1997 Aston Martin V8 Coupe

• Just 101 V8 Coupes were hand-built during the three years of its production
• Fitted with a 5-speed ZF manual gearbox and a Vantage-spec LSD by specialists Goldsmith and Young
• Extensive service history including a full set of books, invoices and more, with around £10,000 expenditure within the last two years
• Looking fabulous in Buckingham Green with a classic Grey Leather and Figured Walnut interior
• This is a serious motor car with its 350bhp and muscular stance and the addition of a manual gearbox makes it very special

After spearheading the Aston Martin V8's transformation for the 1990s, the Virage name was quietly dropped during 1994, its place as the 'standard' model being taken by a Vantage-style V8 Coupe. Introduced at the Geneva Salon in March 1996, the new V8 Coupe adopted all of the Vantage's muscular styling cues, including its faired-in headlights and four round tail lights, but retained the normally aspirated, 349bhp, 5.3-litre engine of the Virage. Performance was similar with 0-60 taking 5.9 seconds and the top speed was quoted by Aston as "over 155mph" whatever that means. The model formed part of the Aston Martin range for just three years with only 101 Coupes and 63 Volantes leaving Newport Pagnell and consequently these are now rare cars.

The car we have here is believed to be the only V8 Coupe fitted with a manual gearbox, not an option from the factory. It was converted by specialists Goldsmith and Young in 2006, using a 5-speed ZF box whilst adding a Vantage-specification Limited Slip Differential. The car is accompanied by a substantial service history detailing its fastidious maintenance throughout the years. There are valuation notes that state the work for the change of gearbox would cost in the region of £40,000 or more today.

Invoices within the car's history file indicate that over £10,000 has been spent on maintenance during the last two years including recent work to the calipers, steering system, fuel pipes and gaiters.

Our vendor, having owned many different classics down the years including Lamborghinis, and even an AM Lagonda, knew what he wanted when he acquired this one. Unfortunately a house move has meant that storage space is at a premium and the Aston has to go.

An insurance valuation certificate from quite recently valued this car at between £150,000 and £175,000, today it is available for only a snip of that price, but given its rarity, what price individuality?