Highlights
- Only 44,600 miles from new
- Full service history to Nov 2021
- In current ownership for 11 years
- Extraordinary condition throughout
- Fresh MoT will await the new keeper
The Appeal
There are few cars that make you feel more like an international man of mystery than an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante.
With 420bhp on tap, the 6.0-litre V12 engine produces phenomenal acceleration and sounds amazing when pressed hard.
With 420bhp on tap, the 6.0-litre V12 engine produces phenomenal acceleration and sounds amazing when pressed hard.
Effortlessly quick, raffishly handsome, with a pedigree that harks back to Auric Goldfinger, everybody knows that this is the car that 007 would select as his automotive weapon of choice.
The good news is that you no longer need a secret agent’s salary to afford one. Read on…
The good news is that you no longer need a secret agent’s salary to afford one. Read on…
History and Paperwork
- Just four keepers
- Exceptionally well maintained
- V5 certificate in current keeper’s name
The DB7 was produced by British luxury marque Aston Martin from September 1994 to December 2004 and offered in coupé or convertible (Volante) body styles. Designed by Ian Callum (Jaguar’s X-Type, F-Type, i-Pace, etc.) and Keith Helfet, the DB7 prototype debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1993.
The AM DB7 was the highest produced Aston Martin, with 7,091 built before it was replaced by the DB9 late in 2004. The omnipotent DB7 V12 Vantage Volante as offered here was introduced at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show.
This particularly fine Vantage Volante received its first UK registration in May, 2004. In the intervening 18 years it has been driven just 44,500 miles by four keepers, the most recent of whom has enjoyed the car for over 11 years. A bad back which inhibits easy entry and egress triggers its very regrettable sale.
Accompanying the sale will be the V5 certificate in the current keeper’s name, various Owners Manuals including the fully-stamped Service Record book, two keys and a file of past service and maintenance invoices.
Its current MoT expires in November 2022, but a fresh MoT will await the new keeper.
Its current MoT expires in November 2022, but a fresh MoT will await the new keeper.
The Interior
- Presents in excellent condition, no noticeable blemishes
- Very tidy ‘Arctic Blue’ and contrasting ‘Parchment’ leather
- Features burr maple veneer trim inserts
Inside you’ll find all the creature comforts that you’d expect from an Aston Martin. There are swathes of plush Parchment leather across the front and rear furniture, which is trimmed with dark blue piping.
Dark ‘Arctic Blue’ leather clads the dashboard and door cards which expertly contrasts the lighter ‘Parchment’ seating. Splashes of what seems to be burr maple veneer trim highlight the dashboard, centre console and door cards.
The floorpan is covered in rich blue carpetry which is in excellent order. The chunky, dual-tone steering wheel features a co-ordinated burr maple insert to its upper circumference.
The floorpan is covered in rich blue carpetry which is in excellent order. The chunky, dual-tone steering wheel features a co-ordinated burr maple insert to its upper circumference.
As is the car’s raison d'être, the soft-top appears to have been lowered quite often – and to be fair, that’s a great thing to enjoy. However, while the headlining of the soft-top roof appears in good order, it would benefit from a spring clean to enhance its appearance. The same may be said for the sun visors.
The audio equipment is the original high-spec Becker Mexico system (branded Aston Martin), paired to a boot-mounted Becker Silverstone 6x-CD changer.
There is also a Nokia CK-7W Bluetooth phone kit but the vendor is unsure if it still works.
There is also a Nokia CK-7W Bluetooth phone kit but the vendor is unsure if it still works.
The Exterior
- Presented in ‘Solent Silver Metallic’ (AST1102)
- Paintwork in excellent order
- Brightwork and badges in excellent condition
- Correct 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels
Handsomely presented in the original colour of ‘Solent Silver Metallic’ (Code AST1102), this striking DB7 Vantage Volante is an achingly beautiful example of its kind.
The correct, factory-spec 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels appear in good condition all-round and are fitted with a healthy set of Bridgestone Potenza S-02 tyres.
At the front, the headlight and fog lamp lens covers are crystal clear and show no hint of UV-bleaching. The same may be said for the rear light clusters. The brightwork and badges around the car are in excellent condition and a glance down each flank shows no evidence of collision damage.
Commensurate with the car’s age and low mileage, there are very few minor blemishes to the exterior and both notable ones are pictured in the gallery below.
The Mechanics
- Features the omnipotent V12 engine
- Fully-stamped service history up to Nov 2021
- Runs and drives as AM engineers intended
- Brand new MoT will await the new keeper
At the photo location, the fantastic 5.9-litre V12 six started first and every time and settled into an appreciative sonorous burble. The five-speed (ZF-5HP30 – a VERY good thing) automatic transmission connected smoothly with drive engaging with no drama, requiring just a light feathering of the revs to get underway.
With less than 46,000 miles under its bumpers, it’s no surprise that the engine still feels perfect. It’s strong, immensely powerful and there’s no hesitation in acceleration, which is epic when provoked. No untoward noises from the engine, gearbox or suspension were apparent.
The original final inspection plaque remains in place, testifying that Aston Martin employee Andy Brind checked this car over before it left for its new home. Good job, Mr Brind.
The car’s Service Book records a full-service history up to November, 2021 at 44,009 miles. The car has been in the ownership of its current keeper for eleven years and has been meticulously maintained, with no expense spared.
The custodian reports the car to be in excellent mechanical condition with steering, brakes, engine, drivetrain and running gear performing as well as their respective Bloxham factory engineers intended.
Like the visible parts of this car, the underside and lower side sills present in very good order with little of the natural oxidation that may reasonably be expected on a car of this age.
Summary
Aston Martin had an established reputation for comfortable grand tourers well before the DB7 made its first appearance in 1994.
Towards the end of the 20th century, the marque’s virtues were strengthened by the DB7’s ingrained quality, an abundance of new and unique technology, its ease of daily use and reliable mechanical hardiness…and did we mention that stonking* V12 powerplant? (*Not a technical term.)
Towards the end of the 20th century, the marque’s virtues were strengthened by the DB7’s ingrained quality, an abundance of new and unique technology, its ease of daily use and reliable mechanical hardiness…and did we mention that stonking* V12 powerplant? (*Not a technical term.)
This lovingly used DB7 Vantage Volante drew appreciative glances and comments at the photoshoot and continues to exude gravitas. It is an excellent, low-mileage example of one of the most desirable DB7 variants; the al fresco V12.
All-in-all, it’s a very special machine that deserves an owner who will look after and love it as much as that very small group of people have done before.
All-in-all, it’s a very special machine that deserves an owner who will look after and love it as much as that very small group of people have done before.
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