• One of only 64 LWB Volantes made
• Automatic transmission
• Two owners from new
• Stored since acquisition in 2012
• Requires re-commissioning

The Volante convertible had been the big seller of the 'old' V8 line-up, so it was surprising that Aston Martin took more than two years from the Virage coupé's introduction to come up with a soft-top equivalent. 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. Mechanically the Volante remained much the same as its closed cousin, though with slightly lower final drive gearing to aid acceleration. 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 Automatic transmission was standard on the Volante, the original three-speeder being superseded in 1993 by a new four-speed dual-mode (normal/sport) unit.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.

After spearheading the Aston Martin V8's transformation for the 1990s, the Virage name was dropped during 1995, its place as the 'standard' model being taken by the V8 Coupé. Introduced at the Geneva Salon in March 1996, the new V8 Coupé adopted all of the Vantage's muscular styling cues but retained the normally aspirated, 5.3-litre engine. The latter boasted revised cylinder heads, camshafts, pistons and an improved 'Alpha Plus' electronic engine management system, all of which boosted maximum power by 24bhp over the Virage unit.

Premiered at the London Motor Show in October 1998, the V8 Coupé-based long-wheelbase Volante convertible is one of the most elegant of modern day Aston Martins. Built on a wheelbase not shared with any other V8 Aston, this longer Volante benefited from a 200mm stretch that increased both rear passenger legroom and luggage space. The last production Volantes built at Newport Pagnell, these cars came with a quoted 354bhp on tap; the factory claimed a 0-60mph time of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of over 150mph, making the LWB Volante one of the world's fastest soft-tops. Given the £169,500 asking price, it is perhaps not surprising that by the time production of Aston Martin's long-running V8 ceased in 2000, only 64 of these exclusive, last-of-the-line Volantes had been built compared with 234 of the standard short-wheelbase version.

This example was first registered to Mr Alistair Fulton of Surrey on 1st February 1999, passing via Byron International to the current (second) owner in March 2012, when when it was exported and has since been kept on static display. Recommissioning will be required before this most aristocratic of convertibles returns to the road. Accompanying paperwork consists of copies of the 2012 purchase invoice and the car's old expired UK V5C Registration Certificate (for 'S134 CPD').

Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to stay in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the standard rate of 20% and Import Duty at 10%+VAT on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.