1995 Aston Martin Virage Volante

The Bonmont Sale|30 June 2024, 14:00 CEST|Chéserex, Switzerland

1995 Aston Martin Virage Volante
Chassis no. SCFDAM1C2PBL60045

• One of the world's fastest soft-tops back in the time
• Delivered new to Italy
• Automatic transmission
• Recent recommissioning
• Swiss registration document

The Volante convertible had been the big seller of the 'old' V8 line-up, so the only surprise was that it took Aston Martin 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. Weighing in at over two tons, the open Volante was even heavier than the closed coupé, itself no lightweight, this increase in weight being accounted for by considerable body strengthening to compensate for the absent roof, plus the extra complication of the power-operated convertible hood. Electrically powered, the latter was beautifully made and incorporated a glass rear window, complete with heated de-misting elements. Mechanically the Volante remained much the same as its closed cousin, though with slightly lower final drive gearing to aid acceleration through the gears. Top speed was slightly reduced, to a still outstanding 150mph, making the Virage Volante one of the world's fastest soft-tops. Automatic transmission was standard on the Volante, the original three-speeder being superseded in 1993 by a new four-speed dual-mode (normal/sport) unit.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.

This Virage Volante with automatic gearbox was sold new in Italy, mentioned in the service book as 'delivered to the factory', probably received by its first owner at Newport Pagnell and registered in July 1993. In 2003, owned by an Italian, it was in Monaco, having covered more than 10,000 km. The next owner bought it in 2007 with less than 14,000 km on the odometer when it was serviced in September. Specialist Nicholas Mee serviced it in September 2008 at 19,300 km. When it was sold in June 2009 by Oakfields of the UK, the car had covered only 20,943 km, making it part of an important collection where it has been kept in dry storage.

In 2023, the Virage was acquired, imported and registered in Switzerland, where it benefits from a recommissioning at Pegasus Automotive Group SA, the Aston Martin specialist in Geneva, an additional service at Garage du Port in Coppet and a detailing service. The documentation includes recent invoices in Switzerland, its Swiss registration document and some archives, including maintenances at Roos Engineering (CH), British Motors SAM (MC) and Auto Performance (FR).

Footnotes

1995 Aston Martin Virage Volante
Châssis n° SCFDAM1C2PBL60045
Document suisse d'immatriculation

• L'un des cabriolets les plus rapides du monde à sa sortie
• Vendue neuve en Italie
• Boîte automatique
• Récents travaux de remise en route

La Volante décapotable ayant été la version la plus vendue de l'ancienne gamme V8, il est surprenant qu'il ait fallu attendre deux ans après l'introduction du coupé Virage pour qu'Aston Martin propose un équivalent décapotable. La Virage Volante de production fait ses débuts à Genève en mars 1991après qu'un prototype a été exposé au NEC de Birmingham au mois d'octobre précédent. D'un poids supérieur à 2 tonnes, la Volante découverte est encore plus lourde que le coupé, lui-même déjà pesant, le surpoids étant dû au renforcement de la caisse imposé par l'absence de toit plus le système de capotage automatisé. Fonctionnant à l'électricité, celui-ci est superbement construit avec une lunette arrière en verre avec système de désembuage chauffant.

Mécaniquement, la Volante est très proche du coupé sauf un rapport final légèrement plus court pour améliorer les accélérations sur les intermédiaires. La vitesse de pointe est aussi légèrement réduite, mais à 240 km/h quand même, allure qui en fait une des décapotables les plus raoides du monde. La boîte automatique est standard sur la Volante, la trois-vitesses originale faisant place en 1993 à une nouvelle quatre-vitesses bimode (normal/sport). La boîte manuelle à 5 rapports reste disponible en option.

Cette Virage Volante à boîte automatique est vendue neuve en Italie, mentionnée dans le carnet d'entretien comme « livrée à l'usine », probablement réceptionnée par son premier propriétaire à Newport Pagnell et immatriculée en juillet 1993. En 2003, propriété d'un Italien, elle se trouve à Monaco, après avoir parcouru plus de 10 000 km. Le propriétaire suivant l'achète en 2007 alors qu'elle a moins de 14 000 km au compteur lors de sa révision en septembre. Le spécialiste Nicholas Mee l'entretien en septembre 2008 à 19 300 km. Lors de sa vente en juin 2009 par le britannique Oakfields, la voiture n'a parcouru que 20 943 km, elle devient alors pièce d'une importante collection où elle est entreposée au sec.

En 2023, la Virage est acquise, importée et immatriculée en Suisse où elle bénéficie d'un important entretien de remise en route chez Pegasus Automotive Group SA, spécialiste Aston Martin à Genève, d'un complément au Garage du Port à Coppet et d'un detailing. La documentation comprend les récentes factures en Suisse, sa carte grise suisse et quelques archives avec notamment des entretiens chez Roos Engineering (CH), British Motors SAM (MC) et Auto Performance (FR).

Saleroom notices

Please kindly note the original registration documents will be delivered after the auction. Veuillez noter que les documents d'enregistrement originaux seront livrés après la vente aux enchères.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
Buyers Premium and Charges
Motor Cars
15% of the hammer price
The Buyer's Premium applies to each lot purchased and is subject to VAT at the standard rate
Motorcycles & Child's Cars
15% of the hammer price
The Buyer's Premium applies to each lot purchased and is subject to VAT at the standard rate (20%).
Automobilia
28% on first 40,000CHF of the hammer price
27 % of the hammer price of amounts in excess for 40,000CHF up to and including 800.000CHF
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of 800,000CHF
up to and including 4,500,000CHF
and 14% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of 4,500,000CHF.
The Buyer's Premium applies to each lot purchased and is subject to VAT at the standard rate.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.