Footnotes

An entirely new Aston Martin for the 21st Century, the V12-engined Vanquish coupé debuted at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2001 with deliveries commencing a few months later. Styled by Ian Callum, the man responsible for the DB7, the Vanquish was developed with assistance from Aston Martin's parent company Ford using constructional techniques more advanced than those of any contemporary road car. The monocoque tub was made of heat-cured bonded aluminium, braced by a central tunnel of carbon fibre to create a lightweight structure of exceptional rigidity, thus enabling the chassis engineers to develop suspension combining excellent handling and roadholding with unrivalled ride quality.

First seen in the DB7 V12, the 5.9-litre, 48-valve engine developed 460bhp at 6,800rpm, with 400lb/ft of torque available at 5,500 revs. The six-speed gearbox was controlled by F1-style paddles and could be operated in either of two modes: fully manual or computer-controlled automatic, with a 'sport' setting available on both. The inventory of standard equipment included almost everything the discerning connoisseur could wish for, while the performance - 190mph and 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds – placed the Vanquish firmly in the supercar class.

The Vanquish was built in two versions: two-seater and 2+2. A pleasing blend of up-to-the-minute technology and traditional materials, the interior was dominated by an imposing aluminium centre console while also featuring Connolly leather upholstery and Wilton carpeting, emphasising the Aston Martin heritage, for despite its advanced specification, the Vanquish was built like all other Astons before it: one at a time and by hand. Like many of its illustrious brethren, the Vanquish enjoys the distinction of being a 'James Bond' Aston Martin, featuring in the movie Die Another Day starring Pierce Brosnan as '007'.

Offered here is an example of the revamped Vanquish S that superseded the original version in 2004. Chief upgrade concerned the engine, which now produced 514bhp, an output good enough to make the Vanquish S a 200mph car. The previously optional Sports Dynamic Pack of enhanced steering, suspension and brakes came as standard with the Vanquish S.

The vendor saw this Vanquish S in Japan and loved its Old English White colour and contrasting black/red interior. The car was imported after the selling garage had completed some restoration work. Since then the vendor has completed trips to Lake Como and back and, somewhat less exotically, Leeds to Bury St Edmunds, and describes the Vanquish as a great classic drive. Currently showing only 29,000 kilometres (approximately 18,000 miles) on the odometer, the car is offered with a V5C document and current MoT.