Footnotes

• 'Anyone wondering why Aston Martin bother to make their own vee-8 when so many big American ones are so cheaply available need take only one look at the performance data... for the best explanation in the world. Whatever the undisclosed output of the Aston V8, it is enough to rocket this heavy car to 60mph from rest in exactly six seconds and to 100mph in only 14.7 seconds. Much more than this, we were able to reach 138 mph from rest in a mile and on the Continent record a mean maximum speed of 161.5 mph.' - Autocar, 8 July 1971.
  
  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 had 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 units. Valves and ports were enlarged and the camshafts changed, the end result being an estimated maximum output of around 375bhp. Chassis changes were minimal apart from the adoption of bigger ventilated discs all round and low-profile Pirelli tyres. The Vantage was, nevertheless, readily distinguishable from the standard product by virtue of its blocked-off bonnet scoop, blanked air intake, front chin spoiler, and lip on the boot lid.
  
  Produced to satisfy demands from the USA, the Volante convertible debuted in 1978, but it was not until 1986 that it became available to Vantage specification, which by this time meant around 400bhp. Along with the Vantage engine and bonnet came flared wheelarches, boot spoiler (a feature the Volante had previously lacked) and extended front spoiler, while glassfibre extensions replaced the model's hitherto characteristic chromed sill covers. The result was a muscular, aggressive-looking car that could justifiably claim to be the world's fastest convertible, all the more so when it came with the optional 432bhp 'X-Pack' engine like this example. A total of 166 Vantage Volantes had been completed by the end of production in December 1989.
  
  Judged by colour, condition, specification and performance, this stunning car is quite simply the best-presented Vantage Volante we at Bonhams have ever seen. Chassis number '15779' was sold new via Marshall's of Cambridge to first owner Peter Hoskins of BCC Cambridge Ltd. The car has covered a genuine 15,400-or-so miles from new, as evidenced by the accompanying stamped service booklet and expired MoTs. Servicing has been undertaken by Aston Engineering and latterly by Works Service, there being plentiful correspondence with the latter on file. Repainted in its original Rolls-Royce Balmoral Green livery at Works Service in 2002, the car is trimmed in green-piped parchment leather, with dark green carpets and matching hood. While in the preceding owner's possession the Volante was fitted with a ZF four-speed automatic transmission, using factory parts, by JD Classics.
  
  The current owner purchased the Aston at Bonhams' Works Service Sale in May 2011 (Lot 341). While in the vendor's care the car has benefited from a no-expense-spared approach to its upkeep, there being numerous invoices on file from Aston Martin Works for routine servicing, maintenance, and numerous improvements totalling many thousands of pounds (inspection recommended). Works carried out include replacing both brake servos; installing an AP Racing six-pot brake calliper upgrade; replacing the air conditioning compressor and re-gassing; and upgrading the interior with a DAB radio, Alpine satellite navigation module, Bluetooth adaptor and iPod connection. In addition, the interior woodwork has been refurbished by Spray Tec Restorations and the seats and steering wheel partially re-trimmed by Elite Coach Trimming (bills on file).
  
  Described by the vendor as in excellent condition, this beautiful Vantage Volante X-Pack is offered with the aforementioned extensive service history, current MoT, and a V5C registration document.

Saleroom notices

• Please note that the registration for this car is being retained by the vendor. Please note that this car does not come with a current MoT. Please note that the original manual transmission for this car is not included in the sale.