1979 Aston Martin V8 Volante

• One of only 19 manual transmission V8 Volantes
• Warranted 40,000 miles on the odometer
• Almost full service history, all with main dealer or recognised specialist.
• Substantial history file

Described by former Aston Martin Chairman Victor Gauntlett as, 'a stylish thoroughbred, beautifully built, luxurious, fast and immensely safe,' the V8 was built in several variants, one of the more exclusive being the Volante convertible. Introduced in response to customers' demands for such a car, the Volante first appeared in June 1978, a few months before Aston's V8 was upgraded to 'Oscar India' specification. Arguably the ultimate in soft-top luxury, the newcomer boasted a lined, power-operated hood which, when erected, endowed the walnut embellished interior with all the solidity and refinement associated with the saloon version. Although its open-car aerodynamics meant that top speed suffered with the hood down, the Volante's 150mph maximum nevertheless ranked it among the world's fastest convertibles. V8 Volante and Vantage Volante chassis numbers ran from '15001' to '15849', a total of 849 cars.

One of only 19 right-hand drive V8 Volantes built with manual transmission, this example currently displays a total of only some 40,000 miles on the odometer. This relatively low mileage can in part be explained by the fact that the Aston spent some ten years resident in the Channel Islands, there being export documentation on file recording that it had been registered 'FYT 27V' on the UK mainland and was first registered in Jersey on 14th January 1999. The car remained registered in Jersey until March 2009, latterly in the ownership of a Mrs Meriol Arnold of St Saviour, who had acquired it in April 2005. Since then the Volante has been sold twice by Bonhams: at the Grand Palais, Paris in February 2011 (Lot 322) and at the Goodwood Revival in 2014 (Lot 236).

'FYT 27V' comes with extensive service history, mostly with main dealers but some recognised specialists, and only two months ago was serviced by marque specialist Desmond Smail. The vendor advises us that there are a few small, mainly cosmetic, issues that require attention. On the plus side, we are advised that the interior has newly Connollised leather and that the paintwork is shiny, with no flat areas; the woodwork is described as good, while the wheels are original but stripped and polished. Described by our vendor as in generally excellent condition, the car has lived in his six year ownership in a heated garage, it comes with a V5C document, current MoT, a most substantial file of historical paperwork (inspection recommended), and a very decent stereo!