・A striking and beautiful example ﹒Quite outstanding condition throughout
・Significant service history, including original workshop manuals,
・Low mileage, low owners’ car
・Starts and drives extremely well ﹒Cherished AML Registration number
THE BACKGROUND
First seen in showrooms some 25 years ago, the DB7 has never been a more appealing package as right now. Beautiful design? Absolutely. Supercharged response? Sure. Exquisite road manners, handling, ride and balance? Yes, yes, yes. And all with that legendary badge up front.
The fact it was derived from an abandoned Jaguar concept, funded by Ford and refined by Tom Walkinshaw Racing? Irrelevant. By the beginning of the 1990s, both Jaguar and Aston Martin were under Ford ownership and each of the historic British marques were at a crossroads. America’s blue oval had cancelled Jaguar’s proposed XJ-S replacement – the coupé codenamed XJ41 – in favour of updating the original car.
The XJ41 would, however, play its part in breathing a new lease of life into Aston Martin. Tom Walkinshaw used it as the basis for a new car designed by Ian Callum, and on an extremely limited budget this was turned into the Aston Martin DB7 – the first time for more than 20 years that the famous ‘DB’ initials had been used.
The DB7 was engineered as a true Aston Martin – and the British marque’s blood runs thick in its veins. It was, after all, the car that saved the company.
Initially offered with a Jaguar-derived, 3.2-litre, supercharged straight-six engine, the DB7 was made at the factory in Bloxham that had originally been built for production of the Jaguar XJ220. The new car won immediate plaudits for its lithe good looks and performance, but for many it really came into its own when it was developed into the Vantage model.
First shown at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, the DB7 Vantage had been restyled by Ian Callum and was much more muscular than the original car, but most important was the fact that the straight-six engine had been replaced by a 6-litre, all-aluminium, double-overhead-camshaft-per-bank V12. With 420bhp on tap – an 80bhp increase over the six-cylinder version – the resonant new powerplant transformed the DB7 into an intensely fast Grand Tourer that could top 180mph. It helped place it as a genuine rival to the likes of Ferrari.
DB7 Vantage production ran until 2003, when it was eventually replaced by the DB9.
This 2000 model year Aston Martin Vantage has only been owned by four people in its 21-year life, with one of those owners being the custodian for some 14 years.
It is evident that owners have kept the car garaged and out of the elements, with its current home including the additional security and comfort of a fitted Aston Martin car cover.
As the numbers suggest, this Vantage has had a gentle life and has been well cared for by its owners, with the current mileage showing and backed up as an impressively low 41,600.
The paperwork accompanying the car is nothing short of extensive. Evidencing its pampered life, the full life story of this Vantage makes for some lengthy reading.
The history file contains all previous MOT certificates and a significant pile of previous bills for servicing and parts. This Aston comes complete with three volumes of leather-bound Aston Martin workshop manuals, owner’s manual and service records (confirming the services across its lifetime) and Alpine stereo system manual.
The records and documentation are commensurate with the vehicle’s overall fabulous condition.
The interior is pure class throughout and presents to a very high standard. The Parchment leather of the seating and the dark blue Wilton carpets and interior trim are a fabulous feature of the car, showing very few signs of wear.
From the moment you open the door, you can’t fail to notice the near faultless interior. Before you even settle into the seats, the door shuts, thresholds, ‘DB7 Vantage’ embossed kick plates, glass, seals and carpets all present in a fastidiously maintained condition.
Continuing into the cabin, the full Parchment leather seats and accompanying door and dash trim, teamed with touches of walnut make for a true feeling of class.
Where you might find typical areas of interior wear, such as seat bolsters and door handles, there is very little to identify the car as anything but the low mileage, beautiful condition Aston it truly is.
The trim level of this model is in summary, full and all inclusive. Electronically and heated options were either included or ticked at purchase, with every driver aid and convenience included. All electronics throughout the car work without fault.
Finally, moving to the boot of the car, the still plush carpeting continues and shows no signs of wear, damp or staining. The spare wheel, battery, tools and bag and cd changer are all present and in perfect condition.
Working your way around the exterior of this example, there are the most minimal of signs that this is a used car. The beautifully deep Antrim blue paintwork across the bodywork, is complemented with the wire mesh silver front grille and lower grille, Aston Martin badges, door handle trims and twin chrome exhaust tips. The private number, with its nod to the Aston Martin family line, will also stay with the car.
The front end including the bonnet, head lights, fog lights and bumper all have little to no signs of stone chips, which tallies with the low mileage. Door shuts, sills, wings, inner wings and valances all appear in an excellent solid condition.
The underside, while largely covered with plastic trim and covers, is in equally great condition. There is some surface corrosion to some of the under-body components, but not a difficult job to rectify and bring up the standard of the rest of the car.
Completing the exterior are the Aston Martin badged silver alloy wheels, which present extremely well with no noticeable marks. All tyres appear in very good condition, with plenty of remaining tread.
The 420bhp V12 is a motor with presence and this one starts with ease and settles to idle as you’d expect from a well-cared for low-mileage example. The Quicksilver stainless steel sports exhaust (fitted in 2021) further adds to the fantastic note of this Vantage. The owner has also retained the original exhaust system, should the new owner wish to return it to factory standard.
The service history backs up what appears to be the overall superb mechanical condition of this car. On the move, there were no notable concerns regarding starting, driving, stopping and shutting off the engine. Mechanical servicing intervals have been adhered to throughout the car’s life and is reflected in its current running condition.
This DB7 Vantage is without question, an absolute looker. A design penned by Ian Callum, the smooth lines and gorgeous proportions are still some of the greatest ever to grace a GT car. Timeless in their understatement.
It’s stylish enough that you’ll appreciate seeing it every day, despite being able to genuinely use it every day, if you so wish. It is also sufficiently subtle that you can drive it to the golf club without your fellow strokers thinking you’re being overly flash. Make no mistake, the DB7 Vantage has aged gracefully and still exhibits its class and provenance.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
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2000 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage
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