ASTON MARTIN V8 / V12 VANTAGE

The unique V8 Vantage offered here is one of a series of seven cars commissioned by Aston Martin for their most important customer. Known as the 'V8 Racing Collection', each car features a unique livery and sill plates engraved 'V8 Vantage Race Collection' and its number out of seven (in this case it's #007 of 007). This brightly hued example wears the livery known as ‘Kermit’, which was inspired by Aston Martin's so-nicknamed Nürburgring 24-hour race car. The Vantage in both V8 and V12 format competed in numerous 24 hour races at the legendary German circuit.

Introduced for the 2006 model year, Aston Martin's V8 Vantage Coupé was launched at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, a convertible Roadster following later that year. Although it resurrected a famous model designation from the company's past, the latest Vantage was all-new, featuring a 4.3-litre quad-cam V8 engine loosely patterned on Jaguar's 'AJ' unit and equipped, in its Aston guise, with dry-sump lubrication. The latter enabled the engine to be mounted low in the bonded aluminium body/chassis for better handling, whilst the use of a rear transaxle resulted in near-perfect 49/51 front/rear weight distribution.

The Vantage was manufactured at Aston Martin's Headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire, a facility that combines the firm's renowned hand-crafted bespoke capabilities with the technology required to manufacture the bonded aluminium body/chassis structure. Exquisitely designed and detailed whilst possessing class-leading agility and performance, the Vantage was nevertheless a practical two-seater with a large tailgate providing access to the 300-litre rear luggage compartment. The Vantage also benefited from numerous passive and active safety systems.

In May 2008, Aston Martin introduced numerous updates for the Vantage, the most significant being an extensively revised engine of 4.7-litres capacity producing 420bhp and 347lb/ft of torque (a 15% increase). There was also new software for the 6-speed 'Sportshift' automated manual transmission, stiffened suspension featuring Bilstein dampers and stylish new road wheels were also part of the update. Thanks to the increased power and torque there was a welcome boost in performance, the 0-60mph (97km/h) time dropping to 4.7 seconds and top speed increasing to 180mph (290km/h).

Built to Swiss specifications, this car boasts numerous special features in addition to the generous inventory of standard equipment. Option highlights include: special Kermit Green paintwork, Park Green leather interior trim, cruise-control, memory seats and mirrors, red brake callipers, front parking sensors, Sports Pack, Aston Martin 700W Premium Audio, heated front seats, satellite navigation, voice-activated BlueTooth telephone and an auto-dimming interior mirror.

Kept on static display as part of a private Collection until 2023, the Vantage benefits from recommissioning by Stratton Motor Company last year and has travelled a smidge over 100km since, for a current reading of 626km or just 388 miles from new (when photographed).