2002 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante

At the Geneva Motor Show in 1999, Aston Martin introduced the long awaited Vantage version of their successful DB7. With a Cosworth designed, 5.9 litre V12 producing a creamy 420bhp, eased into the svelte Ian Callum masterpiece, the car was super-quick and was electronically limited to 185mph. The V12 had a serious appetite for air compared to its six-cylinder predecessor, demanding a larger intake and other modifications to the frontal airflow were made to aid cooling. Other changes included chassis and braking upgrades, to cope with the increased performance and the grill was enlarged, fog lamps added and the valances restyled, all these changes resulting in a much more purposeful look. The Vantage interior leather trim was cut and sewn at a special trim shop at Newport Pagnell, where the carpet and wood were also prepared.

The term 'Volante' literally means 'Flying' and has been applied to every convertible Aston since 1965, and naturally was attached to the DB7 when they cut the top off in 1996. The Vantage Volante, with an electrically operated soft-top, followed in 2000. This model cost over £100,000 at its launch and remained in production until 2003 with around 2,046 examples produced.

Offered here, is a DB7 5.9 litre V12 Vantage Volante Automatic, supplied new in January 2002 by Aston Martin dealership Stratton Motor Company Ltd. of Norfolk. This very fine example is finished in the desirable combination of Titanio Grigio with a Pacific Blue leather interior, matching Wilton carpets and hood and features the rare, special order, original factory-fitted, carbon fibre fascia panels.

This car has covered approximately 28,000 miles and has always been well-maintained and serviced. The fully complete leather-bound book pack contains a service interval record that shows a healthy mix of stamps from Aston Martin and marque specialists. There is a good collection of invoices and old MoT certificates going back to 2006, helping to verify the mileage.

Our vendor is an Aston Martin enthusiast and patently fastidious, as in 2014, within a month of buying this low mileage car, he spent £8,308 on thorough servicing, new brakes and the renewal of many perishable components. Six months later he spent a further £2,700 doing similar things. Having used the car sparingly but wanting to maintain it in the manner it deserves, our vendor has enjoyed a number of European driving trips where he says the Volante has performed superbly.

The fabric hood has been looked after and operates as it should. The originally supplied leather hood cover and its bag are present and correct, as is the original Aston Martin umbrella. The car is offered for sale with the private registration "S5 CXO' and a fresh MoT until 13.04.16.

Equally at home on long Continental trips or winding 'B' roads, the effortless performance and incomparable touring qualities of the Vantage Volante shine through and the five-speed automatic gearbox is well suited to such a fine GT car. We all know what has happened to the values of earlier DBs, and despite being produced in reasonable numbers we feel the DB7's looks will prove timeless, and it will become more and more desirable to collectors and enthusiasts alike, the Vantage Volante even more so.

An Aston Martin photographed in a naval dock-yard next to a cold-war submarine with a Union Jack flag fluttering away nearby - very atmospheric and the perfect illustration that in engineering design terms 'form' can follow 'function' with stunning results.

Coincidentally the submarine was named 'Ocelot', and in the world of Big Cats "an Ocelot is smaller, more nimble, quicker and considerably more rare than a Jaguar".

Not that we would dream of making the comparison!

(With thanks to the Chatham Historic Dock-yard)