Footnotes

With the resurrection of the 'Vantage' name in 1977, Aston Martin enthusiasts everywhere breathed a sigh of relief; previously applied to high-power versions of the DB six-cylinder cars, it had been dormant since the V8's arrival back in 1969. A heavier car than its six-cylinder predecessor, the V8 suffered as emissions legislation became ever more strangulating, leading to concern that Aston Martin's traditional performance image might be lost. The arrival of the Vantage dispelled any such worries.

Propelling Aston's V8 back into the supercar league was a tuned version of the existing 5,340cc engine breathing through a quartet of 48mm Weber carburettors rather than the standard 42mm instruments. Valves and ports were enlarged and the camshafts changed, the end result being an estimated maximum output of around 375-380bhp - in Rolls-Royce fashion the factory chose not to disclose the actual figure, merely claiming that power was 'adequate'.

In 1978 the V8 Vantage earned the title of 'world's fastest accelerating production car' and throughout its life delivered outstanding performance by any standard, accelerating to 60mph in just 5.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 175mph. With such high speeds attainable, aerodynamic refinements were called for. Thus the Vantage gained a deep front 'chin' spoiler, blanked off front grille and a boot lid spoiler, the latter being bolted on to the earliest cars and later integrated into the bodywork. There were commensurate improvements to the suspension, brakes and tyres.

Its accompanying copy Car Record Card confirms that this home-market V8 Vantage was despatched from Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell works on 12th November 1979 finished in Tourmaline Blue with Fawn leather interior trim. Notable factory features included a wood interior to V8 saloon specification; two detachable headrests; two Rearguard fog lamps; a Blaupunkt Bamberg stereo radio/cassette; and no front grille blanking plate.

The current owner purchased the Vantage at Bonhams' Beaulieu sale in September 2011 (Lot 518). At that time we made the following statements: "Copies of subsequent correspondence with the vehicle also confirm that V8/VOR/12194 was then converted by the Works Service Department from manual to automatic transmission for Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd director Peter Cadbury – one of only three such conversions believed to have been undertaken by Works Service at the time and a full 6 years before automatic transmission was officially offered on this model. Later enhancements include a deep front spoiler, Ronal alloys, a new steering wheel and a Vanquish-style starter button."

"Stamped vouchers in the Service Booklet record services carried out at regular intervals by AML and AVJ from July 1980 at 1695m to October 1990 at 52,695m. More recent services have been undertaken by marque specialists Runnymede (in) September 2005 at 64,445m and by Nicholas Mee (in) November 2006 at 70,140m. While receipts on file detail further work carried out by the workshops of Lincoln Scott, HWM, Waterside Classics and Nicholas Mee including replacement sills 2003, full re-trim in cream hide piped in blue 2005, replacement air-conditioning 2006 and new brake discs 2007. The total mileage of 73,044 displayed when entered is also confirmed by readings from 19 MoTs dating back to 1987/8, the latest being valid until December, while 20 previous tax discs are also present as are a 1978/9 sales leaflet and price list."

Unfortunately, all of the aforementioned documentation is no longer with the car, apart from an old-style UK V5C Registration Certificate. As the car was subsequently exported, an application to retain the registration mark will be required.

The V8 Vantage has been on static display for a number of years and will require recommissioning prior to road use. Please also note the Lot will attract the reduced 5% import tariff if it is to remain in the UK.