Aston Martin first teased us with the Vantage at the 2003 North American International Auto Show, leading to a production launch two years later of a car that looked pretty much the same. Not that it was a bad thing – the V8 Vantage was an astonishingly pretty car, penned by Danish-American designer Henrik Fisker and brought to production with barely a visual change.
The car was revealed in production form at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, based on the chassis of the DB9, and sales commenced that September, with prices starting from £79,995 – making it a direct and obvious rival to the Porsche 911.
It was launched with a new 4.3-litre V8 engine developing 385bhp, offering a 0-60mph sprint time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed in excess of 180mph.
Today, they’re up and coming modern classics, with the convenience of feeling fresh and modern to drive, but with the classic cachet of the Aston Martin brand.
First registered in July 2006, R66OMG was registered originally on the number plate you see on it now and the cherished plate will remain with the car when it is sold.
It was kept by its first owner until November 2014 when it was purchased by the current owner. Unfortunately, the owner is now quite poorly and the sale is being handled by one of his best friends who has agreed to find a new home for it on behalf of his family.
The car has an extensive service record, initially with main dealers and subsequently with Bamford Rose, which is one of the UK’s best-respected Aston specialists. The mileage is verified by a fully stamped service book and old MOTs, while expenditure on the car in the current keeper’s ownership runs to in excess of £20,000.bfnBH07AS2YWl72Gk5lMsWo8Jo4n3IZAvfn6yUU7.jpeg1.1 MB
THE INTERIOR
Charcoal leather
Extensive equipment levels
Excellent condition
Inside, the Aston feels pretty special, with heated, electrically adjustable charcoal grey leather seats and its original stereo and climate control console. Everything works as it should and the condition is superb, as you’d expect with a low-mileage car.
Similarly, the boot is clean and well-presented and the original tools are present, while the car contains a plaque stating that it was handbuilt in England and had its final inspection by Aston-Martin employee Mick Freeman. A3LUYg2piXYHMjisyaue8SguqmyBE8Mqlqa874MQ.jpeg1006.02 KB
THE EXTERIOR
Mercury Silver
Superb order
19-inch alloys
Completely standard
Finished in Mercury Silver, which has to be one of the best colours for a Vantage, the car is very smartly presented and sits on a set of superb seve-spoke alloy wheels, offset by sporty red brake callipers.
There are no dents and only a couple of tiny, superficial scuffs, one on the corner of the front bumper and another tiny mark on the front splitter – certainly nothing to detract from its overall terrific appearance.
Under the bonnet is. 385bhp 4.3-litre V8 engine of Aston Martin’s own design. It’s devilishly quick and sounds amazing, while this one has the rarer manual transmission, making it ideal for the purist.
According to the vendor it drives incredibly well with no issues whatsoever, and is fast, responsive and quite refined at cruising speeds. The low mileage should add further peace of mind, especially as the car has always been maintained by Aston Martin specialists.Ajsws8av4LwGfyxnYuG97Euh2MRVdAlX2CBrwIHP.jpeg931.23 KB
SUMMARY
If you’re in the market for a Vantage of this vintage then this one is very hard to ignore, as it’s a superb, low mileage example that has been properly cared for throughout its life. It’s a genuine car that has had just two caring owners and is inarguably one of the best Vantage 4.3s on the market.
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