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1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X Pack Manual
Vendor supplied images
*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT C insurance loss in 11/2001 but has since been restored ***
*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT C insurance loss in 11/2001 but has since been restored ***
Highlights
- Often regarded as Britain's first supercar
- One of only 131 factory X Pack cars built in both LHD and RHD configuration worldwide
- This example is one of only 84 RHD factory manual cars
- Finished in Rolls Royce Royal Blue with Tan Connolly hide- AM winged embossed over carpets
- Total mileage 67,000 miles from new and just over 7,000 miles since restoration completion - superb condition
- Extensive service records from new – including original purchase invoice and handbooks on file.
- £10,680 of technical refreshment carried out in 2024 – including fitment of four brand new Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.
- Fitted with the desirable options of raised switches and front armrest.
- Maintained by AML, Desmond Smail, Chicane and Pugsley & Lewis
- Supplied new via agents AM Sales – original engine build by Don Osborne
The Appeal
The X-Pack was born out of necessity. An Aston Martin customer in South Africa wanted his new V8 to be at least a match for his mates in their 911 Turbos. Bigger 48mm Webers, Cosworth pistons, larger inlet ports and higher lift camshafts did the job, pushing power to 420bhp and creating the ultimate V8. This was a big, brutal and British riposte to the upstart German.
Just 131 official X Pack cars were built between 1986 and 1989. They are identifiable by their 580X engine codes. This car has that verification and was one of the last built, first registered in November 1988.
Following an older, high-end restoration it is finished in beautiful dark blue metallic with a lovely tan leather interior. It retains its manual gearbox and is in magnificent condition - the cabin looks like it has never been used.
The history file reads like a ‘who’s who’ of Aston Martin specialists. There is continuous work by the factory, main dealers, Desmond Smail, Pugsley & Lewis, Chicane and Runnymede Motor Company. The car was restored around 20 years ago and has covered just 7,000 miles since. The total mileage is 67,000 from new. Recent work in 2024, totalling £10,689, includes attention to the clutch system, brakes, electrics, servicing, starter motor, a carburettor overhaul and work to the heating and air conditioning system. The car was inspected and checked over to the tune of £4,000 by a classic car specialist in August 2024 prior to sale. Perhaps no surprise then that it carries a long MOT to May 2025 with no advisories.
The V8 X Pack is the ultimate iteration of a very particular type of brutally quick, hand-built Aston Martin. Enthusiasts revere them and this is one of the best.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 4th November 1988
- Extensive history file of over 70 invoices *
- These invoices are from the factory and high-end specialists as detailed above
- Stamped service book to 53,848 miles with 12 entries
- Total mileage of 67,000 miles
- Factory handbook and tractor fob included
- Certificate of ownership dated 11th November 1988
- Various paperwork recording ownership changes
- Photocopies of old V5s and tax discs
- MOT valid to 15th May 2025 with no advisories *
- 6,964 miles showing on last MOT test and now on 7,182 miles
An extensive history file and raft of factory paperwork confirms that this car is a genuine X-Pack model with the 580X engine and correct engine number. It was first registered in November 1988, which makes it one of the last of the 131 factory X Pack cars built.
Recent work in 2024, totalling £10,680:
- Carry out test drive of car
- Remove N/S wheel, wheel arch shield,
- Remove exhaust down pipe,
- Loosen exhaust manifold to gain access to the starter motor
- Remove old starter motor
- Replace starter motor with new Hi Torque motor unit
- Remove N/S sill cover to replace started motor cable from battery to the starter
- Rebuild sill cover
- Modify wiring as required on starter motor,
- Remove carburettors to rebuild with new gaskets
- Find bearings worn on one carburettor, strip carbs
- Ultra sonic clean carbs, rebuild carbs with new gaskets, reset float heights
- Rebuild carbs onto car
- Carry out service including replacing engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter
- Replace both track rod ends
- Replace O/S brake servo
- Replace brake fluid reservoir
- Carry out road test
- Adjust idle jets to improve throttle response
- Adjust seats as required
- Investigate issue with main beam flash, R/H headlight, L/H reverse light, LH side light and hazard lights intermittent
- Note: Found 25A fuse blown fir hazard lights
- Replace fuse and check operation of hazard lights
- Replace bulb and clean connections
- Check operation of reverse lights
- Note: Also found other poor connections at fuse box below glove box
- Clean connections and replace necessary fuses
- Both headlamps now had 12v supply
- Located fault to be a poor connection at in-line bullet connector for earth and earth point to L/H inner wing
- Replace bullet male connector
- Replace earth eyelet on L/H inner wing
- Re connect bullet connectors and check operation
- Replace L/H side light bulb and clean connectors
- Supply and fit new clutch slave cylinder including flexi hose
- Bleed clutch system
- Remove brake master cylinder cover.
