Lot details Registration No: YJ51FVX Chassis No: SCFAB12381K302171 Mot Expiry: T.B.A.
FORMER MUSEUM EXHIBIT
"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.
This particular example was purchased to feature in a James Bond tribute display, but is no longer required. It is finished in Green Pearl with a Green/Tan leather interior and the museum judge the bodywork, paintwork, trim, engine and five-speed automatic transmission of 'YJ51 FVX' to all be "good". The Aston comes complete with current tax and MOT.
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