Lot 275: 1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 6.3-Litre Saloon

“Ettore Bugatti once contemptuously dismissed W O’s magnificent blower Bentleys as ‘the fastest trucks in Europe.’ No doubt if Le Patron were alive today he would view the Aston Vantage in a similar light. Everything about the car is massively engineered, from the alloy V8 engine, to the steel chassis, to the suspension and brake components, to the huge Pirelli P7 tyres.” - Car Australia.

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 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.

This car, left-hand drive chassis number ‘12538’, is an example of the Series 3 Vantage first introduced in October 1986 and featuring revised bodywork and 16”-diameter wheels. It is fitted with the full 6.3-litre engine (an option first made available by Aston Martin in 1992), large-bore exhaust system and upgraded suspension. The car was sold new in Italy to the current owner and has covered 6,980 accident-free kilometres in total. Finished in Salisbury Blue with dark blue-piped parchment leather interior, it is presented in excellent condition in every department and offered with valid Monaco Carte Grise and Contrôle Technique. An exceptional and definitive V8 Vantage.

Ce modèle conduite à gauche portant le no. de châssis ‘12538’ est un exemplaire des série 3 Vantage avec une carrosserie modifiée et des jantes 16”. Cette Vantage est équippée du V8 6.3L (option proposée par Aston Martin à partir de 1992), d’un échappement sport et de suspensions spéciales. La voiture fut vendue neuve en Italie à l’actuel propriétaire qui n’a parcouru que 6,980km depuis sans accident. Dans sa livrée ‘Salisbury Blue’ avec un intérieur crème et passe-poil bleu, cette Aston Martin Vantage est présentée en excellente condition à tous points de vue et viendra avec ses documents d’immatriculation monégasques et contrôle technique. La version ultime du modèle V8 Vantage.