2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Race Collection Coupé #007 of 007 - 608 Kilometres

The unique V8 Vantage offered here is one of a series of seven commissioned from Aston Martin by a VIP customer and known as the 'V8 Racing Collection', each of which features unique livery and sill plates engraved 'V8 Vantage Race Collection 007 of 007'. This car carries the livery known as 'Elwood Blue', which is inspired by Aston Martin's bright blue Nürburgring 24h race car. The Vantage in both V8 and V12 format competed in numerous 24h races at the iconic German circuit.

Introduced for the 2006 model year, Aston Martin's V8 Vantage Coupé was launched at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, a convertible Roadster following later that year. Although it resurrected a famous model designation from the Company's past, the latest Vantage was all-new, featuring a 4.3-litre quad-cam V8 engine loosely patterned on Jaguar's 'AJ' unit and equipped in its Aston guise with dry-sump lubrication. The latter enabled the engine to be mounted low in the bonded aluminium body/chassis for better handling, while the use of a rear transaxle resulted in near-perfect 49/51 front/rear weight distribution.

The Vantage was manufactured at Aston Martin's Headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire, a facility that combines the firm's renowned hand-crafted bespoke capabilities with the technology required to manufacture the bonded aluminium body/chassis structure. Exquisitely designed and detailed while possessing class-leading agility and performance, the Vantage was nevertheless a practical two-seater with a large tailgate providing access to the 300-litre rear luggage compartment. The Vantage also benefited from numerous passive and active safety systems.

In May 2008, Aston Martin introduced numerous updates for the Vantage, the most significant being an extensively revised engine of 4.7-litres capacity producing 420bhp and 347lb/ft of torque (a 15% increase). There was also new software for the 'Sportshift' automated manual transmission and stiffened suspension featuring Bilstein dampers. New styles of wheels were also part of the update. Thanks to the increased power and torque there was a welcome boost in performance, the 0-60mph (97km/h) time dropping to 4.7 seconds and the top speed increasing to 180mph (290km/h).

Built to Swiss specifications, this car boasts numerous special features in addition to the generous inventory of standard equipment. Option highlights include the following: special Elwood Blue paintwork, maximum leather interior trim, Gunmetal facia trim, Obsidian Black steering wheel, cruise control, memory seats and mirrors, red brake callipers, front parking sensors, Sports Pack, Aston Martin 700W Premium Audio, heated front seats, satellite navigation,voice activated Bluetooth telephone,and auto-dimming interior mirror.

Kept on static display as part of a private Cllection, the Vantage benefits from recommissioning by Stratton Motor Company last year. Presented with just 608km the hammer price is clear of all VAT, yet reclaimable should the car be exported or bought by a company, and the buyer should be aware they must register the car themselves with the DVLA should the car remain in the UK.