1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack Sports Saloon

• One of only 131 X-Packs made
• Three owners from new
• Present ownership since 2005
• Extensive service history
• Circa 52,000 miles from new

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 of these magnificent cars had been built, 131 of them to X-Pack specification.

One of only seven X-Packs delivered in Salisbury Blue, this pristine three-owner example comes with its original service voucher book and Certificate of Ownership recording its sale on 4th July 1987 to a Mr Arne Hemmingson of London SW7. Mr Hemmingson kept the Vantage until April 2002 when ownership passed to a Simon Master of London SW1. The current (third) owner purchased the Aston in October 2005.

As one would expect of a cherished three-owner example, this Vantage comes with almost full service and maintenance history consisting of numerous MoTs and bills issued by recognised marque specialists including Ian Mason, Nicholas Mee and Aston Workshop (inspection recommended). Carried out on 15th November 2022 at 50,935 miles by Aston Service Dorset, the most recent service included de-glazing the brakes and refilling the air conditioning system.

During the current ownership the Vantage has performed faultlessly on many long-distance journeys through the UK and France, never requiring any outside assistance. It has also been exhibited at numerous classic car shows, never failing to attract favourable attention. With three owners from new, almost full service history and a little over 51,000 miles recorded, there can be few, if any, better examples of Aston Marin's 1980s flagship currently available.