Description
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Viewing: Tues 8th April from 12pm
Auction: Wed 9th April from 9am
Location: IWM Duxford Airfield, Cambridge CB22 4QR
1986 Aston Martin V8 Volante
Estimate
£110, 000 - £130, 000
Registration No: 800 TXX
Chassis No: SCFCV81CXGTL15419
MOT: June 2025
Lavished with a restoration by Aston Martin aficionados Runnymede Motor Company between 2018-2019
Just 25, 000 recorded miles
Finished in Winchester Blue paintwork with Dark Blue Connolly leather and Dark Blue Wilton carpets
Rare and desirable five-speed ZF manual transmission
1 of just 439 Weber-carburettor fed V8 Volantes made
Introduced in June 1978, the Aston Martin V8 Volante was among the most stylish 2+2-seater convertibles that money could buy. Utilising a strengthened version of its two-door Saloon sibling’s sheet steel platform chassis, the newcomer was equipped with independent coil-sprung front suspension, a De Dion rear axle, four-wheel disc brakes and power-assisted rack and pinion steering. Sporting a ‘power bulge’ bonnet to accommodate the quad Weber carburettors that sat atop its 5340cc DOHC V8 engine, the soft-top was typically ordered with three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission. Reputedly capable of over 140mph and 0-60mph in 7. 7 seconds, the V8 Volante featured sumptuous leather upholstery and a beautiful burr walnut dashboard / door cappings. A smash hit with America’s rich and famous, most of the 439 carburettor-fed cars completed between 1978 and 1986 were to left-hand drive specification.
Manufactured in 1986 and therefore one of the last of the carburettor V8 Volantes, chassis ‘15419’ was supplied new to the United States of America. Residing there until 2017 when repatriated to the United Kingdom, by this time the Volante was requiring restoration. Thereafter lavished with a restoration by Aston Martin aficionados Runnymede Motor Company between 2018-2019, ‘800 TXX’ now presents in the highly attractive Winchester Blue paintwork following a complete bare metal repaint to a very high standard. Complementing Dark Blue Connolly hide upholstery feature in the interior with Dark Blue high-quality Wilton carpeting, new wooden veneers, and a re-trimmed dashboard completing the interior, along with replacement of the electric hood mechanism and a new Dark Blue mohair hood part of the works completed. Mechanically the works comprised a brake overhaul, a new clutch, and a major service, with renewed chrome work throughout and later style Ronal wheels completing the cosmetics.
Not only an excellently restored example, this V8 Volante is one of the very limited number of cars manufactured with the five-speed ZF manual transmission. Accompanied by a considerable history file documenting the restoration costs, whilst there is no detailed information of the car prior to importation, on close inspection of the quality of the original seats, it is believed that the mileage of a mere 25, 000 miles is genuine. Early narrow-body V8 Volantes with carburettor power are highly desirable already, and this example with the very rare ZF 5-speed manual gearbox is certainly one to consider for any discerning collectors and enthusiasts alike, and in left-hand drive guise is ideal for continental touring or a return to residence in a warmer climate!
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
