Background

The Vanquish had a controversial birth. It had been given a big build up in time for its UK debut at the 2000 Birmingham Motor Show, but it created more headlines by not appearing at the NEC. It was reported that Dr Ulrich Bez, the Chief Executive of Aston Martin, was unhappy with the fact that the Vanquish was using dashboard air vents from a Ford Ka. Despite the quality of the parts, he was not prepared for a £164,000 flagship supercar to share parts quite so obviously with a £7,000 shopping special. It reflects Aston Martin's approach to the Vanquish - it was a flagship model designed to compete with the Ferrari 550 Maranello, a car that Aston Martin forensically examined to understand the quality standards required.

Stylist Ian McCallum's elegant body design work on the Vanquish adds muscle and aggression to the previously svelte lines. Employing a low volume hand built construction process, the car's chassis was of composite aluminium bonded, for reasons of strength, around a carbon fibre transmission tunnel. Extruded aluminium bulkheads were riveted and bonded to the floor pan with single piece composite side panels. A pillars made from braided carbon fibre around a honeycomb centre, the engine, steering and front suspension were mounted on a sub frame crafted from the same materials and bolted to the front bulkhead.

The ancillaries were mounted on a deformable composite crash structure with a similar structure providing for rear impact and aluminium bars allowing for side protection on collision. The flat underside of Vanquish tunnels into venturis generating down force and better high speed stability. The external coachwork was produced using a new process known as superforming (super-plastic-forming) and pressed aluminium. This involves bringing the composite to a liquid plastic state and pouring the product over moulds with air pressure employed to control the final shaping. These aerospace quality panels are finally bonded to the composite structure by hand to ensure perfect fit and finish and protected with eight coats of paint.

New 10J x 19 forged alloy road wheels were shod with specially developed Yokohama tyres and braking was by four piston Brembo callipers biting 335mm gross drilled discs to the front and similar to the rear with a Teves ABS system and engine management control traction to the rear wheels. Tyre pressures were designed to be electronically monitored.

8 Connolly hides and 129 square feet of Wilton carpet in each car, maintained focus on comfort and quality while the use of high tech, hand finished aluminium accentuates the performance environment. Driver and passenger seating was by Recaro with full electric adjustment and heating. Sophisticated climate control was fitted as standard along with other useful driver's aids such as, auto dimming rear view mirror, rain sensitive wipers with a heated windscreen, remote controlled central locking with boot release with an alarm and immobiliser. The rear cabin could be trimmed to form two rear seats.

Developments to the old DB7 Vantage's 48-valve 6.0-litre V12 engine generated a 7% increase in power and a 2.5% increase in torque. The 450bhp developed will propel the 1820kg Aston from rest to 60 in under 4.5 seconds before reaching a maximum speed in excess of 190mph.

Summary:

This is a well maintained example of a true British Supercar. It offers outstanding performance and represents an outstanding opportunity to acquire what is acknowledged as a modern classic at a modest price.

It is highly commended by Byron International as an exceptional market opportunity.

Vehicle History

A copy of the V12 Vanquish Build Log retained on file, shows that the assembly process on 500168 started on 7th December 2001. Noting the serial numbers for the factory fitted audio system, phone system and satellite navigation, the log notes that the car was released from production on 22nd January 2002 just one day later was released to the original dealer, JCT 600 of Leeds.

JCT 600 maintained the car to manufacturer's recommendations for the original owner before the car was acquired in April 2005 by Carringworth Ltd, a business based near Shoreham on Sea in Sussex. Aston Martin specialist maintenance of the car, including fitting a new clutch with Magnetic Sensors, continued under Harwoods of Chichester who in March 2008, resold the car to the current owner.. A change of circumstances means that the car was then offered back to the market through Byron International with the benefit of an unexpired portion of Aston Martin Pre Owned Vehicle Extra Cover Warranty.

It was purchased by a Monaco resident in December 2008 and he has enjoyed the use of the car ever since but has now asked Byron International to offer for sale having covered just under 5,000 miles during his ownership of the car. The Aston's maintenance has been continued by British Motors, the Principality's Aston Martin agent.