Description
This car is Lot 146 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 11 July, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Thursday 10 July from 09:00 until 17:00 and Friday 11 July from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Lot 146
1991 Aston Martin Virage 6. 3-Litre Coupé
Registration no. not UK registered
Chassis no. SCFCAM1S9LBL50089
First registered in Monaco
Left-hand drive
Two owners from new
Present ownership since 2005
Used sparingly
Recent extensive recommissioning
"We wanted a car that was a new form. Fresh, exciting, purposeful but unquestionably Aston Martin," explained Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Victor Gauntlett on the Virage's arrival, while stressing: "It was important that, although new in virtually every way, the Virage was of evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, design. It has to be a car that could stand in line with every post-war Aston Martin and be the self-evident successor to that tradition."
After almost 20 years in production, Aston's well liked V8 was updated for the 1990s as the Virage, body design being entrusted to Royal College of Art tutors Ken Greenley and John Heffernan. The existing Lagonda chassis and suspension were used in revised form for the new car, while engine development was entrusted to Callaway Engineering, of Connecticut. Immensely strong, the old V8's bottom half was retained but fitted with new cylinder heads boasting four valves per cylinder and hydraulic tappets. Launched at the International Motor Show, Birmingham, in October 1988, the sensational newcomer re-stated its Aston Martin V8 forerunner's muscular looks in the modern idiom, contriving to be slightly narrower yet providing increased interior space. The car was still no lightweight, but with 330bhp on tap courtesy of the trusty V8 engine's new 32-valve top end, was good enough for a top speed approaching 160mph and a 0-60mph time of under seven seconds.
Ahead of the company's forthcoming twin-supercharged Vantage, Aston Martin's Service Department offered 6. 3-litre conversions for the existing 5, 340cc V8-engined Virage. Introduced in January 1992, this package increased power by around 40% while incorporating improvements to suspension and brakes - now featuring ABS for the first time - and could be ordered new or retro-fitted to customers' existing cars.
This left-hand drive Virage was first registered in Monaco to the preceding owner, a Monaco-based surgeon, in March 1991 (Monaco title on file). The car is to full 'wide body' 6. 3-litre specification, incorporating that package's special suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres, as well as the ultra-desirable six-speed manual gearbox. In addition, it has the full Sony TV/ video/ music system. Our vendor - its second owner - purchased the Virage from Bonhams in 2005 at which time it had covered 18, 000 kilometres from new. Finished in green with green-piped beige leather upholstery and grey leather trimmed dashboard, it has since formed part of an exclusive collection of Aston Martins in Yorkshire and has been used sparingly.
The Aston benefits from recent extensive recommissioning, undertaken by Richards of England Ltd, to include refurbishment of the suspension, brakes, vacuum system, servicing, new tyres, etc at a cost of some £ 14, 000. The related bill is on file and the car will also have 12 months MoT by the time it arrives at Goodwood.
Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
