Description
This car is Lot 162 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris Sale on 6 February, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Tuesday 4 February from 08:00 until 18:00 and Wednesday 5 February from 9 AM - 6 PM, at The Grand Palais Historique, Paris.
Lot 162
Sold new in Monaco; 28, 100km
2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
Registration no.
Chassis no. SCFAC23323B500717
British Racing Green and Dark Tan leather
Sold with its books and tools
Numerous factory options
Ex Claude Le Guézec
Registered in France
An entirely new Aston Martin for the 21st Century, the Vanquish debuted at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2001, with deliveries commencing a few months later. The Vanquish took over from the Vantage V8, the Newport Pagnell factory undergoing an extensive multi-million-pound refurbishment to accommodate it, gaining a new assembly line, paint shop, rolling road and water test facility.
Styled by Ian Callum, the man responsible for the DB7, the Vanquish was developed with assistance from Aston Martin's parent company, Ford, using constructional techniques more advanced than those of any contemporary road car. The monocoque tub was made of heat-cured bonded aluminium, braced by a central tunnel of carbon fibre to create a lightweight structure of exceptional rigidity, thus enabling the chassis engineers to develop suspension combining excellent handling and roadholding with unrivalled ride quality. As well as its superior strength/ weight ratio compared to aluminium, the carbon fibre backbone also provided better insulation from transmission and exhaust heat in the cabin. The all-independent suspension followed the accepted supercar norm and comprised double aluminium wishbones, coil springs, mono-tube damper and anti-roll bar front and rear. Four-wheel ventilated steel disc brakes gripped by four-piston callipers provided all the stopping power one needs, while ABS and traction control afforded maximum security in poor road conditions or 'on the limit'.
Aston Martin's first power unit of its type, the 6. 0-litre, 48-valve, V12 engine developed 460bhp at 6, 800rpm, with 400lb/ ft of torque available at 5, 500rpm. In its 'Stage 2' Vanquish specification, it benefited from an 18kg weight reduction, most of which was shed from the rotating masses to improve throttle response. A spin-off from Formula 1 technology, the state-of-the-art electronic engine management system provided 'drive by wire' throttle control and was linked to the six-speed manual gearbox's electro-hydraulic change mechanism, a 'first' for a production car. The gearchange was controlled by F1-style paddles and could be operated in either of two modes - fully manual and computer-controlled automatic - with a 'sport' setting available on both. The system allowed the driver to skip intermediate gears on down-changes without recourse to the clutch, while at the same time providing engine protection by means of a rev limiter. All emissions requirements worldwide were surpassed, including California's LEV (Low Emission Vehicle) standards.
Standard equipment inventory included almost everything the discerning connoisseur would wish for: Alpine stereo system, 6 CD changer, air conditioning, electrically adjustable seats, alarm/ immobiliser, tyre pressure sensing, automatic rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamp operation, automatic rear-view mirror dipping, trip computer, etc. The performance? 190mph and 0-60 in 4. 5 seconds.
The Vanquish was built in two versions - two-seater and 2+2 - the rear seat space in the former being occupied by a shelf for a golf bag or other luggage. A pleasing blend of up-to-the-minute technology and traditional materials, the interior was dominated by an imposing aluminium centre console extending from fascia to transmission tunnel. Connolly leather upholstery, Wilton carpeting and quilted Alcantara headlining emphasised the Aston Martin heritage, for despite its advanced specification, the Vanquish was built like all other Astons before it, one at a time, by hand. Production ceased in 2007, by which time its price in France had risen to over 265, 000.
This Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, produced to French specifications, was sold new in Monaco, in June 2003, to a Mr Jurgensen. Painted British Racing Green with a passenger compartment upholstered in Dark Tan leather with dark green carpets, it is notably fitted with heated seats, a GPS navigation system and electric folding wing mirrors and a heated windscreen. Its first owner kept it for two years, before it passed into the hands of a Mr Vermet, in Cannes la Bocca. The Vanquish was then registered 103 BNV 06. Regularly serviced at Aston Martin Royal Motors Cannes, the Aston Martin was eventually sold in 2013, at around 23, 000km. After being part of the Claude Le Guézec collection, the car was acquired in 2023 by its current owner, with 27, 000km on the clock. Serviced at 27, 403km in April 2023, it now has 28, 100km on the clock and will be sold with its original logbook, spare key, tool kit, matching cover and umbrella, as well as a file of invoices and its French registration document (carte grise).
With few kilometres on the clock, careful record keeping and in a highly elegant colour combination, this is a choice specimen of a car that is today deemed one of the most beautiful V12-engine GTs of the early 2000s, a model that looked to compete with the Ferrari 575 Maranello and the Lamborghini Murciélago.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
