Originally supplied to US market with lots of documents
THE APPEAL
In many respects, the DB7 is the last Aston Martin to emerge from the brand’s independent era, even though it was developed while Aston was under Ford ownership.
Codenamed Project XX, it was commissioned by Aston’s eccentric and charismatic CEO, the late Walter Hayes, who saw an opportunity to capitalise on a project that had been cancelled elsewhere within Ford-owned brands.
The new ‘Baby Aston’ evolved from the cancelled Jaguar F-Type sports car and was based on a heavily modified Jaguar XJ-S platform, with styling from Keith Helfet, who penned the Jaguar XJ220, and Ian Callum, who went on to be Jaguar’s global head of design.
It was a successful formula. Built between 1994 and 2004, the DB7 became the fastest-selling Aston Martin ever, though production was still carried out by hand at the brand’s Newport Pagnell ‘Works’.
Initially, DB7s all came with a supercharged inline six-cylinder engine, but at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show the V12-engined Vantage was revealed.
Both manual and automatic models were offered with or without a roof, though manuals made up less than 3 percent of sales despite their increased performance and greater sense of drama.
This one’s the rarest combination of the lot – a V12 Vantage manual convertible – or “Volante” in Aston parlance.
The DB7 was supplied new to the US market and was purchased from an American dealer by the vendor, who lives in France. He imported the car himself and has had it maintained by an Aston Martin dealer during his ownership.
Prior to that it was looked after by an independent Rolls-Royce specialist, as well as US Aston Martin dealers in its early life.
It has covered a genuine 19,000 miles from new and has been used occasionally but regularly for all of its life, with annual servicing and maintenance.
Inside, this car is gorgeous, offering an alluring mix of pale cream leathers, carbon fibre details and thick black carpets. The overall condition is excellent, as you’d expect given its mileage. The electric-adjustable front seats work as they should and all seats are beautifully presented.
Indeed, the radio itself is collectible and would probably command four figures if sold separately, even if it does lack functionality in a modern context. It also has a an automatic 6 CD changer in the boot
Aside from some very small paint chips, the Aston presents beautifully with all of its original paintwork and trim. It’s a great-looking car in truly wonderful condition.
There are two sets of wheels supplied. The graphite alloys in the photographs, which were an individual commission by the owner, and a set of standard DB7 alloys.
The mohair hood is excellent and works as it should, while it is also supplied with a tonneau cover.
Officially a 6.0-litre according to the brochure, the DB7 Vantage is actually closer to being a 5.9 – the V12 essentially comprised of two Ford 3.0 V6s melded together to form a V12.
But don’t let that put you off – the unit not only sounds glorious, but it also has a record of being one of the most reliable engines ever offered by Aston Martin.
The DB7 Vantage was essentially the testbed for the V12 Vanquish that arrived the following year and elevated Aston Martin to true supercar territory.
It doesn’t fall far short of a supercar itself.
Quite apart from that beguiling soundtrack (and nothing sounds as good as 12 cylinders on full chat), in manual form it’s a rapid car with a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed allegedly somewhere around 185mph.
As an ultra-rare manual it also feels like a true red-blooded sports car.
This is both a rare and a gorgeous modern classic Aston Martin in a terrific colour scheme.
Its low mileage and impeccable maintenance record are further bonuses.
One for the true collector…
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2002 Aston Martin DB7 V12 Vantage Volante LHD
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