Aston Martin Le Mans for sale

Aston Martin Vantage

This was the second car produced by Aston Martin to carry the Vantage name in its own right rather than being a performance derivative of another model. This could scarcely have been any different to the first, the straight six Company Developments version of the DBS.

While this Vantage had a passing resemblance to the Virage, it only shared door and roof skins. At the front, two groups of three headlamps were set behind a heated lens whilst the grille above the bumper moulding had an 'egg box' appearance. The lower opening was larger and set in a deep air dam and flanked by two other openings. The bonnet opening panel did not reach the front edge and has two openings at the rear protected by wire mesh.

The major difference in the car was when you open the bonnet two huge Eaton (Roots type) superchargers, each driven by a flat belt, dominate the space either side of the engine. Compressed air from those superchargers pass through water cooled intercoolers to the engine where it was joined by fuel directed by the Bosch sequential fuel injection system. With each supercharger feeding its own cylinder bank and each bank with its own throttle body, it was like having two 2.75 litre engines running a common crankshaft and the developed 550 bhp made it the most powerful road car Aston Martin had ever produced.

Driving through another first for the company, a six speed gearbox, it delivered a top speed of 300 kilometres per hour - a youthful Jeremy Clarkson reviewing the car for Performance Cars, described the Vantage as "the most wonderful car in the world." This eulogy was based on the ability of the engine to induce wheelspin while being driven at over 90 mph.

To accommodate the power, there were all new 18 inch spoked alloy wheels and the wheelarches were adapted to accommodate these and to create airflow to the huge disc brakes. The brakes were controlled by a Bosch ABS system and helped this massively powerful car stop safely. In designing the car, Aston Martin never forgot that they were still in the business of luxury and 10 Connolly hides covered the seats, burr walnut veneer the dashboard, door cappings and centre console while the occupants'; feet sank into the best Wilton carpets.

On 1st March 1999, a press release was issued by Aston Martin announcing the commissioning of a series of 40, special named and numbered editions of the V8 Vantage in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Aston Martin's victories at Le Mans and in the World Sports Car Championship.

The release went on to note other distinctive features of the car - an extended front spoiler designed to create positive downforce as an aid to high speed aerodynamic efficiency. To aid the aerodynamics further and to enhance the engine and supercharger performance, additional cooling ducts were incorporated in the new style radiator panel, bonnet and front wing side vents.

Further enhancements were the newly designed panel beneath the rear bumper, incorporating the reversing and high intensity rear lamps as well as the increased diameter exhaust pipes. To emphasise the racing heritage, the cars were fitted with separate bright metal, machined, competition style lockable fuel caps. That same style continued into the cabin with drilled bright metal brake, clutch and accelerator pedals and a machined aluminium knob for the gear lever. The traditional wood veneers were replaced with Titanium finish panels together with a magnolia-faced instrument panel dominated by a huge tachometer and engine start button.

With the huge performance potential of the car, Aston Martin had equipped the Vantage Le Mans with magnesium alloy wheels together with special brake, steering and suspension systems that were fitted with all 600 bhp versions of the Vantage

The anti-lock brake system incorporated AP Racing 6 piston callipers with grooved and ventilated discs at the front and four piston callipers with grooved ventilated discs at the rear. Adjustable shock absorbers in the front and rear suspension allowed the chassis to be 'tuned'; to the individual preference of the driver.

In emphasis of the exclusive nature of the car, Bob Dover, then Chairman and Chief Executive of Aston Martin Lagonda added "Each of the new V8 Vantage models will be fitted with a plate recognising the name of its original owner."

Registration / Index Number: V 600 VLM
Chassis Number: SCFDAM251YBL 70264
Engine Number: 590/R/70264/MLM
Colour: Black
Right-hand Drive

Derivative:
Condition: 60+ Good
Year: 0
Ad Type: For Sale
Private or Trade: Trade Ad
Keywords: Aston Martin Le Mans

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