Description
The V8 Coupe was introduced in 1996 and was the natural evolution of the Virage, but with a much smoother look. It shares the same overall look of the brutal Vantage, but less the steroidal width wheel arches and bonnet vents. One of the rarest – and last – of the hand built Aston Martins, only 101 examples were built and are thus instant collector cars. This car is a mid-production build car and is probably unique in that it has just been retrofitted with a single bespoke ECU system, which has made the engine smoother and more responsive.
- The Car -
This V8 Coupe, chassis number 79051, was specified in Rolls Royce Royal Blue with a Magnolia and Pacific Blue Connolly leather interior along with Pacific Blue carpets. Since 2015 after having covered circa 54, 000 miles, this V8 Coupe was put into long term dry storage by the current owner and is now in the last stages of a full recommissioning by Hampshire based marque specialists Chicane.
One of the more interesting aspects of this recommissioning has been the necessity to replace the engine’s twin ECUs with a single bespoke ECU due to the lack of availability of the older units. After the success of doing the same for the 585 V8 engine from the injection V8 Saloons of the late 1980s, a lower idle, smoother delivery and increased mid-range torque are some of the improvements over the original ECU based cars.
The car is now in a very good condition after all the recent works and will likely be the most unique V8 Coupe in existence. Please note, the private number plate is to be retained and the car will be sold with her original registration number of R338 JGK.
- Its History -
Supplied new by main agent Aston Martin Sales of Mayfair in September 1997 and subsequently serviced by Stratstone of Wilmslow in Cheshire until 2003.
In 2003, a new speedometer was fitted at a recorded mileage of 37, 837.
Since then and until 2013, before it was put into dry storage, the servicing was undertaken by The Aston Workshop.
In 2022, the car was delivered to Chicane for the recommissioning works, which included areas of paint work, all four wheels refurbished with new tyres and the engine ECU update amongst others.
- Conclusion -
The V8 Coupe heralded the last of the Virage derived evolutions and is one of the company’s rarest models. To experience what Aston Martin was all about prior to the change in direction the company took with the V12 Vanquish, then this car perfectly exemplifies a time of bespoke craftsmanship and style.
This V8 Coupe is available for viewing and demonstration at our Hampshire facility by appointment only and will be sold with a full 12 months MOT.
