Lot details
Registration No: T.B.A.
Chassis No: SCFAB1236YK300106
Mot Expiry: T.B.A.

"For the record, the Aston Martin Symphony for 12 cylinders and 2 exhausts is the sweetest sound on tuned pipes this side of J.S. Bach himself . . . If Venus were to come calling as a GT coupe, she'd look like this" (Car and Driver, September 2000).

Introduced at the March 1999 Geneva Salon, the Vantage version of Aston Martin's landmark DB7 broke with marque tradition by using a wholly different engine rather than a punchier version of its sister car's existing powerplant. A joint effort between Ford's Research and Vehicle Technology Group and Cosworth, the newcomer's 'heart' was a 5935cc 48-valve, all-alloy, 60-degree V12 that developed 420bhp and 400lbft. Initially available with a choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission (and from 2000 a 'Touchtronic' semi-auto system), the DB7 Vantage was a seriously fast car; the manual variant recording 0-100km/h in 5.0 seconds, 0-100mph in 11.4 seconds and a 185mph top speed. To cope with such performance, the bulkhead and transmission tunnel were specially reinforced thus boosting torsional rigidity, while the suspension was uprated with new wishbones at the front and an additional link to the rear not to mention stiffer springs and gas-filled Bilstein dampers. Further benefiting from power assisted rack-and-pinion steering and massive ABS-backed vented disc brakes, the 2+2 seater was notably refined; Autocar commenting that: "The Vantage outguns and outbrakes its junior sibling and is much more comfortable into the bargain" (April 1999). Asked to rework his masterpiece, stylist Ian Callum added a reshaped back bumper, more pronounced sills, combined driving lamps / indicators and horizontal bars to the radiator grille. Priced at £92,500, Aston Martin's flagship came with central locking, electric windows / mirrors, traction control, ABS, air-conditioning, front airbags, alarm / immobilizer and 18-inch alloy wheels as standard. Notable as the marque's first V12 production model, the DB7 Vantage lasted until 2003 by which time some 2,385 coupes had been made.

Finished in Aston Martin Racing Green with Cream / Green leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "good" condition with regard to its engine, six-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, bodywork and paintwork. Said to be "effectively a one owner car" on account of the fact that "the initial registered keeper sold it on for a hefty premium after only a few days", the coupe is warranted to have covered just 33,000 miles from new. Reportedly "maintained by the Works Service department at Newport Pagnell until 2005 when the owner moved to the Dordogne, France!" we are further informed that his decision to sell was "due to the cost of conversion for permanent use on the Continent". Boasting a sports exhaust system and very rare factory rear light conversion which is reputed to have cost £8,000, this gorgeous V12 Aston is worthy of close inspection.