- Adjust both clutch and brake pedals closer to driver using the adjustment upon the linkage rod
- Replace all flexi hoses and bleed brake system
- Remove and renew brake master cylinder with service exchange unit
- Bleed brake system
The newly formed Engineering Department, with Arthur Wilson responsible for engine development, responded by proposing a special S.A. spec. engine, essentially the forerunner to the V580X engine introduced in 1985 on the V8 Vantage. Without the constraints of having to certify the engine for production and meet current emission regulations, the engineers were given free reign in their quest for more power.
V8 Vantage "X-pack" - AM saved the best for last, the V580X V8 Vantage. It was to be the Swan Song for the William Towns designed V8 coupe and the most powerful production Aston Martin built in that era.
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage "X-pack", as the final evolution has affectionately become known by owners and enthusiasts alike, it was the culmination of lessons learned over 10 years hand building these atypical "Supercars".
At the heart of any Vantage is its engine, a bespoke masterpiece lovingly assembled by a select few craftsmen with many years of experience. The raw alloy castings were machined in house, with all major components balanced before fitment. In May 1986 a new computerised machining centre was installed for more consistent and efficient preparation of the castings for the V580 X only.
One man was responsible for the engine's complete build process and bench tested it on the factory dynamometer for a minimum of two and a half hours at various pre-determined revolutions and loads. Once set up and tuned to the builders satisfaction, a power curve was carried out with the engine being run up to 6,000 rpm over another hour on the dyno.
To completely build and bench test an engine took 58 man hours, approximately one and a half work weeks. The engine builders kept their own personal records with the power details for each engine they built. Before the engine was fitted to its designated Vantage the builder would fit a brass plaque with his name - in the case of this example 'Don Osborne' gleaming in brass. It was an idea started by Peter Sprague back in 1977 that was loved by the owners and gave the factory workers great pride in their accomplishment.
Top performance 48mm Webers, Cosworth forged pistons, larger inlet ports and higher lift camshafts did the job, pushing power to 420bhp and creating the ultimate V8 engine – a masterclass!
Total production
V8 Vantage "X-pack" - AM saved the best for last, the V580X V8 Vantage. It was to be the Swan Song for the William Towns designed V8 coupe and the most powerful production Aston Martin built in that era.
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage "X-pack", as the final evolution has affectionately become known by owners and enthusiasts alike, it was the culmination of lessons learned over 10 years hand building these atypical "Supercars".
At the heart of any Vantage is its engine, a bespoke masterpiece lovingly assembled by a select few craftsmen with many years of experience. The raw alloy castings were machined in house, with all major components balanced before fitment. In May 1986 a new computerised machining centre was installed for more consistent and efficient preparation of the castings for the V580 X only.
One man was responsible for the engine's complete build process and bench tested it on the factory dynamometer for a minimum of two and a half hours at various pre-determined revolutions and loads. Once set up and tuned to the builders satisfaction, a power curve was carried out with the engine being run up to 6,000 rpm over another hour on the dyno.
To completely build and bench test an engine took 58 man hours, approximately one and a half work weeks. The engine builders kept their own personal records with the power details for each engine they built. Before the engine was fitted to its designated Vantage the builder would fit a brass plaque with his name - in the case of this example 'Don Osborne' gleaming in brass. It was an idea started by Peter Sprague back in 1977 that was loved by the owners and gave the factory workers great pride in their accomplishment.
Top performance 48mm Webers, Cosworth forged pistons, larger inlet ports and higher lift camshafts did the job, pushing power to 420bhp and creating the ultimate V8 engine – a masterclass!
Total production
- 131 V8 V580X Vantage cars were built over 3 years production run.
