Lot details Registration No: D7 GBH Chassis No: SCFAA114SK100254 Mot Expiry: T.B.A.
Although Victor Gauntlett had long mooted the idea it to took the arrival of Ford money and TWR Group know-how for a new generation, `small' Aston Martin to become a reality. Introduced at the March 1993 Geneva Salon - albeit deliveries did not start until late the following year - the newcomer had been subjected to more testing and development work than any of the marque's previous models. Indeed under the watchful eye of Engineering Director Rod Mansfield Project NPX (as the nascent DB7 was labelled) got through some thirty prototypes. Based around a steel semi-monocoque chassis the production version was equipped with all-round independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and power assisted rack and pinion steering.
Derived from a proven Jaguar unit, the DB7's 3239cc DOHC straight-six engine boasted four valves per cylinder, Zytec multi-point fuel injection and an Eaton supercharger. Credited with developing 335bhp and 360lbft, it was allied to five-speed manual transmission as standard and reputedly enabled the Aston Martin to sprint from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds and reach 161mph. However, it was the way the fixed head coupe looked, rather than its performance potential, which wowed the public. Styled by Ian Callum, the DB7 has long been regarded as a modern masterpiece. Priced at circa £80,000 the six-cylinder car remained current until 1999 by which time some 1,600 had been sold.
Over the course of its production life the DB7 was finished in some 200 different colour combinations. However, the precious metals livery on this particular right-hand drive example must surely be unique. Determined that his Aston Martin should stand out from the crowd on London's Park Lane, Rome's Via Veneto or Monte Carlo's Casino Square, an Italian Prince (whose extrovert father is rumoured to have partially inspired the making of Federico Fellini's iconic film La Dolce Vita) commissioned the London-based customising firm ALCHEMIST to blanket `D7 GBH' in gold-, platinum- and palladium-leaf. The brainchild of former French art director Jacques Blanc, ALCHEMIST not only employs a team of master guilders and ateliers but also follows a tradition of gilding vehicles which dates back to the Egyptian Pharaohs.
With a mixture of 24ct and 23.5ct gold clothing its bonnet, roof and boot not to mention the palladium and platinum covering its lower body, bumpers and mirrors, work on the high-performance GT took a month to complete. Topped off with a smattering of diamonds to its nose and benefiting from a recent engine overhaul (circa 1,000 miles ago), this dazzling Aston Martin has been on display at Stratstone of Mayfair (September 2008) and the Earl's Court MPH Motor Show (October 2008). The Newport Pagnell based manufacturer has long been synonymous with James Bond and `D7 GBH' certainly looks like something a modern day Auric Goldfinger would drive.
To the interior its grey leather upholstery is complemented by a burr walnut dashboard complete with 24ct gold banding. Riding on alloy wheels shod with Bridgestone tyres, the manual transmission DB7 has apparently been the subject of newspaper and magazine articles in over thirty countries (gracing the pages of Hello! and The Daily Mirror to name but two). Protected by a special satin-finish lacquer or a tailored car cover when not in use, this bespoke Aston Martin is offered for sale with a booklet detailing its customisation and copy DVD relating to its appearance on German Vox TV. Lastly, we have been informed that the prince will be donating a proportion of the successful sale proceeds to charity.
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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