formed aluminum body panels, assembly of the engine, leather and walnut interior trim and numerous other appointments.



THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Aston Martin V8 Volante chassis no. 15429 was completed at the famed Newport Pagnell factory in October of 1985, as a 1986 model-year car. One of the very last factory carbureted examples, the Volante was configured for the US market as a left-hand drive car and finished in Jaguar Regent Grey over a Natural leather interior. It was shipped to Star Motor Cars in Houston, Texas and sold to its first owner, Ms. Susan L. Smith in February of 1987. The Aston Martin remained in Texas until 2003, when purchased by the second owner, Mr. James Taylor of Los Gatos, California. Invoices from the
impressive history file attests to approximately $30,000 worth of work completed during Mr. Taylor's ownership at renowned Aston Martin specialist Autosport Designs of Long Island, New York, Upgrades included the conversation to run a factory-correct ZF 5-speed manual gearbox.

15429 was purchased by the consignor from Mr. Taylor in 2011 and has since been restored and refined
while in his custodianship, with absolute perfection in mind. In 2012, ProtoTech Services Ltd in
Edmonton, Alberta was retained to fully rebuild the original engine and upgrade it to near Vantage
specifications. Disassembled to a short-block, the engine was bored to 5.7-litres, fitted with 10:1 pistons,
Vantage cams, new timing chains, ported heads and Vantage headers, among other things. The stock 42mm Weber carburetors were retained and rebuilt but not upgraded to 48 mm Vantage carburetors. This was done to maintain drivability and excellent mid-range rpm performance. A new MSD ignition system was fitted for improved reliability and performance. A European air box was sourced and installed, and a new clutch was fitted. Ancillaries such as the radiator, water pump, fuel pump, starter, alternator and power steering pump were rebuilt or replaced as well. Further, the Volante received a full mechanical restoration of the steering rack, brakes, bearings, suspension and electrical systems. A 2018 dyno test of 15429 revelated an impressive 314 horsepower at the rear axle which translates to 393 brake horsepower. The black convertible top was replaced in 2016 to original specifications, while all rubber weatherproofing was replaced with Aston Martin parts.

15429 was professionally painted in 2019 by McKay Auto Body in Calgary, Alberta. The car was stripped and blocked, and then received three coats of the period-correct color "Rolls-Royce Balmoral Green" as seen on the car today, while receiving three coats of clear. The underside of the hood was re-painted in flat black, while the rocker panels were removed, and the underside of the car was rust proofed. Inside the seats were refurbished, and all wool carpeting in the interior and the trunk replaced with correct Wilton carpeting sourced from England.

Today, 15429 presents exceptionally well inside and out. The body is straight and the paint close to
flawless. The Volante is fitted with the desirable European-style stainless steel bumpers, and now
appears exactly the way it would have been equipped for those markets in that model year. Built to Vantage specifications, with the exception of the carburetors, the Volante has very strong acceleration and stellar handling. The odometer reading of 49,700 miles is indeed believed to reflect the original mileage and can be backed up by the CARFAX reports, service receipts and other documents. The history file for 15429 is utterly impressive, and contains an abundance of restoration and service receipts, dyno sheets, copy of the factory build sheets and photos of the body restoration and engine rebuild. Retaining its original, matching-numbers engine, Vantage specification upgrades and the ZF 5-speed manual configuration, this factory left-hand drive Aston Martin V8 Volante deserves serious
consideration, and must be among the best prepared examples on the market today.