LOT 59 Ω

1993 Aston Martin Virage Volante Chassis no. SCFDAM2C5NBL60035 Engine no. 60035

Sold for €55,200 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

Previous Lot

Next Lot

Lot 59^Ω

1993 Aston Martin Virage Volante
Chassis no. SCFDAM2C5NBL60035 Engine no. 60035

The Zoute Sale|10 October 2021, 14:00 CEST|Knokke-Heist, Le Zoute

1993 Aston Martin Virage Volante
Chassis no. SCFDAM2C5NBL60035
Engine no. 60035

• One of only 112 left-hand drive Virage Volantes
• Delivered new to the USA
• Automatic transmission
• One of the rarest of post-war Aston Martins

Please note this motor car is subject to the normal local import tax on Hammer Price and Buyer's Premium, should it remains in the EU.

Bonhams is the guarantor of the customs duties and taxes clearance: consequently, this motor car cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale.

Footnotes

"When the obituary of the Motor Car is written, probably in about seven years' time, I'm sure this design from the pens of British designers Heffernan and Greenley will be remembered as one of the most beautiful front-engined cars ever made. Aston Martin Chairman Victor Gauntlett wanted an evolutionary design, and the boys have done him proud. It's got terrific poise and looks every inch an Aston. In fact, the Virage in its present form is a car of such beauty and visual balance it's going to be a difficult shape to modify." – Rowan Atkinson, Car magazine.

Launched at the International Motor Show, Birmingham, in October 1988, the sensational new Virage restated its Aston Martin V8 forerunner's muscular looks in the modern idiom, contriving to be slightly narrower yet providing increased interior space. The car was still no lightweight, but with 330bhp on tap courtesy of the trusty 5.3-litre V8 engine's new 32-valve top end, was good enough for a top speed approaching 160mph and a 0-60mph time of under seven seconds.

The Volante convertible had been the big seller of the 'old' V8 line-up, so the only surprise was that it took Aston Martin more than two years from the Virage coupé's introduction to come up with a soft-top equivalent. "The Volante is the new soft-top version of the Virage incorporating the latest changes made to the full Aston range. Beautiful hand-built craftsmanship abounds in this most aristocratic of convertibles," declared Fast Lane magazine.

The production Virage Volante debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991, a prototype having been displayed at Birmingham's NEC the previous October. Weighing in at over two tons, the open Volante was even heavier than the closed coupé, itself no lightweight, this increase in weight being accounted for by considerable body strengthening to compensate for the absent roof, plus the extra complication of the power-operated convertible hood.

Electrically powered, the latter was beautifully made and incorporated a glass rear window, complete with heated de-misting elements. Mechanically the Volante remained much the same as its closed cousin, though with slightly lower final drive gearing to aid acceleration through the gears. Top speed was slightly reduced, to a still outstanding 150mph. Automatic transmission was standard on the Volante, the original three-speeder being superseded in 1993 by a new four-speed dual-mode (normal/sport) unit. The five-speed manual 'box continued to be available as an option.

One of the finest British sports cars of its day, the Virage Volante rapidly became a prized collectors' item. Only 112 of these cars were produced in left-hand drive configuration like '60035', making this particular variant of the Virage Volante one of the rarer of post-war Aston Martins. An automatic transmission model, '60035' comes with a copy of its Car Record Card showing that it was built for the North American market and originally finished in Cannock Back with Parchment interior trim and a black mohair hood. Sold via AML of Beverly Hills, the car was first owned by Mr Daniel P Kondos of Milwaukee. The odometer reading at the time of cataloguing is 9,378 miles and, although this cannot be guaranteed, there is no indication that it is incorrect.

Now being offered having been on static display, the car will naturally require recommissioning before returning to the road. Please also note the car will be subject to EU import taxes should it remain in the EU.

Saleroom notices

This lot is offered with an original State of California Certificate of Title; and a photocopy of the purchase invoice dated March 2008. Furthermore, we are pleased to report that the USA Carfax Vehicle History Report is available to view and offered with the Lot. It confirms the mileage in 2005 at 8,982 miles and the current mileage tracks with that original recorded mileage. As a USA specification vehicle, this Lot does not have, and will require, a Certificate of Conformity in order to complete registration in an EU country. Please contact your local registration authority to verify requirements in your region for the purposes of registration.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol (†, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
For Motor Cars and Vehicle Registration Numbers the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the hammer price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% + VAT of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Buyers Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

Import high rate

VAT on imported items at the prevailing rate on hammer price and buyer's premium, if the object remains in the EU. Please speak to the Department or our recommended shippers for further information. BTW tegen het geldige tarief op de hamerprijs en het opgeld zal worden aangerekend als dit lot in de EU blijft. Neem gerust contact op met het bevoegde departement of onze aanbevolen transporteurs voor verdere informatie. TVA sur les articles importés au taux en vigueur prélevable sur le prix d'adjudication ainsi que sur la commission d'achat dans le cas où l'objet reste dans l'Union Européenne. Merci de prendre contact avec le département ou les transporteurs que nous recommandons pour plus d'information.