1986 Aston Martin Virage Coupé Prototype

• Unique Lagonda-based Virage development 'mule'
• Completed in October 1986
• Rebuilt by Works Service to full customer specification for the vendor in 1990
• Factory provenance available

Even the most knowledgable of Aston Martin enthusiasts may be forgiven for assuming that the unique car offered here is a two-door prototype of William Towns' Lagonda 'Wedge' four-door saloon, first seen in 1976; whereas it is, in fact, the prototype of the company's mainstream model of the 1990s: the Virage.
As the Virage's general design was based on that of the Lagonda, and the fact that the Virage body existed in scale model form only, it was decided to use a suitably modified Lagonda as the development 'mule'. To this end a Lagonda body was shortened by 300mm in the rear floor pan and completed with a unique two-door body in 'Wedge' style, which went onto the prototype Virage chassis. The prototype's unique coachwork consisted of modified 'pre-facelift' wings, doors and roof, combined with a 'post-facelift' nose and tail. Known as DP (Development Project) 2034 and completed in October 1986, the mule was powered by a standard fuel-injected 5.3-litre V8, which drove via a five-speed ZF manual gearbox.
DP2034 covered many miles during testing while undergoing countless modifications, one of the most significant being the fitting of the production Virage's De Dion suspension in 1987, while that same year the mule received one of the first examples of the forthcoming four-valves-per-cylinder V8 engine. The production Virage made its sensational debut at the Motor Show in October 1989; its job done, DP2034 was consigned to storage in the Service Department.
It did not remain there for long, however, having been spotted by our vendor, an enthusiastic collector of rare and unusual Aston Martins. Tall at 6' 3" in height, he found many modern sports cars too small but not the generously proportioned DP2034. That and the fact that he could have the mule rebuilt to his own specifications, made it an opportunity too good to miss. Early in 1990 the factory gave the project the 'green light' and agreed to completely rebuild the car to full customer specification.
The chassis was stripped down and rebuilt as new, and the suspension replaced with new production Virage components. The final drive ratio was lowered for improved acceleration but the top speed reduced only slightly, remaining at around at 150mph. Ford's Pacific Blue Pearlescent was chosen for the exterior colour, while the interior was fully trimmed to Lagonda standards and the dashboard fitted with simple analogue instrumentation. A new Virage engine was installed and the car duly completed in February 1993.
That same year DP2034 was tested by racer/journalist Tony Dron for Thoroughbred & Classic Cars magazine (July edition, copy available). The same height as our vendor, Dron was highly impressed with both the prototype's generous accommodation and its on-the-road performance: "This is a magnificent machine which rides well at low speed but which handles faultlessly when driven fast... it has that thoroughbred feel which inspires faith and confidence...
"It's that good: a full-blooded, pure-bred delight and that's that."
Head of Aston Martin Works Service, Kingsley Riding-Felce was quoted as saying: "This prototype is particularly significant as it forms the link between Lagonda and Virage and was then the only two-door Lagonda to have been built."
T&CC ended its article with a quote from our vendor: "The end product you have seen and driven. I think it is quite stunning. It is a reflection of the highest craftsmen's skills still available in Great Britain today."
Accompanying documentation includes copies of all correspondence between Aston Martin and our vendor concerning the car's provenance and specification; details of its early service history; service book (one stamp in August 1994 at 1,023 miles; current mileage 1,910 miles); Aston Martin Works' photographic record of the rebuild; and sundry bills. The car has just been lightly serviced by R S Williams prior to sale. 'A unique opportunity' is a somewhat overused phrase, but this historic Virage prototype really is!