1990 Aston Martin Virage

Highlights

Stupendously rare model built under the Aston Martin-Lagonda name
Extremely comprehensive history
Very good condition throughout and mechanically sorted
Totally original throughout
MOT expired just this month, no advisories on previous MOT

The Appeal

As with any Aston Martin, quality, style and appeal are top of the game and when they decided to release the Virage this was no exception having been mostly hand built in low numbers, using the best materials.

Equipped with the well known 5.3 Litre V8 that was seen in previous Lagonda and Vantage models the car now had a more up to date 330BHP and oodles of tech for the time.

The example has covered around 45700 miles (based on the service record of 2002 before the VCI failed whilst in storage), it has been subject to recent significant mechanical maintenance to keep the car running as best as possible along with an exceptionally comprehensive service history that has been officially recorded and backed up in personal notations and a plethora of paperwork.

The History and Paperwork

Very comprehensively put together history of servicing and maintenance for many years
Paperwork that backs up long term storage over the winter months
Cat1 alarm fitted aftermarket
No advisories on the latest MOT test document
Original handbooks and service schedule
First registered in August 1990

Despite the car having a malfunction on the odometer, the records of servicing have been well kept and a solid maintenance record to ensure the proper attention to the car has been maintained.

The vehicle comes equipped with an aftermarket Cat1 alarm and has been recently recommissioned with an extensive mechanical checkup in June 2022 covering brakes, vacuum lines, gaskets and fluids.

The Interior

Wonderfully original and in nice condition throughout
Plenty of electronic goodies including electronically adjustable front seats and drivers
Intermittent problem with the electric seat motor
seating memory
Used but well cared for leather and carpets

As with any high-end GT car, plenty of quality leather and deep-pile carpets are the order of the day and this example is exactly that. This Virage has cream leather on black carpets, a classic combination that does not age. All the seats are in decent nick, especially the back ones that have likely seen little use, the fronts have some bolster wear but nothing significant and retain solid shape and could be easily restored.

The black carpets are in a good way and the original mats too, the passenger floor mat needing some attention to retain its long term life. The usual areas affected by age such as the dashboard and headlining are in great order, the headlining having a luxurious finish and appears to have no sagging or staining to note. The dash too appears damage free, trimmed in black leather in places with all the stitching intact.

In the boot, the original spare wheel remains along with the tool kit. Some light staining on the black carpet is there but not something that couldn't be remedied with ease.

All in all this interior is in good, original condition and although a light restoration and detail would bring it up a notch, it is very acceptable and usable just as it is.

The Exterior

Nice original paintwork with beautifully straight panels
Original 5 spoke wheels
Very tidy overall due to extensive time in storage

With very little of note around the whole car, this example does look extremely well in the dark metallic grey it came out of the factory wearing. Due to the body being mostly aluminium, there are only a few minor blemishes under the paint and one small ding that we noted to the rear of the drivers door and some chipping to the door edge, nothing that will greatly affect the integrity of the body work.

Seemingly the more intricate and delicate areas on the exterior such as badges, lenses and trim work are in great order with nothing that we noticed that would detract to any degree from the overall aesthetic condition and appeal. Same too applies to the original 5 spoke wheels which have seen great care and little evidence of kerbing or paint defects to see.

The Mechanics

Excellent comprehensive mechanical overhaul in 2022 ensuring reliability and usability
Reported to drive very well
Very good underside condition
5 speed automatic transmission
330BHP V8 engine

Due to the long term storage from around 2005-2022, this car has a spectacularly tidy chassis and floor pan with only slight surface corrosion in some areas, the rest having a generous coating of WaxOyl to keep things in top notch order.

Pushing a healthy power to the rear wheels through a ZF transmission, this Virage has the credentials to match the looks and sound. This Virage has gone totally unmolested and looking under the bonnet shows a totally original look and very tidy indeed with a plethora of new hoses, leads and clips from the aforementioned overhaul in 2022 and underneath there is evidence of clean brakes and new flexible brake hoses keeping things in check.

A set of tyres would be advised as the ones fitted are presumed to be quite old and would help improve drivability.

Summary

A tidy example of the marque, this Virage is not only rare but a wonderful opportunity to own an appreciating modern classic. With some room for improvement all round, this could be a nice example to entertain a home mechanic to lightly restore and fettle visually to bring the car to a much higher standard, increasing value and desirability greatly or to own a usable daily classic with serious power and gorgeous looks.

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