Footnotes

• "With the launch of the new V8 Vantage, the baby of the range and a major boost to production volume, the V8 tag has come to stand for aggression, compactness and driver focus. This is a new type of Aston." Autocar, 29th November 2005.
  
  New indeed. First shown as the AMV8 concept car at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it was clear from the rapturous reception it received and how close to production-specification it appeared, that Aston Martin was going to follow the DB9 with an entry-level model, one aimed squarely at Porsche's 911.
  
  Sure enough, two years later the finished article debuted at the Geneva Salon. Equipped with a Lotus Elise-style bonded aluminium chassis that had already been employed to great effect on the DB9, the Vantage replaced its bigger brother's 6.0-litre V12 with a quad-cam, 32 valve, 4.3-litre V8. Power outputs of 380bhp at 7,300rpm and 302lb ft at 5,000rpm allowed a 175mph maximum speed, with 0-60mph dispatched in 4.9 seconds.
  
  But it was Henrik Fisker's bodywork, rather than the aluminium 'VH' platform or front-mounted V8, that made grown men go weak at the knees. So much so that many dealers claimed to have three-year waiting lists when first deliveries commenced in October 2005. The V8 Vantage is a beautiful car; a modern classic that will undoubtedly be looked back upon as one of the most stunning designs to emerge from the early part of the 21st century.
  
  Wrapped around a rakish two-seat cabin of real elegance and style, the Vantage's taut, purposeful lines helped signal the seriousness of Aston's comeback under Ford management. Hand-built at Aston Martin's Gaydon factory in Warwickshire, current production stands at over 10,000 units, allowing Chief Executive Ulrich Bez to comment recently: "The V8 Vantage is the most successful Aston Martin in our history."
  
  This understated Meteorite Silver example with black leather upholstery was registered in February 2006 and has covered only 9,623km since delivered to Count Alex de Lesseps, passing in July 2006 to his friend Peter Baumberger. The base price when new was CHF.162,000, but this car features desirable options such as the Premium Pro-Logic II Sound System, Bluetooth connection, Tempomat, heated seats, piano black console and TMC satellite navigation. Despite being equipped with the Graziano six-speed manual rather than the Sportshift automated transmission, it's easy to fall into the trap of regarding the V8 Vantage as a grand tourer – a role this Aston rises to with real aplomb thanks to its surprising luggage capacity, cabin refinement and cruising ability.
  
  However, the slender seven-spoke alloys, slotted Brembo brakes and low set driving position tell a different story, particularly at full throttle when the exhaust baffles open, unleashing the vocal, snarling V8. The V8 Vantage is a genuine sports car, something that becomes clear when you look at the structure underneath.
  
  Although the engine is based on Jaguar's AJ V8 unit, all the internals are new and it's dry-sumped, allowing the engine to be mounted very low in the frame, aiding the centre of gravity. Furthermore a rear transaxle layout improves weight distribution, while the aluminium construction is not only light (the Vantage weighs only 1,550kg) but also very stiff.
  
  No wonder it drives so well. Agile and poised, it flows from bend to bend and rarely gets flustered or caught out. The steering is sharp and accurate, allowing the grippy front end to nail a precise line into a corner, while the overall handling balance is pleasingly neutral – this is not a tricky or unpredictable car to drive. It may roll a little but the well contained movement merely serves to demonstrate how hard the car is working.
  
  But that's not what people will remember this Aston Martin for. Great to drive it may be, but the V8 Vantage, a car that's already attracted plaudits and won awards for its design, is destined to be remembered as one of the best looking coupés ever produced by the British car industry.
  
  The Baumberger Collection V8 Vantage is offered with Swiss registration (cancelled) and owners handbook.
  
  
  
  

Auction Notices

• Additional items included with this Lot: first aid kit, navigation CD, battery conditioner & tool kit We have catalogued paperwork and tool kits/accessories as a courtesy to clients but without guarantee. N.B. We have not checked individual tool kits for completeness

---

Category: Motoring / Automobilia

---

Auction terms and conditions