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Details
1987 ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE VOLANTE
Registration No. E610 KYH
Chassis No. SCFCV81V4 HTR 15596
Engine No. V/580/5596/X
Winchester blue with dark blue hood, and magnolia interior.
Engine: V8, 5,340cc, fuel injection, 400bhp at 5,800rpm; Gearbox: five speed manual; Suspension: front, upper/lower control arms, coil springs, rear, De Dion axle, trailing arms and coil springs; Brakes: hydraulic discs front and rear. Right hand drive.
What is so deeply impressive about the Vantage is this relentless, bull-like charge. It just goes on and on, up through the gearbox until, likely as not you'll run out of road or out of nerves before it's even beginning to run out of steam.' Performance Car White Noise-Vantage Volante, Road Test, June 1987.
The Vantage debuted in 1977, some five years after the V8 model had arrived, an unusually lengthy delay for Aston Martin when compared with earlier models. This was in fact more a result of the changes in the company structure and financial instability, rather than a long period of development for the higher performance derivative.
By 1977, it had been clear for some time that the V8 could ably cope with an increase in horsepower, and the Vantage powerplant now increased standard performance by forty percent to 380 bhp. This was achieved through revised camshafts, larger inlet valves, and a completely redesigned airbox that fed quadruple Weber IDF downdraught carburettors mounted on a new special manifold. Virtually all of the first Vantages were produced with ZF five speed manual transmission, as on Lot 17 as there were fears of the effect that this power would have on the automatic 'Torqueflite' box. Externally the new model could be identified by a number of features. There was a spoiler fitted to the boot as a separate piece, and a combination of blanked-off radiator grille, bonnet vent and deeper front air-dam were intended to create a better throughflow of cooling air underneath the car, and completing the package was re-modelled firmer suspension utilising Koni dampers.
These factors all combined to provide Aston Martin with a car that they could rightfully claim to be the fastest production car in the world. Such marketing naturally encouraged the press to prove them wrong, but as the blistering road test figures were recorded at well under 6 seconds for 0-60mph and a final speed of approaching 170mph, they began to concede that this was perhaps the case. But one must also consider that the cars it would have been compared to were of a far different configuration, i.e. usually lightweight two seater or two plus two, and the performance in speed and handling that was achieved by the Aston amazingly could be experienced by four persons in comfort. It was these characteristics that the V8 Vantage was founded on.
The Vantage was first updated in line with the fourth series of V8 models, this change being principally a cosmetic development in incorporating the boot spoiler as part of the bodywork, but mechanically it remained the same, only with slightly increased torque, until 1986.
Alongside the standard V8 and Vantage models, the tradition of a convertible Aston Martin was continued from 1978, with a new Volante. From its outset, Aston Martin were adamant that an open version of the Vantage would not be built, principally due to concerns over its safety at high speeds. It was not until 1986 that the company relented and in October that year, the Vantage Volante model, as offered for sale, made its debut. Combining the latest third series Vantage specification engine of some 400bhp, with the attractive lines of the Volante model, it was most notable cosmetically by the introduction of moulded skirts along the full side of the bodywork sills, wheel arches and spoilers. As with the coupé, Aston presented one of the world's fastest true four seater cars available on the market, though now it was convertible too!
The newest of four Aston Martins to be offered from the collection, this car was ordered new by Elton John, from the Aston distributor of Sloane Street, London, in October 1986, and delivery was taken in September 1987. It is a rare manual version of the Vantage Volante.
Since then, the convertible has covered 9,545 miles from new, to the date of inspection by Christie's. This mileage has included use in the South of France, contemporary press photographs confirming the car to have been in St. Tropez in 1992 as illustrated. Following one summer in the South of France when it had picked up a number of stone chips, the front of the car was repainted.
The Aston is as originally supplied, and has been continually maintained throughout its life under the guidance of Weybridge Automobiles, who have themselves enlisted the services of local Aston specialists R.S. Williams. The most recent service was carried out in October 2000 at 9,512 miles.
Current MoT certificate, road tax, handbook and service schedule are offered with the car, and a modern Sony Stereo is fitted.
Aston Martins have a special place in Sir Elton John's heart. Although this car isn't the first Aston he's owned, Sir Elton told us that an Aston Martin 'was the first great car' that he bought, adding 'once you've driven a great car you never want to go back to second best'.
Derek Baulcombe, Elton John's driver remarked that 'he tends to use his Astons and sports cars for quick runs up to the football and back on the M25.'
