2007 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S 2+2 Ultimate Edition - Unregistered - 522km †

An entirely new Aston Martin for the 21st Century, the V12 Vanquish debuted at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2001 with deliveries commencing a few months later. The Vanquish became, as intended, the marque’s flagship model and the Newport Pagnell factory saw an extensive multi-million-pound refurbishment to accommodate it, gaining a new assembly line, paint shop, rolling road and water test facility. The car’s launch was hailed by the automotive press and whilst domestic dealerships took the predicted fountain-penned signatures of the traditional Aston buyer, the international glitterati needed a bit more persuading. Enter stage right via the famous gun barrel and iconic theme tune, the best ambassador since 1964, of the marque, Mr James Bond, and his worldwide audience.

The 2002 film Die Another Day, with Pierce Brosnan as the ultimate secret agent, showcased the new Vanquish in the best advertisement imaginable for any new supercar. Amidst the explosions and machine gun fire, the Vanquish not only looked fantastic but was obviously capable of epic performance. Fame and gadgets aside, the Vanquish was recognised as one of the ten most beautiful cars ever built by Autocar Magazine in April 2022. Built with two interior configurations, firstly as a two-seater with a rear parcel shelf, and what later became known as the 2+2 with the addition of a couple of child-friendly rear seats.

Launched in 2004, the Vanquish S saw significant upgrades within the engine bay over the initial launch model producing 520bhp, an output good enough to whistle the S up to 200mph. The previously-optional Sports Dynamic Pack of enhanced steering, suspension and brakes came as standard with the S. By 2006, it was apparent that both the days of the V12 Vanquish and indeed Aston Martin production at Newport Pagnell were drawing to an end and a new era was being planned.

In early 2007, Aston announced the final version of the V12 Vanquish S, the Ultimate Edition of just 50 cars. The Ultimate Editions were special, not just as the final production run of the 2,589 Vanquishes, but the cars marked the end of 50 years of manufacturing at Newport Pagnell. Since 1955 over 13,300 cars had been hand-built by seasoned craftsmen within the red brick workshops and they include the legendary nine-time race winner and 1959 Le Mans victor, the DBR1, the iconic DB5, successive derivatives of the DBS, handsomely brutish 1990s supercars and the marque-saving DB7 Coupé and Volante. The Vanquish had drawn inspiration from Aston’s heritage but its modern lines can still be seen in today’s current range.

The Ultimate Edition was available by special request to customers wishing to celebrate the end of this chapter in Aston Martin’s history. The whole allocation was sold within a couple of weeks with just 20 in right-hand drive and 30 cars with the steering wheel on the left.

The cars specified in ‘Ultimate Black’, a shade described as ‘black with a hint of red and blue’, were unique. Inside, the interior was trimmed in a semi-aniline leather, with coarse stitching, leather headlining and chrome fittings. Each car was also fitted with personalised sill plaques denoting its limited-edition number. No additional charge was made for the Ultimate Edition, available only with the 2+2 seating arrangement, and by invitation, it was priced in the UK at £182,095.

Purchased and put on private display for 15 years, this car, numbered 40 of the 50 Ultimate Editions, left the factory with a black interior, and was subsequently re-trimmed, in period, in the eye-catching shade of yellow leather it wears today. Remaining unregistered, but on a NOVA declaration, car #40 was treated to an extensive programme of recommissioning by Aston Martin Works, with the final page of the accompanying receipts dated 5th January 2023. It’s presented to auction with the aforementioned invoices, factory records confirming the original black interior and an odometer reading of just 522km from new at the time of cataloguing.

We declare that the car is VAT-qualifying for those who intend to purchase the car privately within the UK.