1997 Aston Martin Vantage V550
The unique 'McLaren Carbon Metallic' car

Registration No: P760 YGJ
Chassis No: SCFDAM254VBR70175
MOT: June 2026

• One of just 239 made but the sole example to be painted in special order McLaren Carbon Metallic (the same hue as its first owner's McLaren F1 hypercar)
• Engine overhauled and uprated by the factory to produce 585bhp
• 34,000 warranted miles with substantiating service history (predominantly Works Service)
• A near 190mph machine and more powerful than a Ferrari F40, Jaguar XJ220 or Porsche 959!

Debuting at the October 1992 British Motor Show but not entering production until the following year, the V8 Vantage V550 (and its derivatives) were the last handbuilt Aston Martins. Costing a staggering £177,600 when launched – the better part of half a million in today’s money – each example took 1,200 hours to complete. To put that number into context, Rolls-Royce needed ‘only’ 800 hours to craft a Silver Spirit, while Ford could churn out 150 Fiestas within the same timeframe! More powerful than a Ferrari F40, Porsche 959 or Jaguar XJ220, the Newport Pagnell machine’s colossal outputs - 550bhp and 550lbft of torque - meant that only McLaren’s F1 hypercar could boast more bhp in period. Sharing its roof and doors with the lesser Virage, the V8 Vantage V550 was comprehensively restyled by John Heffernan and Ken Greenley. Featuring six headlights, four ‘grapefruit’ tail lights, front / rear spoilers and side skirts, the model did not want for visual drama. Fitted with six-speed manual transmission as standard, Aston Martin’s performance flagship was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds and 186mph. A front-engined, rear-wheel drive supercar of the old school, it could also accommodate four in leather and wood veneer-lined luxury. Surprisingly nimble given its less than waif-like dimensions, the V8 Vantage V550 was dynamically fine-tuned by triple F1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart (an Aston Martin board member at the time). Equipped with power assisted rack and pinion steering, independent front suspension, a De Dion rear axle (complete with limited slip differential) and what were then the world’s largest disc brakes, the Fixed Head Coupe was soon dubbed ‘the brute in the suit’ and likened to a decidedly talented dancing bear. Fed by twin Eaton M90 superchargers, its 5.3 litre DOHC 32-valve V8 engine ran a conservative 8.2:1 compression ratio and provided prodigious, lag-free grunt almost regardless of rpm or gear ratio. Always destined to be a rarity given the cost and manpower constraints involved, a mere 239 were made from 1993-1999. Bought by captains of industry and celebrities alike, famous first owners included Sir Elton John, Adam Clayton, David Beckham and Halle Berry.

According to the copy factory paperwork on file, chassis 70175 was ordered by James Munroe Esq. via HWM Ltd on November 19^th 1996. The sole Vantage V550 to be finished in special order McLaren Carbon Metallic, it was also specified with Claret leather upholstery, Dark Red carpets, Smoke Alcantara headlining and Charcoal leather rear parcel shelf / dashtop. Reputedly the first example to feature a starter button, the 2+2-seater also boasted a sports exhaust system, traction control and high-level rear brake light. Indeed, the commission was so distinctive that Paul Spires, now President at Aston Martin Works Ltd, clearly remembers speccing the car with Mr Munroe. Initially registered as ‘JSM 52’ on June 1^st 1997, the Aston Martin joined a burgeoning supercar collection which was bolstered the following year by the addition of two McLaren F1s (a road car and a racing GTR). Interestingly, he had the roadgoing F1 repainted from Mercedes Silver to McLaren Carbon Metallic thus matching it to his Vantage V550. Questions about the origin of Mr Munroe’s wealth surfaced after he appeared on the BBC television programme ‘The Car’s The Star’ to discuss the highs and lows of McLaren F1 ownership. It subsequently transpired that he had defrauded his American employers of £2.9 million between 1995 and 1999 (while claiming to have sold his IT company to them and been retained as a consultant). The ‘Brute in a Suit’, like his other prized possessions, was duly seized and sold by the Chiltern Aston Centre during April 2000 for £175,000. A marque enthusiast, the second owner kept chassis 70175 stabled alongside a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 and 1935 Aston Martin Ulster and in a letter on file spoke of it as follows: ‘I have had the pleasure of owning many great cars over the years but have to say that this was, and remains, my absolute favourite’. Returned to Works Service for scheduled maintenance in February 2001, the engine was found to be suffering from an oil leak. Rebuilt under warranty at 15,459 miles with a claimed dyno reading of 585bhp, it was also treated to a new clutch. Issued with a twelve-month warranty when acquired by its third keeper, the renowned enthusiast and former CEO of Guinness Colin Storm, from HWM Ltd on January 31^st 2003 at 23,311 miles, the Vantage V550 spent much of the next thirteen years at his Jersey residence. Part of the vendor’s private collection since then, it has shared garage space with various Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Lagonda cars not to mention other Aston Martins. The service book lists entries at 932, 6,740, 12,960, 15,459, 21,679, 28,058, 30,312, 31,388, 33,790 and 34,158 miles. Being dispatched to Aston Martin Wilmslow for another service in preparation for the sale, chassis 70175 has only covered some 20,000 miles since the factory refreshed its engine. Starting readily upon inspection and sounding magnificent thanks to its optional sports exhaust, ‘P760 YGJ’ remains a thrill for drivers and onlookers alike! Assured a place in marque folklore, any Vantage V550 is a special car but this unique McLaren Carbon metallic machine has an appeal all its own. Offered for sale with book pack, build specification sheet, stamped service book, assorted old MOTs and Tracker paperwork.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737