Description
This is lot number 540 in the Bonhams Beaulieu Sale on September 14th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
One of only 94 cars built with the Sports Dynamic Pack (SDP)
Two owners from new
Maintained and improved regardless of cost (bills available)
MoT to June 2025
This particular Vanquish has the desirable Sports Dynamic Pack (SDP). Principal changes over the standard car were to the chassis, suspension and brakes. The front upright and wheel assembly was made stronger and stiffer with shorter springs (reducing the ride height by 5mm) and revised dampers. In addition, the steering was more highly geared and was 20% quicker than previously. The front brake discs were increased to 378mm in diameter, with six-pot callipers replacing the four-pot items. The easiest way to identify an SDP equipped car is the lightweight nine-spoke wheels and brake discs with an elliptical groove pattern. The SDP Vanquish was only available for a few months before being replaced by the V12 Vanquish S. It is believed that only 94 were made, so a rare beast then!
The current owner acquired the Vanquish from Bonhams (On The Market) auction on 24th April 2022. The Vanquish had been bought new by the previous owner's company, which gifted it to him on his retirement. With old age creeping up on him, the Aston was taken off the road in 2014 and stored. With the intention of selling the car, a no-expense-spared recommissioning had been started in 2022 to make the Vanquish ready for a new home.
Upon acquiring the car our vendor took it to Harwoods Aston Martin in Chichester to be inspected and any necessary work carried out. At 37, 831 miles Harwoods carried out the following:
Oils and filters
Re-gas of climate control
Replaced front lower and upper arms and bushes
Replaced rear upper arms
Replaced both front track-rod ends
Replaced offside rear track-rod
Replaced rear drop-links
Replaced radiator hoses
Four new Yokohama Tyres
Following completion of the basic essential work by Harwoods at a cost of £10, 922, the current owner took 'V12 TDB' to the highly regarded Aston Martin specialists Vantage Engineering to complete a detailed assessment of the car and undertake a mechanical overhaul to ensure it was in peak mechanical condition and operating at peak performance. The works carried out by Vantage Engineering were extensive and tightly focussed to ensured that 'V12 TDB' is a joy to drive. Works carried out included:
Rebuilding of semi-automatic paddle-shift gearbox
New twin-plate clutch
New stainless steel exhaust system
New high-performance floating brake discs all round
While the clutch and exhaust were out of the car the opportunity was taken to underseal it. The total cost of the works was £21, 287. The result of all this expert attention is that this SDP Aston Martin Vanquish (one of only 94 produced) is almost certainly the finest driving and handling example available today. For long-distance fast touring it is arguably without parallel.
