Description
This is lot number 139 in the Bonhams Zoute sale on October 6th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
One of the fastest and most powerful supercars of its day
Rare 6-speed manual transmission
Delivered new in France
More than 20, 000 in recent invoices
French registration document
'Brutal' was a word used more than once to describe the fastest Aston Martin ever on its introduction for 1993, but as the Vantage had no less than 550bhp available to propel its two tons, the choice can only be judged fair comment.
After almost 20 years in production, Aston's V8 had been updated for the 1990s as the Virage. A consummate fast tourer, the Virage left room at the top of the range for an out-and-out sports car, hence the Vantage. Although the two models appeared superficially similar, few panels were shared, while beneath the skin the Vantage chassis boasted the kind of extensive re-engineering required to cope with the massive increase in performance. The latter came courtesy of a blown version of Aston's 5, 340cc V8, twin mechanically driven Eaton superchargers being preferred to turbo-charging on the grounds of superior throttle response. Quite apart from its stupendous maximum output of 550bhp, remarkable enough in itself, the Vantage engine is monstrously torquey, producing 550lb/ ft at 4, 000rpm, a figure that made even the mighty Chrysler Viper V10's 450lb/ ft seem puny in comparison. And for those who found 550bhp insufficient, there was the Works Service-developed 'V600' enhancement that brought with it an additional 50 horsepower together with upgrades to the wheels, suspension and brakes.
On test with Autocar magazine, a development Vantage raced to 60mph in a Ferrari 512TR-destroying 4. 6 seconds, reaching the 'ton' just 5. 5 seconds later. The standing kilometre was achieved in 23. 1 seconds with the speedometer registering close to 150mph, and although a true top speed figure proved unobtainable, the Vantage was reported as having already recorded 191mph while on test in France. Its price at launch was as eye-watering as the performance figures: a cool £177, 600. Only 240 were built between October 1992 and June 1999, making the Vantage an exclusive car even by Aston Martin's standards.
This Aston Martin Vantage V550 was initially intended for the German market and was to be painted Buckinghamshire Green. The order must have been cancelled and it was reallocated to Aston Martin Auto Performance in Paris. It was ultimately delivered to the founder of Fashion TV, registered 454 TAC 75, on 30 July 1996. Fitted with the six-speed mechanical gearbox, it is painted Gun Metal Grey and has a passenger compartment that combines beige leather and Alcantara. During the 2000s, the Vantage came into the hands of a Luxembourgish enthusiast, who in 2007 passed it on to a major collector of the marque, who kept it until 2022 and its purchase by its current owner. It then had 34, 853 km on the clock on its return to Paris. Atelier Arès and Atelier 46 were entrusted with the full recommissioning of the car, notably replacement of the oil exchanger and its hoses, replacement of the fuel pumps, refurbishment of the eight injectors, as well as a full overhaul of its brake system and vacuum circuit. Lastly, its coachwork is to be polished before the sale.
While photographing the car for the catalogue, the V550 performed well in a road test. Now with barely 35, 000 km on the clock, this Vantage V550 is one of the rare examples sold new in France, and moreover, is fitted with a manual gearbox.
It will be sold with its up-to-date French registration document (carte grise), a file of invoices, copies of historical documents on Aston Martin, plus its toolkit, owners manual and its Virage Service Vouchers, still in its original blister packaging.
