Lot 133: 1992 Aston Martin Virage

With less than three years between conception and display, the Virage was truly a miracle case for Aston Martin Lagonda.In 1986 A.M.L had a two door Lagonda development car on the road and had also announced a design competition for budding Aston Martin designers. The winners, Ken Greenly and John Heffernan, had created a large, modern GT - with an evolutionary link straight back to the DB4. Reeves Callaway in the US reworked the 5.3 litre V8 engine with four valves per cylinder, Weber fuel injection, a clean exhaust and an output of 330 bhp. By time production got fully underway in 1989, demand was strong as this was the first new Aston Martin for almost 20 years. But recession gripped the world in the early parts of the 1990's; big expensive and thirsty cars such as the Virage had fallen out of favour and production neared 400 before the axle fell in 1994. The last few cars were designated as a limited edition V8 coupe in an effort to find just a few more customers. The Virage has a look of Menace, even when stationery. It sets new standards in speed and comfort. You will not find another car of this capability with such bespoke luxury. Finished in Buckingham green with cream Connolly hide and contrasting brown piping, this well cared for example boasts a near complete Aston Martin service history with supporting invoices. Originally registered in Jersey for the first eight years until it passed on to the current owner and complete with a years MoT and road tax, this sensibly priced car recently came third in the Aston Martin Owners Club Concours D'elegance. High praise indeed!