Description
UTAC | Millbrook, Bedford
Viewing: Tues 24th June from 12pm
Auction: Wed 25th June from 9am
Location: Millbrook Proving Ground, Station Lane, Bedford MK45 2JQ
1997 Aston Martin Virage Volante 'Wide-Body'
Just 25, 000 miles from new
Estimate
£58, 000 - £64, 000
Registration No: P521 JNN
Chassis No: SCFDAM2C8TBR69228
MOT: February 2026
1 of only 26 right-hand drive 5. 3-litre Virage Volantes built by the factory with the optional wide bodywork
Warranted just 25, 000 miles from new
Lavished with over £21, 000 of recommissioning by R. S. Williams in January 2022
High specification for a car of this age with heated electric seats, fully adjustable steering column, electric mirrors and an Alpine Hifi system with CD facility
Offered with a large history file including comprehensive service history in the stamped service book, illustrating servicing from Aston Martin agents
The Volante had been the big seller of the previous generation of Aston Martin V8s, so it was surprising that it took Aston Martin more than two years from the Virage Coupé's introduction to come up with a soft-top sister. The production Virage Volante debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 1991, a prototype having been displayed at Birmingham's NEC the previous October. Weighing over two tons, the open Volante was even heavier than the closed coupé, itself no lightweight. This increase in weight is accounted for by considerable body strengthening to compensate for the absent roof, plus the extra complication of the power-operated convertible hood. Electrically powered, the latter was beautifully made and incorporated a glass rear window, complete with heated demisting elements. Mechanically, the Volante remained much the same as its closed cousin, though with a slightly lower final drive. Top speed was slightly reduced also, to a still outstanding 150mph. Automatic transmission was standard on the Volante, the original three-speed being superseded in 1993 by a new four-speed dual-mode (normal/ sport) unit as featured on this particular car.
For those customers who felt the need for more power, Aston's solution, ahead of the forthcoming twin-supercharged Vantage was for the Works Service Department to offer 6. 3-litre conversions for the existing 5, 340cc V8-engined cars. Introduced in January, 1992, this package could cost more than £60, 000 (depending on options) and offered increased power and a menu of modifications to the bodywork, suspension, and brakes. In addition to the expanded wheel arches necessary to accommodate the wider wheels, the bodywork was a lot more dramatic with air dams, spoilers, splitter, flowing sills etc., a bit more Le Mans than Ledbury. It was a good-looking car and inevitably there were customers who admired the racy looks but didn't feel in need of the 6. 3-litres, stiffer suspension and sharper brakes, so the factory developed an option, known internally as the 'Cosmetic Wide-body', which was available on the standard 5. 3-litre Virage soft top. We understand that 26 5. 3-litre Virage Volantes were finished by the factory with this bodywork.
This wonderful rarity seems to have been treated as a collector’s piece almost from day one, having been in single ownership from 1998 to 2022. In all that time, it could only ever have been used sympathetically and sparingly, as the mileage stands at a grand total of just 25, 000. The original registration ‘P1 DPT’ was replaced by the present number in June, 1998.
Painted in a dazzling Oxford Blue, the Cream leather interior complements it beautifully with its blue piping and soft Wilton carpets, and the dark blue mohair hood with beige Alcantara headlining completes the package. Inside, the generous application of rich, high-gloss walnut veneer across the dash and door cappings reassures passengers that the Virage, in spite of its brute power, is still a civilised machine belonging very much to the English luxury-car tradition.
The present owner, who is only the third, has not hesitated to maintain the car and spend money as necessary to keep it in an excellent state of health. The standard Virage was available with 17in OZ split-rim wheels, but the Wide-Bodies obviously demanded a more substantial rim, hence this car comes complete with the rare 10½in-wide variety. These have been “freshly refurbished” at a cost of £3, 600 to a condition described as “like new.” The electric roof is said to be operating just as it should do, and when lowered can be neatly concealed beneath a smart cream leather tonneau cover. In keeping with the luxury theme, the interior contains virtually all the fittings which were considered desirable in a grand-touring car of the 1990s, most of which would still be sought-after options today. These include heated power seats, a fully adjustable steering column, power mirrors and an Alpine high-fidelity stereo with CD player.
When the car last came onto the market in 2021, it had to undergo some recommissioning as it had been out of use in 2017. Accordingly, it was handed over to marque specialist RS Williams which proceeded to put it back on the road at a cost of £21, 000. The Aston has been MOTed annually since January, 2021, and was most recently tested in February of this year, passing with no advisories. All the evidence of this can, of course, be seen in the history file, along with further detailed evidence of maintenance including a comprehensive service history in the service book, which has been stamped by various Aston Martin agents.
With only 26 made, it goes without saying that opportunities for acquiring Wide-Body Virages are extremely rare. Even so, it is our own opinion that this represents one of the best in existence with respect to its originality. The paint is extremely good, albeit with a few very small imperfections, and the interior shows a light patina concomitant with its age, but it is quite outstanding when one considers that the car is 28 years old and has never been restored. Everything from the walnut dash to the carpeted boot is in lovely order, and the engine bay has been kept reassuringly clean. The car ran well when we photographed it and the lusty V8 sounded marvellous. If you have grand-touring ambitions, there cannot be many cars as well suited to the purpose as this Wide-Body is. The current V5C is, of course, present in addition to the large history file.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
