Description
Originally finished in Tourmaline Blue with Fawn hides and Fawn hood for first owner Mr John Harrison on 27th September 1980 with automatic transmission with RHD UK spec and ‘S series’ engine and registered ORH 615W
The second owner in 1982 was Dr Graham Chapman of Monty Python fame and the car is cited in his autobiography! Chapman owned the car for four years and during that time it was maintained by Ian Mason and Aston Martin Works at Newport Pagnell, copies of invoices and old V5’s in his name are retained on file
The Volante was then sold by main dealer HWM on behalf of Chapman to Douglas Trevor-Jones, the owner of ‘Woodlift Joinery Ltd’, Park Hill, London SW4 in April 1986. This company manufactured all of the veneers for the wood trim for Aston Martin and so he was very close to the factory. Under his stewardship the engine was rebuilt in 1986 by Peter Stratford of Promech at the arches in Queens Circus, Battersea, to Vantage specification, with original Vantage cylinder heads and original Vantage 48 Weber carbs (the standard carbs are 42 Weber)
The registration was changed to UBU 192 in 1987 and the car was maintained by RS Williams during DVTs ownership until it was replaced by a new Vantage Volante, at which point it was acquired by my father Simon Miles in early 1988 via Vic Bass of Archway Engineering, neighbour of Promech and long time Aston specialist and family friend. Vic maintained the Volante throughout my father’s ownership until 1994
Shortly after his acquisition my father and Vic fitted an original ZF manual 5 speed, Vantage airdam and driving lights, big bore Vantage exhaust and I remember the car being very noisy as a kid! We went to various AMOC Brands Hatch meetings in the car and my twin sister and I can be seen in the car in family photos at the top of the Paddock at Brands in May 88 before dad upgraded the front spoiler etc, hence it was the very first Aston Martin that we ever went in and is responsible for my subsequent 'Aston addiction'! The car was later sold in 1994 via respected Aston broker Andre Bloom
Extensive restoration work and bodywork enhancements were made between 94-95 for the next owner Mr Reeves overseen by Andre Bloom, photographs of which are in the file showing the bodywork being completely restored and modernised with wheel arch extensions in the style of an 89’ Vantage 580X coupe, Ronal wheel upgrade, Nardi steering wheel etc with complete interior completely retrim etc. Various suspension and handling upgrades were also fitted and the vendor acquired the Volante just after the work was completed in July 1995 and has owned it since
During the past four years the Volante has benefitted from a re-paint, new mohair roof, replacement seat foams, rebuilt brake servos etc at a cost of GBP 25k. Without doubt a unique specification today and an interesting and well documented history makes this a very worthwhile car to own and enjoy