John Newman, Elton John's fleet manager, told us that this car has been down to the South of France on a few occasions. He loves the subtle colour of this model and the distinctive sound of Aston Martins, commenting that this car 'purrs with a slight vroom'
Registration No. E610 KYH
Chassis No. SCFCV81V4 HTR 15596
Engine No. V/580/5596/X
Winchester blue with dark blue hood, and magnolia interior.
Engine: V8, 5,340cc, fuel injection, 400bhp at 5,800rpm; Gearbox: five speed manual; Suspension: front, upper/lower control arms, coil springs, rear, De Dion axle, trailing arms and coil springs; Brakes: hydraulic discs front and rear. Right hand drive.
What is so deeply impressive about the Vantage is this relentless, bull-like charge. It just goes on and on, up through the gearbox until, likely as not you'll run out of road or out of nerves before it's even beginning to run out of steam.' Performance Car White Noise-Vantage Volante, Road Test, June 1987.
The Vantage debuted in 1977, some five years after the V8 model had arrived, an unusually lengthy delay for Aston Martin when compared with earlier models. This was in fact more a result of the changes in the company structure and financial instability, rather than a long period of development for the higher performance derivative.
By 1977, it had been clear for some time that the V8 could ably cope with an increase in horsepower, and the Vantage powerplant now increased standard performance by forty percent to 380 bhp. This was achieved through revised camshafts, larger inlet valves, and a completely redesigned airbox that fed quadruple Weber IDF downdraught carburettors mounted on a new special manifold. Virtually all of the first Vantages were produced with ZF five speed manual transmission, as on Lot 17 as there were fears of the effect that this power would have on the automatic 'Torqueflite' box. Externally the new model could be identified by a number of features. There was a spoiler fitted to the boot as a separate piece, and a combination of blanked-off radiator grille, bonnet vent and deeper front air-dam were intended to create a better throughflow of cooling air underneath the car, and completing the package was re-modelled firmer suspension utilising Koni dampers.
These factors all combined to provide Aston Martin with a car that they could rightfully claim to be the fastest production car in the world. Such marketing naturally encouraged the press to prove them wrong, but as the blistering road test figures were recorded at well under 6 seconds for 0-60mph and a final speed of approaching 170mph, they began to concede that this was perhaps the case. But one must also consider that the cars it would have been compared to were of a far different configuration, i.e. usually lightweight two seater or two plus two, and the performance in speed and handling that was achieved by the Aston amazingly could be experienced by four persons in comfort. It was these characteristics that the V8 Vantage was founded on.
The Vantage was first updated in line with the fourth series of V8 models, this change being principally a cosmetic development in incorporating the boot spoiler as part of the bodywork, but mechanically it remained the same, only with slightly increased torque, until 1986.
Alongside the standard V8 and Vantage models, the tradition of a convertible Aston Martin was continued from 1978, with a new Volante. From its outset, Aston Martin were adamant that an open version of the Vantage would not be built, principally due to concerns over its safety at high speeds. It was not until 1986 that the company relented and in October that year, the Vantage Volante model, as offered for sale, made its debut. Combining the latest third series Vantage specification engine of some 400bhp, with the attractive lines of the Volante model, it was most notable cosmetically by the introduction of moulded skirts along the full side of the bodywork sills, wheel arches and spoilers. As with the coupé, Aston presented one of the world's fastest true four seater cars available on the market, though now it was convertible too!
The newest of four Aston Martins to be offered from the collection, this car was ordered new by Elton John, from the Aston distributor of Sloane Street, London, in October 1986, and delivery was taken in September 1987. It is a rare manual version of the Vantage Volante.
Since then, the convertible has covered 9,545 miles from new, to the date of inspection by Christie's. This mileage has included use in the South of France, contemporary press photographs confirming the car to have been in St. Tropez in 1992 as illustrated. Following one summer in the South of France when it had picked up a number of stone chips, the front of the car was repainted.
The Aston is as originally supplied, and has been continually maintained throughout its life under the guidance of Weybridge Automobiles, who have themselves enlisted the services of local Aston specialists R.S. Williams. The most recent service was carried out in October 2000 at 9,512 miles.
Current MoT certificate, road tax, handbook and service schedule are offered with the car, and a modern Sony Stereo is fitted.
Aston Martins have a special place in Sir Elton John's heart. Although this car isn't the first Aston he's owned, Sir Elton told us that an Aston Martin 'was the first great car' that he bought, adding 'once you've driven a great car you never want to go back to second best'.
Derek Baulcombe, Elton John's driver remarked that 'he tends to use his Astons and sports cars for quick runs up to the football and back on the M25.'
John Newman, Elton John's fleet manager, told us that this car has been down to the South of France on a few occasions. He loves the subtle colour of this model and the distinctive sound of Aston Martins, commenting that this car 'purrs with a slight vroom'
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.