Background

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage was announced on the 18th February 1977. Revised camshafts, air-box, larger inlet valves and carburettors, new inlet manifolds and different plugs, claimed to provide an increase in power of 40% and 10% more torque. The same ZF 5 speed manual transmission as in the V8 saloon became standard equipment, although a number of cars have been fitted with Torqueflite automatic transmission.  As the Vantage is a development of the standard V8 series 3 saloon, aerodynamic improvements were necessary to cope with the increased power out put. These included a rear tail spoiler, a deep front air dam below the front bumper, blanked of radiator and bonnet air scoop. Koni dampers were fitted and the suspension stiffened, with a larger anti- roll bar. In their April 1978 road test, even Motor Sport had to agree that it was the fastest accelerating production car in the world. The series II Vantage was introduced in October 1978 at the same time as the V8 series IV Oscar India saloon and shares the same changes in body styling. A road test by Motor magazine, April 25th 1981, produced a 0-60 M.P.H. time of 5.2 seconds.  The series III Vantage made its debut at the 1986 Motor Show staged at The National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham, England. It features revised bodywork, 16" wheels and an optional 400 b.h.p. X pack engine.

Vehicle History:

The history file for this car starts with the handsome official warranty document from Aston Martin Lagonda noting its date of delivery, 4th January 1989, to its first owner, Brian Yeardley.  The supplying dealer was JCT 600 in Leeds who conducted the 1,000 mile service in October of that year.  Subsequent services under Mr Yeardley's stewardship were carried out by Works Service, the Aston Martin Lagonda factory at Newport Pagnell.  In August 1992, its second owner, David Hughes, acquired the car through the specialist dealer, Frank Sytner and the service book notes a 20,000 mile service carried out by Aston Engineering of Derby at this time.  Servicing then resumed at Newport Pagnell and, in a letter on file to the original owner dated January 1999, Mr Hughes notes that he has had the car maintained by Aston Martin "regardless of cost".  In April of 1999, the car was sold to its third owner, a Mr Roy Offland of Manchester.  He continued to have the car maintained by Aston Martin then, in August 2004 had them carry out a comprehensive overhaul of the mechanical side of the car as well as the bodywork.  With an investment of nearly £30,000, the car was converted to unleaded fuel.  Known corrosion areas on this model are around the screens and in the vulnerable sill areas.  The sill panels were removed for investigation and corroded areas treated with new panels being fabricated for the lower wing areas and sills.  Additionally, the screens were removed and corroded areas treated as well as minor abrasions being attended to.  The car was then flatted and repainted before re-assembly.  It was shortly after this restoration work, in 2005, that Byron International were first privileged to represent the car and the current owner acquired the car in July of that year after a Road Test and Report from Aston Martin.  Inevitably with Roy Offland having been fastidious about the car, there was only minor items found needing attention  This report remains on file and the current owner has only covered approximately 3,000 miles since acquiring F 753 EBD.  Irrespective of that low mileage, the car has been regularly serviced to manufacturer schedules by Aston Martin specialists, Stratton Motor Company in Norfolk.

Summary:

This is a car that weighs close to 4,000 lbs, yet has a 0-60 time of around 5 seconds and all of this is achieved without the aid of turbo or super charging. This means that the power flow is consistent and flexible. It can be driven at 40 m.p.h. in fifth gear with the engine just ticking over and then take you, in the same gear to the claimed top speed of about 170 m.p.h. - where it is legal to do so.  It is presented in what many consider to be the ideal colour and trim combination for the car and in immaculate condition, with a complete service history.  It is one of the best Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Packs available for sale, it not the best, and has Byron International's highest recommendation.