Parchment leather interior with replaced headlining
Substantial history file
Fresh MOT from 17/04
The Appeal
The revival of Aston Martin’s iconic DB nameplate in the 1990s was cause for much celebration when the DB7 launched in 1994, and 1999 was the year in which the DB7 truly achieved its full potential with the launch of the Vantage.
Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, this sensational evolution featured a 5.9-litre 48-valve V12 engine, providing a mind-warping 420bhp and 400lb.ft. Aesthetic differences were limited to redesigned wing mirrors and larger foglamps mounted under the headlights, but that Vantage badge on the tail was doing all the heavy-lifting here: it’s a name that carries a lot of weight with Aston Martin aficionados. And with the V12 engine it deserved, the DB7 Vantage was the supreme grand tourer the model was always destined to be.
The example we have here is a compelling proposition, having had a large amount of money spent in recent years to turn it into a properly usable machine this is no trailer queen or museum piece, it’s a well-equipped cruiser that’s had a thorough chassis overhaul to keep it agile and entertaining in a modern context.
The suspension and brakes have been fully sorted, with the chassis polybushed throughout – and if you’ve never driven a DB7 Vantage before, you’ll be astounded by the manner in which that big-hearted V12 loves to rev. Comfortable, stylish, rapid, and with a substantial file of paperwork, this is a lovely example of the breed.
The History and Paperwork
V5
Original books and manuals
Service book (stamped from new to 2006)
2023 – invoice for £140 – new battery
2023 – invoice for £923 – MOT, welding to nearside sill and floor, rear brakes stripped, cleaned and adjusted
2022 – invoice for £1,114 – oil service, four-wheel alignment, new bonnet struts, high-pressure power steering pipe, rear trailing arms
2020 – invoice for £300 – new headlining
2020 – invoice for £2,151 – oil service, heater matrix radiator and header tank removed and cleaned, thermostat recon, etc
2019 – invoice for £675 – oil service, etc
2017 – invoice for £7,920 – rear suspension stripped, media-blasted and repainted, 4x new dampers and springs, all bushes replaced with polybushes, brakes stripped and refurbished, holes in floorplan welded, dressed and undersealed, front crossmember media-blasted and repainted, new ball joints, anti-roll bar reconditioned, wheelarch inners stripped and stone-chipped, bespoke rear exhaust system (minus silencer) fabricated, new handbrake cable, rear bumper repainted, etc
2017 – full condition report (issues addressed in work outlined above)
2016 – invoice for £2,376 – chassis corrosion remedied, oil service, brakes stripped and cleaned, new battery, etc
2014 – invoice for £1,579 – new power steering reservoir, attention to rear trailing arm mounts and steering mounts
2011 – invoice for £660 – new coil packs, etc
2011 – invoice for £2,370 – dash removed to fix air-con issue, etc
Assorted other invoices for repairs and maintenance
Sheaf of old MOT certificates
Fresh MOT
The Condition
Parchment leather interior
Original alloy wheels with Pirelli tyres
The exterior design of the DB7 has aged very well indeed. With its essential profile informing the aesthetic of the whole model range for the following couple of decades, it’s interesting to consider that this design actually originated in the early days of the Britpop era.
Finished in classic silver, this is an elegant and stylish car to behold, and it presents very well with no notable scuffs or dings, and we can see from the paperwork file that the rear bumper has been repainted. The alloy wheels are tidy, and wear quality Pirelli tyres with decent tread. All of the correct badging and trim is in place (the rear Aston Martin badge hinging correctly to reveal the keyhole behind), and the light lenses and window glass are good.
The cabin is trimmed in parchment leather which all presents well, with just a gentle patination to the front seats. The headlining has been retrimmed. The electric boot release functions correctly, and inside the boot it’s dry and tidy with a full tool kit, space-saver spare wheel and Kenwood CD changer. The lacquer is lifting in places on the carbon fibre cabin trim, but on the whole it’s a well-presented Aston Martin inside and out.
The Mechanics
Polybushed throughout
Shocks and springs replaced
Brakes overhauled
The drivetrain of this car is extremely impressive: that 5.9-litre V12 engine is a true polymath, being at once a subtle and willing cruiser with plenty of low-down torque, and a hysterical banshee on demand. The fitment of the five-speed ZF 5HP30 automatic transmission certainly aids the former element of the character, allowing the Aston to waft with consummate smoothness, and it’s also plainly evident that this car is always ready and willing to play.
The bespoke rear exhaust system has deleted one of the silencers, which gives the engine a delightfully bassy tone – never intrusive or annoying, just an ever-present reminder that you’re driving something potent and special.
The car starts readily and idles evenly, pulling very keenly through the revs, and the transmission shifts smoothly. The ride is very pleasing thanks to the addition of replaced shocks and springs along with those upgraded polybushes, and the refurbed brakes are impressively strong. Indeed, the whole driving experience is eminently impressive.
The vendor informs us that there is some light smoking and a hydraulic tappet noise when the car is started up from cold but clears up once warm . The ABS light is also reported to come on intermittently. In addition to this, the car comes with a fresh MOT from the 17th of April in which a few mechanical advisories are mentioned. Looking at some of these MOT advisories it would appear that a brake service is required.
Summary
The appeal of this DB7 can be easily quantified, and yet the most alluring part is the very essence of the car’s character. On paper, it all makes sense: an original-spec example with good history, in arguably the best possible colour scheme inside and out. The condition is pleasing throughout, and it’s highly enjoyable to drive.
This is, quite simply, an irresistible example of what the DB7 should be – it’s got the right engine, the right specs, and it’s had money spent in all the right places. An eye-catching Aston that’s ready to enjoy.
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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
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1999 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Auto
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