Aston Martin Le MansAston Martin Le Mans |
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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.?
Vehicle History:
The vehicle file includes a copy of the original build sheet for the car
It notes that the original engine was built by Chris Bennett in left hand drive to Gulf specification. It was built with a manual gearbox, and with a rear axle ratio of 3.54:1. This particular example was released on the 8th February 2000 to, Al Habtoor in the Gulf. Its owner kept the car in a climate controlled garage with the maintenance conducted by Dubai?s Aston Martin dealer before being acquired by the second owner who now offers the car for sale through exclusive representation by Byron International.
In reassurance of the exclusivity of this model, a letter is in the vehicle file from Aston Martin?s current Director of Works Service and Customer Relations confirms that only 40 examples of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Le Mans were made.
The car was returned to the UK for engine upgrading and interior refurbishment by Aston Martin Works Service in Newport Pagnell. This has brought the engine specification up to that of a V600 and the car has been UK registered with the appropriate registration number V 600 VLM. At the same time, cosmetic alterations to the cabin area were carried out making this car, already one of forty originals, mechanically and cosmetically refined to the highest degree.
Service & Upgrade by Aston Martin Works Service
Engine: Remove ancillaries, loosen all fixings and remove engine from vehicle. Dismantle and clean engine components. Dismantle valves from heads and liners from cylinders. O rings degraded and liners oval due to heat + corrosion found to cylinder block. Decoke cylinder heads, reassemble crankshaft with plugs, measure main journals and set clearances to 0.10? ? 0.15?. Install crankshaft, cleans pistons and fit to con rods, fit piston rings and gap. Weigh piston /rod assemblies and match to crankshaft. Install piston/rods to crankshaft and cylinder liners and torque new bolts to 45 lb/ft. Install timing gear/chains, new oil pump, guides and tensioners and set up timing. Install front timing cover and sump. Lap in valves to seats, install valves and springs, install heads to block and torque in position. Install camshafts, caps, hydraulic tappets and torque caps to specification. Install sprockets to camshafts and set timing to specification. Build up lower front pulley assembly after balancing, install upper timing covers and cylinder head covers and re-assemble ancillaries. Overhaul leaking injectors and renew heat distorted header tank. Replace front to rear carbon canister hose, Repalce vacuum hoses in engine bay.
To carry out V600 engine conversion: remove hypoid unit and install 3:77 unit. Remove front spoiler, modify throttle linkage and install new cable. Remove air intake system and intercoolers, renew intercoolers. Modify air conditioning condenser and induction system including pumps. Modify spoiler duct for oil cooler. Make up lower tray as original missing and install. Modify intake for charged air system. Change supercharger oil after both units worksed on. Modify radiator for screw in switches. Install drier bottle correctly. Make good fixings to front spoiler, install oil cooler and hoses, replace missing oil hose temperature sensor.
Install right hand drive headlamp units, carry out beam alignment. Remove speedo and replace with MPH unit, remove radio for IVA test and reinstall. Carry out 15,000 mile service to manufacturer schedule. Carry out handbrake adjustment for correct lever travel, unseize both filler locks, replace rear anti roll bushes, tighten loose check strap bolts. Set up vehicle and check ride heights, partially dismantle suspension to install spacers to increase heights. Carry out adjustments to camber and castor angles, set front wheel alignment and suspension bump steer.
Interior: Remove interior seats, strip trims and make up patterns to retrim headrests, covers, seat squabs, cushion covers ? retrim in leather and reassemble to fit to car.
Summary:
In standard specification, the Aston Martin Le Mans is a rare and exceptional car. This car - Number 25 - has now had the engine wholly refurbished and upgraded to a full V600 specification. Now UK registered with a valid MOT, it is ready for the road, however, the kilometre speedometer and the left hand drive headlamps have been retained if the car tempts a European buyer, and of course it would attract no further tax liability going into the EC.
A modern classic from Aston Martin, mechanically perfect, with a refurbished interior and an Aston Martin Extended Warranty, it makes a tempting package.
Byron International
Registration / Index Number: V 600 VLM
Chassis Number: SCFDAM251YBL 70264
Engine Number: 590/R/70264/MLM
Colour: Black
Right-hand Drive
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Derivative: Condition: 60+ Good Year: 0 Ad Type: For Sale Private or Trade: Trade Ad Keywords: Aston Martin Le Mans |
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