- 95 RHD
- 84 RHD manual
- 11 RHD automatic
- 36 LHD
- 29 LHD manual
- 7 LHD automatic
Breakdown of production:
- V580X Vantage built: 131
- V585 Vantage built: 6
- RHD: 95
- RHD Manual: 84
- RHD Auto: 11
- RHD Cosmetic: 1
- RHD Cosmetic Auto: 1
- LHD: 36
- LHD Manual: 29
- LHD Auto: 7
- LHD Cosmetic: 5
- LHD Cosmetic Manual: 1
- LHD Cosmetic Auto: 4
- UK delivered RHD: 95 (84 M, 11 A)
- Italy delivered LHD: 12 (11 M, 1 A)
- Germany delivered LHD: 8 (8 M)
- Middle East delivered LHD: 8 (2 M, 6 A)
- Japan delivered LHD: 5 (1 M, 4 A)
- Japan delivered RHD: 1 (1 A)
- France delivered LHD: 3 (3 M)
- Sweden delivered LHD: 2 (2 M)
- Switzerland delivered LHD: 2 (2 M)
- USA delivered LHD: 1 (1 M)
Identifiable by their V580- X engine codes. This car has that verification and was one of the last built, first registered in November 1988.
Following restoration, finished in beautiful Rolls Royce Royal Blue with Connolly Tan leather, matching dark Blue Wilton carpets -the cabin looks like it has never been used.
The history file reads like a ‘who’s who’ of Aston Martin – maintaine by the old guard. There is continuous work by the factory, main dealers, Desmond Smail, Pugsley & Lewis, R S Williams and Chicane post restoration. Restoration completed just over 7,000 miles ago.
Following restoration, finished in beautiful Rolls Royce Royal Blue with Connolly Tan leather, matching dark Blue Wilton carpets -the cabin looks like it has never been used.
The history file reads like a ‘who’s who’ of Aston Martin – maintaine by the old guard. There is continuous work by the factory, main dealers, Desmond Smail, Pugsley & Lewis, R S Williams and Chicane post restoration. Restoration completed just over 7,000 miles ago.
The Condition
- High quality restoration in highly preserved condition
- Very attractive dark blue metallic paintwork with high end finish
- Paintwork presents well with only minor signs of use to note in photographs
- These include a small number of spoiler stone chips and driver’s door edge chips
- Bodywork is in great order with straight panels and well kept sills, arches and panels
- Chromework in good order with bright finish and only a couple of tiny points to note
- Factory correct X Pack features including 16in Ronal alloy wheels - note these are original wheels with wheel locks not reproductions.
- Fitted no expense spared Michelin Pilot tyres recently fitted with invoices detailed above and in photos
- Best trim we have seen on this series of car
- Well-detailed interior including blue Wilton carpets throughout including the boot. Over carpets embossed AM wings.
- Veneers in very good order across doors, dashboard and console
- Switchgear similarly well kept - with raised switches
- Neat details include dark leather-topped dashboard and front and rear seatbelts trimmed to match the tan leather in classic weave
- No advisories on current MOT
There are other GTs but none quite like the elegantly named Aston Martin V8 Vantage X Pack. Its blend of hand-crafted luxury and purposeful, sleek aesthetics could only be from the Newport Pagnell maker and provide a fitting riposte to the clinical engineering coming out of Stuttgart at the time. The Vantage cleverly updated the original William Towns design with a series of integrated spoilers and power bulges that seem to barely contain its energetic character.
The Mechanics
- 5,340cc hand-built 580X specification X-Pack V8 engine delivering 410-420bhp
- Built from the factory with manual 5spd ZF gearbox
- One of 131 genuine factory-built X-Pack cars
- Quartet of 48mm Weber carburettors
- Cosworth pistons, larger inlet ports and higher lift camshafts
- 0-60mph in 5.2secs
- Extensive history file of over 70 invoices and paperwork shown in photographs
- No reported running or driving issues
Genuine X Pack cars can be identified by their 580X engine number. This car has that - it is on the current DVLA and HPI documents and the original Certificate of Ownership supplied by the factory in November 1988.
The history file for the car is incredible. It was maintained by the factory for the first years of its life and then by well-known marque specialists. The file indicates a ‘no expense spared’ approach to maintenance.
The history file for the car is incredible. It was maintained by the factory for the first years of its life and then by well-known marque specialists. The file indicates a ‘no expense spared’ approach to maintenance.
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