Highlights

Recent mechanical overhaul with well-regarded AM specialist Rikki Cann Ltd
A compelling restoration project in beautiful bright Suffolk red with magnolia leather piped red in magnificent condition
Front page star and featured in Classic & Sports Car article in 2011 (magazine included)
Private plate included: 'J500 AMV' (reads as 5 litre Aston Martin Virage)
Rare factory-fitted sports exhaust
Accompanied by an owner's handbook and ring binder of historic documents

The Appeal

The Virage was one of the last Astons built at the famous Newport Pagnell facility, heralding the end of the firm's handmade era as it geared up for mass-production at the new Gaydon factory. Marketed as a range-topping grand tourer, positioned above the soon-to-be-released DB7, the Virage appealed to true enthusiasts of the marque, seeking a bespoke sports car. Using the trusty Tadek Marek-designed 5.3-litre V8, as used in the previous V8 models, the Virage was bestowed with enormous reserves of torque, ideal for long-distance touring.

In April 1990, shortly after its launch, Performance Car magazine reported “It really does look sensational in the flesh: big and solid looking, ultra-smooth and finely integrated.”

Praise indeed.

This 1992 example offers the opportunity to restore one of these fine cars. It comes with a large history file, original manuals, and even a most apt private plate. In recent months, the Aston has benefitted from a mechanical overhaul with well-regarded AM specialist Rikki Cann Ltd, amounting to £3,640.80. (Full details of the work completed during present ownership are noted under "The Mechanics" below). It remains, however, a restoration project which will require further work before it can return to the road.

It's eminently worth doing, not least because it comes with the rare, original factory-fitted sports exhaust system - which makes that inimitable Marek V8 especially vocal under acceleration.

History and Paperwork

Registered in August 1992
DVLA records 10 previous custodians
Aston owners handbook, historic invoices, service book, old MOTs, photos, V5C, etc
Two sets of keys
Dry stored for past four years by a previous owner
A previous owner had a major service conducted in 2023 by their mechanic: all fluids (differential, brakes, gearbox, engine, coolant and power steering), fuel filter, air filter and wheel bearing seals - as well as an oil change earlier in 2024
Currently SORN, will need an instrument binnacle
Last exercised around private roads in September 2024
Reported mileage c.35,000 miles
It will require restoration

The Condition

Smartly presented inside and out; in good overall condition for its age
Small (Two Pence piece size) bubbling at the top of the offside door
Small crack in the veneer on the offside door capping
Original factory toolkit and spare wheel present
Instrument binnacle currently sitting in a box in boot ready to be recommissioned

The antepenultimate keeper reportedly had the following completed:

Paintwork machine polished
Front/side/rear lenses cleaned and bulbs replaced (front upgraded)
Alloys refurbished and new old stock Aston centre badges
New Avon CR27 tyres at the rear and almost new CR227 at the front
Underside and wheel arches re-undersealed
Air conditioning system updated to current R134a gas

The Mechanics

5.3-litre V8 engine
Automatic three-speed transmission
Rare original factory-installed sports exhaust system
Running, driving but in need of further work

The antepenultimate keeper had the following done by their mechanic:

Steering rack refurbished
Brake system (new flexi lines, new brake fluid, new pads all round)
Ignition system refurbished (plugs and leads)
Electrical work has been carried out to check and replace any corroded connections or relays

Under their brief custodianship, the previous keeper had the following work completed

Cleaning and checking distributors
Engine compression check and tune
Remove front callipers, strip blast and rebuild using new parts
Remove front and rear brakes, skim and refit, plus bleed brakes
Replace tread plates

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]

Comments

Trinity••••

seller

3 hours ago

Yes ..it is with the car

Lovalot••••

10 hours ago

This car was previously offered and SOLD on C&C quite recently. At that time it was being offered with the faulty instrument cluster. So is this still with the car? Why is the car back on auction again? Did it turn out to be too much of a project?

4 hours ago

Thanks…But what about the instrument binnacle? Is it still with the car?