Imagine 21st-century Aston Martin without the 5,935cc V12. Tricky, right? The engine that powered some of its most desirable models, the engine that evolved into the wild 7.3, the engine that typically provides the most temptation when it comes to affordable Aston Martins. Of course, if the V12 hadn’t happened something else would have been cobbled together back then - Aston being part of the Ford empire - but it really is hard to imagine a better synthesis of brand and powerplant.
The 6.0-litre (yes, it should really be rounded down to 5.9, but it’s been too long now) was the catalyst for so many great cars. The Vanquish, DB9 and DBS would have been very different experiences with a V8, and the V12 Vantage remains one of the most brilliantly silly shoehorning exercises ever devised. All that being said, there can also be no denying the impact it had on the first Aston to use the V12: the DB7.
We all know how the ‘7 had charmed buyers with its stunning design since the early '90s, but it was crying out for a more charming engine than the supercharged six. The Vantage of 1999, complete with a 420hp variant of the V12, absolutely provided it. So much so, in fact, that the 3.2 was no longer offered after a few months of the Vantage, because sales of the regular one had basically evaporated. Here, at last, was a motor with the power, sound and theatre that the DB7 deserved.
A honking great V12 was welcome, though it didn’t solve every DB7 problem. It was still a bit cramped inside, thanks to the old architecture, and the interior design looked kinda old hat with the millennium looming. As did a traditional torque converter auto when Ferrari would offer a clever (for back then) automated manual in the similarly priced 360 Modena.
Nevertheless, the V12 was the making of the DB7, and the catalyst for really special models like the GT and Zagato-built cars. This isn’t either of those, however; it’s a beautiful spec for a Vantage - they really are settling into classic car status (the oldest are more than 30 years old now) absolutely beautifully. Apparently the blue is a Jaguar colour, which works perfectly with the ivory and wood inside. The wheels look as good as the day they left Bloxham.
It’s the manual, too, definitely the more desirable transmission choice given the additional level of control it’ll offer over that engine. The auto was just a five-speed as well, and will surely feel pretty old hat these days. A six-speed manual V12 is a pretty magical experience, never more so than when it’s in something this pretty. This one has been driven little more than a thousand miles a year, and is said to benefit from £15k of recent expenditure. At £31,950 it’s one of the more expensive DB7s around - they’re still available for half that - but then it’s also far and away one of the more desirable. It’s hard to imagine it ever being worth less than that given the spec and mileage. Long live the manual Aston V12…
SPECIFICATION | ASTON MARTIN DB7 VANTAGE
Engine: 5,935cc V12
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 426@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 400@5,000rpm
MPG: c. 15
CO2: c. 450g/km
Year registered: 2000
Recorded mileage: 26,000
Price new: c. £100,000
Yours for: £31,950
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