Description
Although Victor Gauntlett had long mooted the idea, it took the arrival of Ford money and TWR Group know-how for a new generation, ‘small’ Aston Martin to become reality. Unveiled at the March 1993 Geneva Salon the DB7 had been subjected to more testing and development work than any of the marque’s previous models. The long awaited V12-engined DB7 Vantage was introduced at the Geneva Salon six years later.
The styling had been transformed by its original designer, Ian Callum, and the chassis featured completely new front and rear suspension and more powerful Brembo brakes, and the model was available with either a six-speed close ratio manual gearbox or five-speed automatic unit with the jewel in the newcomer’s crown being the 6-litre 420bhp engine nestling under the bonnet – the first V12 unit ever to power a production Aston Martin.
Most cars were offered with a 5 speed automatic gearbox, but this one of the very few delivered with the 6 speed manual gearbox. The combination of Vantage Volante specification, and manual gearbox, makes this car a very interesting Aston Martin for the discerned collector.
Delivered new in Holland and with only two previous owners, this is a fine driving GT car which is also a promising investment for the future.
