Highlights

Recent mechanical overhaul with well-regarded AM specialist Rikki Cann Ltd
A compelling restoration project in beautiful bright Suffolk red with magnolia leather piped red in magnificent condition
Front page star and featured in Classic & Sports Car article in 2011 (magazine included)
Private plate included: 'J500 AMV' (reads as 5 litre Aston Martin Virage)
Rare factory-fitted sports exhaust
Accompanied by an owner's handbook and ring binder of historic documents

The Appeal

The Virage was one of the last Astons built at the famous Newport Pagnell facility, heralding the end of the firm's handmade era as it geared up for mass-production at the new Gaydon factory. Marketed as a range-topping grand tourer, positioned above the soon-to-be-released DB7, the Virage appealed to true enthusiasts of the marque, seeking a bespoke sports car. Using the trusty Tadek Marek-designed 5.3-litre V8, as used in the previous V8 models, the Virage was bestowed with enormous reserves of torque, ideal for long-distance touring.

In April 1990, shortly after its launch, Performance Car magazine reported “It really does look sensational in the flesh: big and solid looking, ultra-smooth and finely integrated.”

Praise indeed.

This 1992 example offers the opportunity to restore one of these fine cars. It comes with a large history file, original manuals, and even a most apt private plate. In recent months, the Aston has benefitted from a mechanical overhaul with well-regarded AM specialist Rikki Cann Ltd, amounting to £3,640.80. (Full details of the work completed during present ownership are noted under "The Mechanics" below). It remains, however, a restoration project which will require further work before it can return to the road.

It's eminently worth doing, not least because it comes with the rare, original factory-fitted sports exhaust system - which makes that inimitable Marek V8 especially vocal under acceleration.

History and Paperwork

Registered in August 1992
DVLA records 10 previous custodians
Aston owners handbook, historic invoices, service book, old MOTs, photos, V5C, etc
Two sets of keys
Dry stored for past four years by a previous owner
A previous owner had a major service conducted in 2023 by their mechanic: all fluids (differential, brakes, gearbox, engine, coolant and power steering), fuel filter, air filter and wheel bearing seals - as well as an oil change earlier in 2024
Currently SORN, will need an instrument binnacle
Last exercised around private roads in September 2024
Reported mileage c.35,000 miles
It will require restoration

The Condition

Smartly presented inside and out; in good overall condition for its age
Small (Two Pence piece size) bubbling at the top of the offside door
Small crack in the veneer on the offside door capping
Original factory toolkit and spare wheel present
Instrument binnacle currently sitting in a box in boot ready to be recommissioned

The antepenultimate keeper reportedly had the following completed:

Paintwork machine polished
Front/side/rear lenses cleaned and bulbs replaced (front upgraded)
Alloys refurbished and new old stock Aston centre badges
New Avon CR27 tyres at the rear and almost new CR227 at the front
Underside and wheel arches re-undersealed
Air conditioning system updated to current R134a gas

The Mechanics

5.3-litre V8 engine
Automatic three-speed transmission
Rare original factory-installed sports exhaust system
Running, driving but in need of further work

The antepenultimate keeper had the following done by their mechanic:

Steering rack refurbished
Brake system (new flexi lines, new brake fluid, new pads all round)
Ignition system refurbished (plugs and leads)
Electrical work has been carried out to check and replace any corroded connections or relays

Under their brief custodianship, the previous keeper had the following work completed

Cleaning and checking distributors
Engine compression check and tune
Remove front callipers, strip blast and rebuild using new parts
Remove front and rear brakes, skim and refit, plus bleed brakes
Replace tread plates

BEFORE YOU BUY

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✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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