Power, Beauty and Soul, Aston certainly demonstrated this with their final celebratory edition of their excellent DB7. With only 112 made and just 60 coming to the UK market, the DB7 GTA (and GT) received substantially uprated suspension and a rework of the glorious V12 engine, now putting out 420 bhp and 400 lb ft of torque.

Aesthetically the GTA had the mesh front grille, the vents in the bonnet, a subtle upturned boot spoiler, silver alloy gear lever and dials, new 5 spoke wheels, and 355mm front/330mm rear vented Brembo brakes. 

Now into its 20th year, this example is in fine condition and comes in a fetching Rolls Royce Peacock Blue over half Ocean blue leather and navy Alcantara colour scheme with Black Oak wooden inlays in the interior unique to the GT and GTAs.

 

The Aston has a huge history file with near every invoice and receipt for work completed. It has been looked after by the knowledgeable folk at Stratton Motor Company from 2014 to 2021 and is now taking pride of place in their showroom. It has a valid MOT until 01/12/2023 and is regularly started and run to ensure good working order. 

Also included with the car is the service book and owner’s guide, along with the new car warranty booklet and numerous books on the car’s technical data. There are two sets of keys and a weighty folder of near everything this car has had for the past few owners. The service book has regular service stamps from new in 2003 till 2021 where the pages have ended. These are housed in an attractive black leather-bound binder. The private number plate is also included with the sale of the car and the Aston comes with two sets of keys. 

The owner also reports that they will have the car serviced by Stratton Motor Company prior to collection, for the winning bidder's peace of mind. 

 

This match up of Peacock blue and half Ocean blue leather, half navy Alcantara was only specified on two examples of the GTA making this car one of two in the world in this colour combination. The interior is in fantastic condition too, remarkable testament to Bridge of Weir leather and the careful owners. 

The low mileage and care this car has had speaks volumes in the interior as there is very little to draw your attention to in terms of marks or issues. There is the slightest of wear on the driver’s bolster piping but it’s so minimal, it almost not worth mentioning. Certainly, in a 20-year-old car it’s in remarkable condition and evidences the care and attention this car has received from its owners. 

Elsewhere in the interior, the headlining, trimmed in the same navy Alcantara as half of the seats, is in great condition as are the carpets. The dash is in great shape too with no visible cracks or splits from what we could see, and the Black Oak wooden inlays are all in good condition too. The dial faces are white parchment as opposed to the black ones found in the normal DB7s and the dials in the centre console are silver alloy to match the gear selector. 

Everything is functional in the cabin, including the electric operated seats and the various storage lids all move freely without sticking or squeaks as do the doors. In summary, the Aston remains a luxurious place to be and would serve the next owner well. 

 

We expect you’d agree that this is a stunningly beautiful car, and the design really hasn’t aged badly at all in its two decades on the road. There is very little again to draw your attention too on the exterior showing just how loved this car has been. There are some marks on the passenger side wing mirror, but not detracting from the overall aesthetic of the car. 

The 5 spoke Aston alloys are in great condition, having been refurbished this year, shod in Bridgestone Turanza tyres with plenty of tread left and mounted over those gorgeous, but subtle, silver Aston branded callipers. The Brembo slotted brake discs on the GTA not only provide ample stopping power, but the addition of Teves antilock system ensures you'll be able to stop just as quickly as you can accelerate. 

Glass, lights and trim around the car are in good condition with no chips, cracks, hazing or pitting from what we could see. This Aston has the attractive addition of a large bore Quicksilver Stainless Steel exhaust system, fitted during the current owner's time with the car. Quicksilver's data suggest this increases power by 15 bhp. 

Aston expertly designed the GTA to improve on the already good looking base model to produce a car that was distilled brilliance in its final celebratory form. Additions include the upswept, integrated bonnet spoiler, something which had a big impact on the performance of the car and the automotive design world. There are also muscular bonnet vents to allow the mighty V12 to breathe and release some of the pent up heat in the bay area. 

Aside from the boot spoiler there were some other chassis improvements afforded to the GTA with a smoothed underside, steel stiffening, improved steering location as well as using the better brake booster from the Vanquish to aid those large Brembo brakes arrest momentum. Aston partnered with legendary Lotus engineer Ken Miles on the GTA and these improvements are his interventions resulting in a 50% increase in downforce and a 20% improvement in suspension and handling. 

 

Mechanically the Aston is working well, with a quick glance at the history showing that this car has not wanted for anything during its time. Regular, intentional servicing and any work that needed doing being commissioned in a timely manner, means that you can safely assume the innards of that mighty Cosworth built V12 engine should be in good health. To further add to this, the owner has had all 12 coils and spark plugs replaced during their time so starting on the button every time is not an issue. 

The car has a semi-automatic gearbox with buttons on the steering wheel to change manually and during the short test drive we saw the car take, all gears engaged without fuss and the garage reports the driveline to be in good health too. 

The DB7 has the ZF 5HP-30 semi-automatic gearbox with option for either button operated or gear lever operated sequential manual change, as fitted in Rolls Royces, top of the range BMWs and Astons of the period. The owner reports that his gearbox has the best of both worlds, having taken the car over to Spain a few times. The auto option comes into its own in traffic, when you need to sit back and relax and the sequential manual option really bringing the car to life on the open road when your right foot is getting a little itchy. In standard auto mode, the gearbox holds the engine in the lower revs but when sport mode is engaged, the gearbox ups the revs, putting you right in the power-band for easy overtakes and quicker acceleration.

There is not much to be seen in the way of wires, pipes or tubing in the engine bay as much of it is hidden with plastic shrouding but from what we could see, there wasn’t anything that rang alarm bells. No signs of fluid leaks or any damage, just 12 intake sections and some plaques that highlight the car’s rarity. 

 

A fantastic car in fantastic condition, coupled with its rarity and impeccable service history file, we think this Aston is a prize and would make a lovely addition to anyone’s collection or even an excellent choice for any Aston fan out there. There is very little to highlight in terms of issues and the car presents fantastically both aesthetically and mechanically.


Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.

UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.