• Manual tranmission
• Converted to 7.0-litre capacity by R S Williams
• Present ownership since 2010
• Dry stored since acquisition
• Requires re-commissioning

Testing an Aston Martin V8 Vantage in 1977, Autocar magazine recorded a 0-60mph time of 5.4 seconds, and estimated its top speed as 170mph, figures comparable with those achievable by a Ferrari Daytona or Lamborghini Miura. For those with a yen for even greater performance there was the factory's optional 'X-Pack' engine (like this example's) which, depending on the state of tune, had up to 432bhp available. By way of comparison, Ferrari's contemporary 12-cylinder Testarossa could only manage a relatively paltry 390 horsepower. The 'X-Pack' engine was first made available in 1986, the engine number suffix changing from 'V' to 'X'.

As the Vantage's mechanical specification progressed so did the coachwork, with wheel arches flaring to accommodate wider rims, increasing the overall width by 2", and 16"-diameter wheels being introduced. Unlike the V8 saloon, which reverted to fuel injection in 1986, the V8 Vantage kept its 48IDF Weber carburettors to the end of production in December 1989, by which time 361 cars had been built.

Copy documents on file reveal that this particular Vantage X-Pack was retailed via Aston Martin Sales Ltd and sold new to one D Donovan Esq of Middlesex, UK. The Car Record Card shows that '12676' was manufactured in right-hand drive configuration (hence the 'R' in the chassis number) and with an MPH speedometer (the car is currently left-hand drive and has a km/h speedometer) while the original colour scheme is recorded as Suffolk Red with Burgundy-piped Magnolia trim.

The Vantage subsequently spent time in Belgium and Germany (see copies of registration papers on file). The service book (stamped between 1994 and 2009) shows that the first service was carried out at the Newport Pagnell factory in February '94 at 198 miles, with subsequent services and maintenance undertaken by recognised specialists, principally Roos Engineering (correspondence and bills on file). In the early 2000s, while owned by a doctor in Germany, the Vantage was at R S Williams' workshops in the UK for conversion to 7.0 litres capacity and the installation of other bespoke upgrades, as evidenced by RSW's detailed invoices on file. Interestingly there is also a letter on file from a previous owner in Germany to R S Williams, mentioning that he believed there was a fuelling problem above 180mph, clearly the car was being used as intended!

The current vendor purchased the Aston from Albion Sports & Collectors Cars of Temse, Belgium in February 2010, since when it has been kept on static display as part of the owner's extensive private collection. Re-commissioning will be required before the car returns to the road.

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 remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% 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 formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.