Full, meticulous Aston Martin dealer and Works service history
Immaculate condition reflecting mileage
Two owners from new
High specification with desirable colour combination
One of the last V12 DB7s built
Thick history file with detailed history and every invoice
The Appeal
Conceived as a Jaguar, designed as an Aston by Ian Callum, the DB7 is a remarkable piece of automotive art from any angle. It cleverly uses proven Jaguar underpinnings and Aston handcrafted attention to detail to create a highly capable, very desirable GT car in the finest Newport Pagnell tradition.
Between 1994 and 2004 Aston built 7,000 DB7s, of which just 1,786 were Vantage Volantes like this car. Identifiable by their different wing mirrors and distinctive large fog lights, these cars combined the firm’s ultra-smooth 5.9litre V12 with the open top styling popularised by the DB V8 models of the 1970s and 80s.
The DB7 was produced in relatively high numbers for an Aston, so there are plenty about. Evidence of careful ownership and a cloth-of-gold Aston Martin service history help narrow down the field. This car’s vast history file shows that it has both. With a mere 5,708 miles on the odometer it has 13 service stamps, all from Aston Martin main dealers or the Works directly. It is hard to imagine a DB7 with better provenance or fewer miles.
DB7 production ended in December 2004 and this car was first registered in September of that year, so it is a very late model. It is a desirable colour combination, with useful options like a heated screen, Becker satnav, ‘Touchtronic’ transmission and a CD multichanger. The classic car market has, for some years now, been waiting for DB7 values to follow those of older Astons.
The car’s beauty and that hand built V12 engine surely make that a matter of when not if. This seems to be a perfect opportunity to secure a carefully maintained, very low mileage example of the desirable Vantage Volante version before prices ascend. T7yy6yCINVmZjnXjalxYv3z6E9qOW2Eb6EHElrgJ.jpg159.14 KB
The History And Paperwork
Vast and very detailed history file
£11,000 spent at Aston Works in 2021
Full Aston Martin main dealer and Works service history – 13 stamps
12 months MOT with no advisories
Complete set of books and manuals
The Interior
Immaculate contrasting dark and light grey leather front and rear seats
Wood veneers in excellent condition
6 CD multi-changer premium sound system
Tracker fitted
‘Touchtronic’ transmission with steering wheel shift buttons
Heated front screen
Becker satnav
Optional aluminium pedal pads
Where modern Astons favour a more high tech approach to interior specification, the DB7 is much more old school. Here you’ll find a reassuring mix of leather and wood reminiscent of those big DB V8 models of the 1970s and 1980s. You can really sense that craftsmen put it together rather than robots.
This late model DB7 was nicely specified by its original owner with heated and electric two-tone dark and light grey leather seats. The Volante includes two rear seats, although they are mainly there for appearance rather than function. The leather is supple and in excellent, unmarked condition as befits the very low mileage of this car.
The handmade wood veneers are extensive on this car, covering dashtop, door trims and centre console. All are in very good, unmarked condition. The only minor detraction is a small chip on the veneer in front of the passenger seat.
This car was specified with optional heated screen and a Becker satnav as well as a premium sound system with 6CD multi-changer in the boot. Aluminium pedal pads were also added. Aston’s ‘Touchtronic’ transmission, which provides a button shift option on the steering wheel, was also optioned. The car is fitted with a Tracker.
An Aston Martin wind deflector, car cover and umbrella are included in the sale as well as two keys and two remote fobs.
The Exterior
Stronsay Silver paintwork in very good condition
Unmarked 18inch alloy wheels
Premium Bridgestone Potenza tyres fitted all round
Roof tonneau included in sale
The DB7 is one of Ian Callum’s greatest designs and it looks particularly good in the light Stronsay Silver of this late model car.
The design originated in the early 80s as a replacement for the Jaguar XJS, but was cancelled by new owners Ford in 1990. Ford felt that the project scope had become bloated and fuzzy. The design still looked good though so Ford gave it to Aston. Designer Ian Callum waved his magic wand, XJS underpinnings were used to make the whole project financially viable and TWR was commissioned to build what became the DB7.
The V12 models are distinguished by their larger foglamps, which together with the attractive 18inch Aston alloy wheels lend this pretty car a purposeful stance.
Throughout its 10 year life the DB7 was little changed, so this late model is largely the same as those first cars. However, production quality did improve so panel fit and finish tends to be better on later cars. This car appears straight and well assembled, only a small variance in the nose trim around the nearside headlamp indicating that this is a handbuilt, low volume sports car.
The trim on the vulnerable rear side windows, which disappear when the roof is lowered, are the only indication that this is an 18 year old car. Both sides show slight evidence of wear, although this would likely be easily rectified. The Vendor states that there are some stone chips on the front bumper. They are not obviously visible in the photographs, perhaps due to the silver paintwork. Both front headlamps and fog lamps are in clear, undamaged condition and all badging is equally unmarked.
5spd automatic transmission with ‘Touchtronic’ steering wheel buttons
Extensive fully documented mechanical history
13 service stamps from Aston Martin main dealers and Works
Over £11,000 spent in 2021 at Aston Martin Works
The DB7’s V12 engine was specially developed for the car thanks to investment by Aston’s then-owners Ford. It uses some parts from the American firm’s then-new Duratec V6 engine, which has led to the myth that it is little more than two of these engines stuck together.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The V12, which is still used on current Astons, was a ground-up design featuring an all-new block, cylinder head and crankshaft assembly. Each motor is hand assembled in the Aston Martin tradition, as noted on the engine-top badge. Good for 0-60 in 5.2secs and generating 420bhp, it is one of Britain’s truly great engines – smooth, silent and powerful.
The V12 DB7 is, therefore, the one to have because at its heart is a proper Aston motor. But that complexity combined with the bespoke assembly means that when you buy a V12 DB7, service history is critical. Buyers usually expect a full set of Aston dealer or Works stamps, or failing that reputable specialists.
It is hard to imagine how the service history on this DB7 could be better. It’s covered less than 6,000 miles in 18 years yet there are 13 stamps in the book. They are all from Aston main dealers – mainly in London – or direct from the Works. In 2021 the current owner spent over £11,000 with the Works. Besides the stamps the thick history file includes every single invoice for every expenditure on the car, however small. The work covers all scheduled maintenance as well as preventative work recommended by Aston and its dealers. The photographs provide more details on the service history.
Summary
The Aston DB7 is one of the most beautiful British GT cars of the last 30 years. Equipped with the firm’s ultra smooth V12 it presents quite a package.
Less than 1,800 Vantage Volantes left the factory and this was one of the last. The desirable colour scheme is just the first reason to consider this very low mileage example. There’s that remarkable service history, suggesting fastidious previous owners, and then the general condition – save for a couple of tiny marks, this 18 year old car presents much the same as it did the day it left the factory in September 2004.
Classic Astons have been one of the sure-fire investments of recent year. Although many DB7s were built, very good ones like this stand out from the crowd. Whether you buy it to admire it or buy it to enjoy it, this car seems a very attractive proposition.
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.*
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