1996 Aston Martin DB7 Volante Manual
Highlights
- Low mileage 6cyl Volante with extensive service history
- Rare manual gearbox car in desirable colour combination
- Long MOT
- Good bodywork and interior
The Appeal
The DB7 catapulted Aston Martin back into contention with its combination of gorgeous looks and dependable Jaguar-derived mechanicals. Initially available with supercharged 6cyl power it had the performance to match the styling and the open top Volante added an extra touch of glamour to the compelling brew.
Just 3,000 i6 3.2litre DB7s were built between 1994 and 1999 when the V12 arrived, and very few of them were sold with manual boxes. Some suggestions are that the ratio was one manual to every nine autos.
That makes since 1996 manual gearbox car a particularly rare and attractive proposition. It is also attractively finished in Aston Martin Racing Green over cream and with a meticulous and extensive service history. Few cars deliver the sense of occasion of an Aston Martin and this one looks very enticing.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 12th November 1996
- MOT to 20th March 2025 with only 2 miles covered since
- Minor advisories on last MOT to note on records
- The clocks appear to have been changed but the MOT records indicate the replacements were set exactly at or close to the originals when replaced
- Current owner since 5th July 2014
- Vast service history a mixture of Aston Martin main dealers and independent specialists
- Tyres replaced in June 2016 less than 10,000 miles ago
- Wheels refurbished and powder coated in April 2017
- Oil cooler pipes, air con and thermostat attended to by Aston Martin in September 2018
- Cruise control repaired in March 2022
- The original speedometer dial unit will accompany the car when sold
Service history:
- Paramount Aston Cardiff 12-Nov-96 5 Delivery
- Paramount Aston Cardiff 28-Jan-99 1236 Service
- Paramount Aston Cardiff 28-Sep-99 8073 Service
- Paramount Aston Cardiff 17-May-00 10645 Service
- Paramount Aston Cardiff 16-Jan-01 13601 Service
- Stratstone Aston Wimslow 16-Jan-01 13601 Service
- Stratstone Aston Wimslow 24-Oct-01 24064 Service
- Stratstone Aston Wimslow 12-Apr-02 33707 Service
- Stratstone Aston Wimslow 29-Nov-02 40528 Service
- Aston Engineering, Derby 13-Sep-04 48595 Service
- Stratstone Aston Birmingham 10-Feb-06 51256 Service
- Titty Ho Motor Co 06-Nov-07 52117 Service
- Auto Mobile 03-Apr-09 63147 Service
- Mulsanne Motors 13-April-17 Service
- AstonMartin Edinburgh 07-Sept-18 71,932 Service
- Motatec Ltd 09-Feb-21 74422 Service
The Interior
- Stylish cream and green colour scheme in good condition with limited signs of wear
- High specification interior including heated electric seats and air conditioning
- Smart wood veneers in good, unmarked condition
- High quality Sony sound system with radio, CD, auxiliary settings and Bluetooth
- Original clocks replaced with Aston Martin GTS white-backed dials
- Leather dashboard mixing green with cream
- Small rear seats in good condition
- Carpets generally presentable and with protective rubber over mats
- Tonneau cover
- Space saver spare wheel in boot
For the DB7 Aston Martin leaned into the leather and wood styling that had proved such a success with its increasingly luxurious models through the 1970s, 80s and early 90s. Hand crafted and highly appointed, a DB7 interior could only be from Aston Martin.
This 1996 car was clearly neatly specified when new, its green and cream colour theme complementing the paintwork and accented by fillets of wood on the dashboard and doors. It remains in very good, presentable condition with few signs of wear. The indications of age are minor and restricted to some creasing on the driver’s seat base and slight wear to the green pinstriping and a mark in the leather on the driver’s door. .
The leather dashboard is similarly well preserved, likewise the wood veneers and the switchgear. There is an expensive Sony stereo system fitted. The car appears to have had the dials replaced with Aston Martin GTS white-backed ones. Checking the MOT records the vendor informs us that the mileage was correctly replicated across to the new dials when they were fitted. There is a protective cover fitted to the leather-bound steering wheel.
The carpets are in good condition, just some wear in the driver’s footwell visible. The roof headlining is complete and undamaged.
The Exterior
- Clean, straight Aston Martin Racing Green metallic paintwork with no visible corrosion or significant marks
- Stylish 12 spoke factory alloy wheels in good, reconditioned condition with only the front nearside lightly kerbed
- Fitted with Pirelli tyres all round
- Front offside wheel arch trim slightly loose
- Dark green fabric roof appears to work correctly and is in good, undamaged condition
The DB7 began life as a Jaguar styling project to replace the XJS but was ‘Astonised’ by Ian Callum. It is arguably one of the prettiest Aston Martins of recent years, against stiff competition.
The Volante retains the delicacy and glamour of the hard top and fits into a long line of open top Aston GT cars. This car is smartly finished in Aston Martin Racing Green, a colour that seems to particularly suit its lines, with a complementary green fabric roof.
The bodywork is in very good condition, only a small area of corrosion on the offside front wing to note. Otherwise it appears straight and unmarked, not even stone chips or door edge chips detracting.
The car sits on its factory-supplied 12 spoke wheels, which we note were refurbished in 2017. They are in very good condition, only the front nearside wheel being lightly kerbed. They are fitted with Pirelli tyres which we note were supplied about 10,000 miles ago.
The glasswork, lights and badging are complete and in good condition with no visible deterioration.
The Mechanics
- 3,228cc 335bhp straight six engine with supercharger
- Rare 5spd Getrag manual gearbox car
- Extensive service history most recently just over 3,000 miles ago in February 2021
- Long MOT to May 2024 with minor advisories
- Standard car but with uprated Aston Martin sports exhaust for improved sound
For Aston Martin buyers more used to naturally aspirated engines delivering their power through cubic capacity, the original DB7 i6 was something quite new. Its 3.2litre engine was Jaguar-derived but achieved a scintillating 335bhp through supercharging.
This clever combination quickly won over the traditionalists with its combination of reliability and speed. At the time most Aston Martin buyers were after smooth and relaxing GT cars so the majority of DB7s sold were equipped with automatics. The lucky first owner of this Volante clearly thought differently, his choice of 5spd manual enabling him and subsequent buyers to exploit the potential of the DB7’s very capable chassis.
This car dials up the sporting drama with an uprated Aston Martin sports exhaust which we are told provides a fantastic sound.
The AJ6 engine is renowned for its durability but as with any hand-built car it is reassuring to know that there is good service history. This car certainly has that, the lengthy list of main dealer and specialist work attesting to careful, diligent owners.
Summary
The DB7 is one of the prettiest cars of the last 30 years and the Volante broadens its appeal with drop-top versatility. Manual gearbox six cylinder cars were rare when new, which makes this example particularly compelling.
With its attractive colour scheme, long MOT and extensive service history, it seems a great opportunity to indulge in one of these rarified and rewarding British classics.
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