MODEL DETAILS
When the first V8 Vantage Series 1 went on sale in February 1977, it immediately became Britain’s first real “supercar”. Despite its weight of nearly 1.8 tons, it accelerated from 0 – 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and achieved a top speed of 170 mph.
In 1978, the V8 Vantage Series 2 received the OI specifications from the V8 Saloon Series 4, with a more luxurious interior (leather replacing the vinyl on the dash, wood veneers for the dash and door carpeting). Most importantly it replaced the bolt on goodies from Series 1 which were now incorporated in the body of the Series 2.
Motor sport road tested the sister car registered VNK 350S in March 1978:”I was too skeptical. I have not been the most ardent admirer of modern Astons, although I have nothing but admiration for the craftsmanship involved in their manufacture. Now, after testing the Vantage, I am lost for adequate superlatives. I have driven most of the World’s fastest, most expensive production sports cars, but I can’t think of one that has surprised me, excited me quite as much as the Vantage. It does not have the supreme chassis characteristics of the new Porsche 928 (a 928 fitted with the Vantage engine would be the absolute ultimate!), the uncanny smoothness of the Turbo, the silence of the XJS, or the charismatic design of the boxer and the Countach. But it will out-perform them all in a manner which is as untemperamental as it is shattering, and makes no sacrifices for the sake of outrageous styling and the current mid-engine cult. Such power is not for the faint of heart or muscle, or for the unskilled, but allowing for those obvious strictures this Vantage is remarkable vice-free and forgiving, another bonus form conventional layout.”
The Vantage Series 2 was further developed until it was succeed by the Vantage Series 3 in 1986.
A total of 180 V8 Vantage Series 2 (44 OI, 42 V580 and 94 BBS) were built from 1978 to 1986.
CAR DETAILS
This V8 Vantage with chassis number 11870 had served as the Factory Prototype and development car for the improved Oscar India V8 Vantage, incorporating rear wing and boot lid styling modifications, new bonnet and front air dam. The front air dam was subsequently changed to the production Vantage specification following wind tunnel testing.
Kean Roger (www.V8vantage.com) has written an excellent article about this Vantage: “The Aston that never was? The Town’s Vantage” highlighting the radical William Town’s design for the V8 Vantage that never found its way into production.
Registered as VNK 349S and it was raced to victory by both Ray Mallock and Dave Morgan at the AMOC’s St John Horsfall meeting at Silverstone in 1978, competed there again the following year and took part in the Beaujolais Run. This V8 Vantage OI Prototype was retained by Aston Martin’s engineering department as a development car, being upgraded with much of the equipment fitted to later production models, until sold by the Works Service at their own auction in 1981 (Lot 121). Re-registered as BSE 88, this Aston subsequently belonged to John Holdsworth of Aberdeen, who acquired it in March 1982.
This V8 Vantage was purchased in January 1984 by a well-known historic racer, the late David Heynes, during whose ownership it benefited from considerable expenditure at marque specialists Pugsley & Lewis and R S Williams. Bills on file for the period 1989 to 1996 total in excess of GBP 13’000, including an unleaded engine conversion by RSW. The car was sold by Mrs Heynes in 2003 having been refurbished prior to sale by RSW at a cost of GBP 12’000.
A Mr Tombolis then owned the Vantage for one year before passing it on a vendor in 2004. In December of that year, a total of GBP 11’000 was spent with Pugsley & Lewis on servicing and repairs to the sills and bodywork. More recent work has included a service and air conditioning overhaul in February 2006, and a service, steering overhaul and braking system upgrade in January 2007, when AP racing discs, calipers, pads and hubs were fitted at the front. Pugsley & Lewis were responsible for all of the foregoing, and related bills totalling GBP 13’600 are on file. In addition to the aforementioned invoices there are 15 expired MoTs with the car, which appear to support the circa original 70’000 miles recorded on the odometer.
This Factory Prototype is an important and historic Aston Martin featured in many publications and articles. It offers a unique opportunity not just to acquire such an important Aston but also a British Supercar, which does not need to be shy of its performance.
RESTORATION WORKS
- New stainless steel exhaust system
- New rear screen
- New boot carpets
- Refurbished GKN alloy wheels
- 5 new Kumho 255/60 VR15 tyres
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
- 3 sets of keys
- Red Super-Tex indoor car cover
- Owner’s manual
- Original tool kit
- History file
PRICE ON REQUEST
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