Background

Following three years of intense development, Aston Martin chose to unveil their new car for the nineties and beyond, at the International Motor Show in England on the 18th of October 1988. Called the Virage it was one of the sensations of the show attracting enormous public and media attention. The engine, based on the well tried and tested all alloy V8 designed by Tadek Marek with its racing pedigree, was heavily revised. Entirely new cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder (last used by Aston Martin in 1921-2) for better breathing and to overcome power losses inevitable with the use of catalytic converters. This is so the engine can run on unleaded fuel anywhere, in effect it is a “worldwide” engine compatible with all markets. Development of the new four valve heads was in the hands of renowned experts, Callaway Engineering of Connecticut, United States.

The chassis was designed in conjunction with the Cranfield Institute of Technology (one of the leaders in aerospace technology). It is torsionally stiffer, lighter and less complex that that of its predecessor, the V8. The body, in true Aston Martin tradition is aluminium hand beaten by skilled craftsmen to a design by John Heffernan and Ken Greenley. “From the outset we felt that the car should be an evolutionary successor to the DB4, 5, 6 and V8,” said Heffernan. The front spoiler incorporates an aerodynamically shaped under tray, while the rear features a boot lip spoiler, each combining to produce zero lift. Glazing is flush throughout.

This car was supplied new by Aston Martin franchised dealer, JCT 600. It has a documented service history, as detailed below, by the supplier and Aston Martin franchised dealer, Lancaster Sevenoaks, who inspected the car for the present owner. He purchased it in August 1997, and at that time set out to by the best available in the market place. Hopefully, anyone viewing this car today, will agree that its present condition indicates he was successful in his quest. The options include Vantage wheels under slightly flared wheel arches, and a high level centre brake light. The Vantage wheels and flared arches, help give the appearance a little more assertiveness than the standard car, without being excessive. The price of the equivalent new V8 Coupe today is approximately £130,000. Therefore, at £45,000, this car must represent excellent value for money.