Lot 341: 1977 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Saloon

With the introduction of the Series 4 standard saloon, known by the sobriquet �Oscar India� at the factory, the higher performance Vantage version was similarly upgraded to �Series 2� specification, the first production chassis �12040� being sold in October 1978. Prior to the �Oscar India� Vantage�s introduction, this car, �chassis number 11870�, had served as the prototype for this improved model, incorporating rear wing and boot lid styling modifications, new bonnet and front air dam. (The front air dam was subsequently changed to the production Vantage specification following wind tunnel testing). �VNK 349S� was raced to victory by both Ray Mallock and Dave Morgan at the AMOC�s St John Horsfall meeting at Silverstone in 1978, competed there again the following year and took part in the �Beaujolais Run�. �11870� was retained by AML�s Engineering Department as a development vehicle, being upgraded with much of the equipment fitted to later production models, until sold by the works at their own auction in 1981 (Lot 121).
Re-registered �BSE 88�, the car subsequently belonged to John Holdsworth of Aberdeen, who acquired it in March 1982. The Vantage was purchased in January 1984 by well-known historic racer, the late David Heynes, during whose ownership it benefited from considerable expenditure at marque specialists Pugsley & Lewis and R S Williams. Bills on file for the period 1989 to 1996 total in excess of �13,000, including an unleaded engine conversion by RSW. The car was sold by Mrs Heynes in 2003 having been refurbished prior to sale by RSW at a cost of �12,000.
A Mr Tombolis then owned the Vantage for one year before passing it on to vendor in 2004. In December of that year a total of �11,000 was spent with Pugsley & Lewis on servicing and repairs to the sills and bodywork. More recent work has included a service and air conditioning overhaul in February 2006, and a service, steering overhaul and braking system upgrade in January 2007, when AP racing discs, calipers, pads and hubs were fitted at the front. Pugsley & Lewis were responsible for all of the foregoing, and related bills totalling �13,600 are on file. In addition to the aforementioned invoices there are 15 expired MoTs with the car, which appear to support the circa 70,000 miles recorded on the odometer. Finished in Storm Red with black leather interior, this important and historic Aston Martin prototype is offered with current MoT/road fund licence and Swansea V5.