Description
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a British grand tourer, a higher performance version of the Aston Martin V8. Only 534 cars were built in Newport Pagnell from 1977 – 1989. Its engine was shared with the Lagonda, but it used high-performance camshafts, increased compression ratio, larger inlet valves and bigger carburettors mounted on new manifolds for increased output. Straight-line performance was the best of the day, with acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/ h) in 5. 3 seconds, one-tenth of a second quicker than the Ferrari Daytona. As a consequence, it was christened ‘Britain’s first supercar’ when launched!
Between 1986 and 1989, the the final series of the V8 Vantage were built. They were fitted with the same 580X engine as previewed in the V8 Vantage Zagato – and the ‘X-Pack’ was born. It was built with Cosworth pistons and Nimrod racing-type heads producing 403 hp. A ‘big bore’ after-market option was also available from Works Service, with 50 mm carbs (instead of 48 mm) and straight-through exhaust system giving 432 hp. 16-inch wheels were also now fitted.
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. 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.
Aston Martin only built 137 X-Pack coupes, of which 88 were right hand drive and only 11 RHD automatic examples.
Manufactured in Jan 1988, #12595 was built to a very special and unique specification:
UK specification (V8 carburettor, automatic transmission, MPH speedo and RHD)
Cannock Black paint work
Black leather trim with dark red piping
Black Onslow carpets edged with dark red
Burr Walnut wood work
580X (factory X-Pack)
As if being 1 of 11 wasn’t rare enough, #12595 is the only RHD X-Pack car in black on black with the automatic gearbox.
This fabulous combination remains in place today, and the car presents beautifully.
The car has covered a total of 104, 268 miles, and the history file that accompanies it is extensive, and details the thorough maintenance work carried out through its life. The main highlights are a conversion from 3 speed auto to 4 speed auto in 2011 and a full engine rebuild at an Aston Martin specialist in 2022.
VEHICLE TIMELINE
Date Source Company Information Mileage
9th June 1988 Booklet Aston Martin Lagonda Limited Delivery Not stated
11th Feb 1988 Invoice Aston Martin Lagonda Limited Pre-delivery inspection Not stated
2nd March 1988 Invoice Aston Martin Lagonda Limited Carry out 1st service Not stated
5th May 1988 Invoice Aston Martin Lagonda Limited Replace damaged exhaust section, repair mounts and rear valance to suit Not stated
28th Oct 1988 Invoice Aston Martin Lagonda Limited Carry out 10, 000mile service 9, 785
11th Jan 1989 Invoice Levitt Leasing LTD Sold 9, 950
6th April 1989 Invoice Aston Martin Lagonda Limited Replace front windscreen 14, 999
6th April 1989 Invoice Aston Martin Lagonda Limited Carry out 15, 000 mile service and check over 14, 999
7th March 1990 Invoice Hyde Vale Fit temperature switch 17, 759
7th March 1990 Invoice Hyde Vale Carry out 20, 000 mile service and check over 17, 759
3rd Jan 1995 Service booklet Stratton motor co Complete service as required in service booklet 38, 441
27th Sep 1995 Service booklet Ian Mason Complete service as required in service book 39, 914
5th Sep 1996 Service booklet Ian Mason Complete service as required in service book 42, 369
27th Nov 1996 Invoice Ian Mason Replace broken diff, replace exhaust down pipe. 42, 707
24th Jan 1997 Invoice Ian Mason Investigate and fix cooling system. 42, 891
11th Sep 1997 Invoice Ian Mason Carry out 10, 000 mile service and check over 43, 847
9th June 1998 Invoice Ian Mason Replace starter motor 46, 443
30th July 1998 Invoice Ian Mason Repair damaged front spoiler, fit new ignition amp/ coil packs. 47, 929
26th Aug 1998 Service booklet Ian Mason Complete service as required in service book 49, 519
4th Sep 1998 Invoice Ian Mason Carry out 10, 000 mile service and check over 49, 519
27th Oct 1998 Invoice Ian Mason Fit a new clutch and flywheel assembly 50, 111
19th Jan 1999 Service booklet Ian Mason Complete service as required in service book 52, 251
13th April 1999 Invoice Ian Mason Fit new front and rear springs and shock absorbers, fit front and rear anti roll bars 53, 277
3rd June 1999 Invoice Ian Mason Remove and adjust rear shock to make stiffer 55, 151
17th Sep 1999 Invoice Ian Mason Fitted new front brake discs, fit new front wheel bearings 56, 717
23rd Nov 1999 Invoice Ian Mason Carry out 5, 000 mile engine, chassis, body, transmission and electrical service as per handbook 59, 803
9th March 2000 Invoice Ian Mason Fit new headlamps, fit new offside door window motor 61, 768
21st Dec 2000 Invoice Ian Mason Carry out 10, 000 mile service and check over 67, 165
30th Oct 2001 Invoice Ian Mason Connect new section to wiring harness due to blown fuel pump fuse 70, 923
10th Jan 2002 Invoice Ian Mason Carry out 2, 500 engine, chassis, transmission, body and electrical service and check over 72, 253
2nd March 2002 Invoice Ian Mason Top end engine recommissioning 74, 222
5th June 2002 Invoice Ian Mason Fitting new top radiator hoses 75, 544
25th June 2002 Invoice Ian Mason Fit new water pump, all seals, and clips for the fan 76, 104
29th July 2002 Invoice Ian Mason Carry out 5, 000 mile service and check over 76, 406
17th Dec 2002 Invoice Ian Mason Replace all spark plugs 78, 092
21st Aug 2003 Invoice Ian Mason Carry out 10, 000 mile service and check over 81, 179
2nd April 2004 Invoice Ian Mason Carry out six month vehicle check 83, 595
14th May 2005 Invoice Ian Mason Carry out 10, 000 mile service and check over 89, 687
19th Dec 2005 Invoice Ian Mason Carry out 2, 500 mile service and check over 92, 499
25th April 2006 Mot. gov MOT Pass 93, 381
10th Jan 2010 Invoice Aston Works 10, 000 mile service and check over, fit new front speakers, rechrome front bumper, fit new stainless steal exhaust, fit new rear disc’s and pad’s 94, 900
4th Nov 2010 Mot. gov Mot Pass 100, 032
1st Feb 2011 Invoice Aston Works Convert gearbox to 4 speed automatic gearbox 100, 200
28th March 2011 Service Booklet Heritage Full service 100, 343
21st March 2011 Invoice Paragon Replace worn throttle linkages Not stated
19th June 2012 Mot. gov MOT Pass 100, 471
28th June 2012 Service Booklet Heritage Full service 100, 471
22nd July 2013 Mot. gov Mot Pass 100, 817
23rd July 2014 Mot. gov MOT Pass 101, 367
15th July 2015 Mot. gov Mot Pass 101, 692
13th July 2016 Mot. gov Mot Pass 101, 690
3rd Jan 2018 Mot. gov Mot Pass 101, 737
30th Oct 2020 Mot. gov Mot Pass 102, 640
18th July 2022 Invoice Oselli Complete engine rebuild 3, 620
8th Dec 2022 Mot. gov Mot Pass 3, 820
10th April 2024 Invoice Oselli Check over and service 3, 969
25th April 2024 Invoice The Classic Car Company Rolling road set up and tune 4, 022
23rd April 2024 Mot. gov Mot Pass 4, 047
Please contact us for more information about this unique and exceptionally well maintained vehicle.
