1995 Aston Martin Virage Volante 5.3-Litre 'Cosmetic Wide-Body’

The Volante had been the big seller of the previous generation of AM V8s, so the only surprise was that it took Aston Martin more than two years from the Virage Coupé's introduction to come up with a soft top sister. The production Virage Volante debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991, a prototype having been displayed at Birmingham's NEC the previous October. Weighing in at over two tons, the open Volante was even heavier than the closed coupé, itself no lightweight. This increase in weight is accounted for by considerable body strengthening to compensate for the absent roof, plus the extra complication of the power-operated convertible hood. Electrically powered, the latter was beautifully made and incorporated a glass rear window, complete with heated de-misting elements. Mechanically, the Volante remained much the same as its closed cousin, though with a slightly lower final drive. Top speed was slightly reduced also, to a still outstanding 150mph. Automatic transmission was standard on the Volante, the original 3-speeder being superseded in 1993 by a new 4-speed dual-mode (normal/sport) unit as featured on this particular car.

For those customers who felt the need for more power, Aston's solution, ahead of the forthcoming twin-supercharged Vantage was for the Works Service Department to offer 6.3-litre conversions for the existing 5,340cc V8-engined cars. Introduced in January 1992, this package could cost more than £60,000 (depending on options) and offered increased power and a menu of modifications to the bodywork, suspension, and brakes. In addition to the expanded wheel arches necessary to accommodate the wider wheels, the bodywork was a lot more dramatic with air dams, spoilers, splitter, flowing sills etc., a bit more Le Mans than Ledbury. It was a good looking car and inevitably there were customers who admired the 'racy' looks but didn't feel in need of 6.3-litres, focused suspension and brakes, so the factory developed an option, known internally as 'Cosmetic Wide-body', which was available on the standard 5.3-litre Virage soft top. We understand that 26 5.3-litre Virage Volantes were finished by the factory with this bodywork.

The hand-built example on offer here is indeed one of those 26 factory-built, UK-supplied, right-hand drive 'Cosmetic Wide-body' cars and is finished in Kingfisher Blue with Parchment hide piped in dark blue and fitted with dark blue mohair hood. It was supplied new to its first owner through Lancaster of Sevenoaks, who were responsible for the car's maintenance initially. Details from that period and subsequent servicing can be found in the owner’s book pack alongside some older MOT Certificates.

Reassuringly, regular maintenance can also be found from a number of noted Aston Martin specialists including Aston Workshop and RS Williams. This includes superficial paintwork correction, new tyres, brake work, mechanical adjustments and tracking more recently as well as rebuilt throttle bodies, new HT leads, battery and comprehensive service a little further back. The Aston Workshop repaired the low front spoiler as well as both front quarter panels, blending in all areas and finishing with a full machine polish. Later that year, a full service was carried out with some electrical rectification. RS Williams also checked through some battery defects, brackets, hood mechanism issues and relays with a thorough road test to finish.

Produced to recapture the spirit of the 'golden age' of Grand Touring, this rare Aston is high on the list of desirable, sought after models and is sure to fulfil the requirements of enthusiasts and collectors alike.