Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 104 *
Two owners from new 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante 'X-Pack' Chassis no. SCFCV81VOKTL 15794 Engine no. V/580/5794/X
Sold for €310,500 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 104*
Two owners from new
1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante 'X-Pack'
1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante 'X-Pack'
Two owners from new
1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante 'X-Pack'
Chassis no. SCFCV81VOKTL 15794
Engine no. V/580/5794/X
1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante 'X-Pack'
Chassis no. SCFCV81VOKTL 15794
Engine no. V/580/5794/X
• Less than 9,000kms from new
• One of only 166 Vantage Volantes made
• Italian delivery
• Present ownership since 2008
• One of only 166 Vantage Volantes made
• Italian delivery
• Present ownership since 2008
Footnotes
"Anyone wondering why Aston Martin bother to make their own vee-8 when so many big American ones are so cheaply available need take only one look at the performance data... for the best explanation in the world. Whatever the undisclosed output of the Aston V8, it is enough to rocket this heavy car to 60mph from rest in exactly six seconds and to 100mph in only 14.7 seconds. Much more than this, we were able to reach 138 mph from rest in a mile and on the Continent record a mean maximum speed of 161.5 mph." - Autocar, 8 July 1971.
The uprated Aston Martin V8 Vantage propelled it into the supercar league with a tuned version of the existing 5,340cc engine breathing through a quartet of 48mm Weber carburettors rather than the standard 42mm units. Valves and ports were enlarged and the camshafts changed, the end result being an estimated maximum output of around 375bhp. Chassis changes included the adoption of bigger ventilated discs all round and low-profile Pirelli tyres. The Vantage was readily distinguishable from the standard product by virtue of its blocked-off bonnet scoop, blanked air intake, front chin spoiler and lip on the boot lid.
Produced to satisfy demands from the USA, the Volante convertible debuted in 1978, but it was not until 1986 that it became available to Vantage specification, which by this time meant around 400bhp. Along with the Vantage engine and bonnet came flared wheelarches, boot spoiler (a feature the Volante had previously lacked) and extended front spoiler, while skirt extensions replaced the model's hitherto characteristic chromed sill covers. The result was a muscular, aggressive-looking car that could justifiably claim to be the world's fastest convertible, all the more so when it came with the optional 432bhp 'X-Pack' engine. A total of 166 Vantage Volantes had been completed by the end of production in December 1989.
This X-Pack-equipped Vantage Volante was built in left-hand drive, European specification and sold new via Achilli Motors in Italy to the immediately preceding owner. The car was collected from France in November 1996 and kept in a de-humidified environment at Storacar, being maintained as part of their Active Storage Programme. UK registered in 1998, the car was purchased by the current owner at Bonhams' sale at Aston Martin Works Service in May 2008 (Lot 308). It has since been on static display and thus requiring recommissioning prior to road use. At that time the Aston had covered a mere 8,200 kilometres from new and had been seen by Works Service in 2004 and serviced again at Newport Pagnell in March 2008 (copy invoices on file).
Kept in dry storage since acquisition, the Volante is finished in Lichfield Black with black-piped magnolia leather interior and natural/off-white hood. It is offered with copies of the following documents: Certificate of Ownership; Warranty; Bonhams' purchase invoice; Car Record Card; UK V5C Registration Certificate; Storacar declaration; and two MoT certificates (most recent expired 2009).
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volantes with the X-Pack engine are rare enough, but to find an Italian-delivered example with only two owners from new and in such original condition is unheard of.
Please note that if this vehicle remains within Monaco or France, the reduced rate of Import VAT at 5.5% will be applicable on the hammer price. All customs charges will be invoiced and collected directly by our customs agent, Benaim. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, the VAT amount will be calculated based on your registered country's rate and paid directly there. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
Saleroom notices
As a result of a typographical error, please be advised the correct engine number is V/580/5794/XA
Additional information
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| * | Import low rate |
| VAT on imported items at a reduced rate of 5.5% on the hammer price and the prevailing rate on buyer's premium if the item remains in EU. TVA sur les objets importés à un taux réduit de 5.5% sur le prix d'adjudication et un taux en vigueur sur la prime d'achat dans le cas où l'objet reste dans l'Union Européenne. |
