Footnotes

• With the resurrection of the 'Vantage' name in 1977, Aston Martin enthusiasts everywhere breathed a sigh of relief; previously applied to high-power versions of the DB six-cylinder cars, it had been dormant since the V8's arrival back in 1969. A heavier car than its six-cylinder predecessor, the V8 suffered as emissions legislation became ever more strangulating, leading to concern that Aston Martin's traditional performance image might be lost. The arrival of the Vantage dispelled any such worries.
  Propelling Aston's V8 back into the supercar league was a tuned version of the existing 5,340cc engine breathing through a quartet of 48mm Weber carburettors rather than the standard 42mm instruments. Valves and ports were enlarged and the camshafts changed, the end result being an estimated maximum output of around 375-380bhp - in Rolls-Royce fashion the factory chose not to disclose the actual figure, merely claiming that power was 'adequate'.
  In 1978 the V8 Vantage earned the title of 'world's fastest accelerating production car' and throughout its life delivered outstanding performance by any standard, accelerating to 60mph in just 5.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 175mph. With such high speeds attainable, aerodynamic refinements were called for. Thus the Vantage gained a deep front 'chin' spoiler, blanked off front grille and a boot lid spoiler, the latter being bolted on to the earliest cars and later integrated into the bodywork. There were commensurate improvements to the suspension, brakes and tyres.
  In 1986 an optional upgraded 'X pack' engine with 432bhp on tap was made available, the engine number suffix changing to 'X' from 'V'. As the mechanical specification progressed so did the coachwork, with wheel arches flaring to accommodate wider rims, increasing the overall width by 2", and 16"-diameter wheels being introduced. Unlike the V8 saloon, which reverted to fuel injection in 1986, the V8 Vantage kept its 48IDF Weber carburettors to the end of production in December 1989, by which time 361 cars had been built.
  This Aston Martin V8 Vantage was first registered in August 1982 by a Mr Offland of Wright & Offland Ltd, Manchester, passing to the current (second) owner in 1988 at 50,555 miles. Over the course of the past 23 years only some 8,500 miles have been added to the total, which now stands at 59,000. 'AFA 44Y' was maintained by Ian Mason up to 1998, then by marque specialists Portfield Sports Cars in Chichester and currently is looked after by Harwoods of Pulborough, who carried out the most recent service in April 2011. Finished in Sebring Blue with fawn/beige interior, the car is offered with sundry service invoices, current road fund licence, MoT to the end of 2012 and Swansea V5 document.
  

Auction Notices

• Please note the MoT on file for this car expires April 7 2012.

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Category: Motoring / Motor Cars

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