Cars

This lot will be auctioned via Historics Classic and Sportscar Auctioneers, Ascot Racecourse sale on Saturday 14th of September, SL5 7JX. The Virage was Aston Martin's replacement for the decades old V8 models and was introduced at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1988. This V8 powered car was intended as the company's top model with their six-cylinder, 1994 DB7 slotted below it but this V8 model (by then in Vantage form) remained the exclusive, expensive and handbuilt king of Astons. The Virage was a large, heavy car despite its all aluminium body but the 32 valve, 5.3 litre V8 engines elevated its performance to sports car levels. Acceleration just never seems to run out, claimed Sports Car International on a first test. They also praised the eager and quicker revving nature of the engine with its Callaway-designed heads and Weber Marelli fuel injection. Nothing sounds quite like an Aston V8, they concluded.This Virage was purchased by our vendor in 2020 to join their collection and has since been used only occasionally, the car is now offered for sale due to a house move overseas. The car was previously owned by a fastidious collector for 16 years, who always maintained it to the highest possible standard and it is presented in British Racing Green with a contrasting cream leather interior and green piping with all leather dashboard and cream suede headlining. The paintwork has a good shine, with a few age-related marks, a small area of oxidization is present on top of the near side front wing, though it is only around 3cm long and a few stone chips and cracks are present along the front splitter.Contained within the history file is photographic history showing both side sills have been replaced and £3,700 spent on new 18 alloy wheels in 2017. Boasting an upgraded stainless steel sports exhaust system and uprated adjustable suspension, which provides anti-dive/improved road handling, we are informed this car now drives and handles much better than a standard car. During the previous owners tenure, the interior was completely removed, including the seats, door cards and carpets and the leather was stripped and repaired. The result is a superb interior with soft supple leather seats. Also present in the comprehensive history file are invoices for over £40,000 spent on updating and careful maintenance coupled to an MoT test certificate valid until November 2024. These British bulldog sports cars still have the performance many modern sports cars can only dream of and the looks many wish they had! At a fraction of its original cost, this represents fine value for such a thoroughbred. Consigned by Fraser Smith

The Aston Martin Virage revives a famous nameplate from the company's past, embodying a balance between luxury and sporting performance. Powered by a potent V12 engine and featuring high-end craftsmanship, the Virage delivers a thrilling driving experience.