Aston Martin V8 Volante - 1982
The Zoute Sale - Bonhams
Estimated : € 175.000 - 225.000
Sold for € 201.250
Zoute Grand Prix 2023
Knokke - Zoute
België - Belgium
October 2023
Shortly after reorganisation under new ownership as AML (1975) Ltd, Aston Martin resumed development of its highly successful V8. A host of improvements was to be incorporated in the forthcoming Series 4, scheduled for introduction in October 1978. Built from then until 1986, these cars are generally known by the factory's 'Oscar India' sobriquet, standing for 'October Introduction'. The most obvious differences were a restyled bonnet and boot-mounted spoiler, while the cabin received a redesigned dashboard and centre console, and the headlining became leather rather than cloth. There were, of course, countless other improvements, most notably to the air conditioning and shock absorber settings.
Described by former Aston Martin Chairman Victor Gauntlett as "a stylish thoroughbred, beautifully built, luxurious, fast and immensely safe," the V8 was built in several variants, one of the more exclusive being the Volante Convertible. Introduced in response to customer demand for such a car, the Volante was announced in June 1978. Arguably the ultimate in soft-top luxury, the newcomer boasted a lined, power-operated top which, when erected, endowed the walnut embellished interior with all the solidity and refinement associated with the saloon version. Although its open-car aerodynamics meant that top speed suffered with the top down, the Volante's 150mph maximum nevertheless ranked it among the world's fastest convertibles. All Series 1 Volantes were built to the improved 'Oscar India' specification of the Series 4 saloon.
The V8 Volante would receive the same periodic upgrades and refinements as the saloon version, the Series 2 (like the Series 5 saloon) switching to BBS wheels and Weber-Marelli fuel injection in 1983. A flatter bonnet was adopted in 1986. V8 Volante and Vantage Volante chassis numbers ran from '15001' to '15849', a total of 849 cars. The last V8 Volantes were built in 1989.
According to copies of Aston Martin's factory build records, this V8 Volante convertible was built during February 1982 and shipped on 2nd March of that year. The car was delivered new to the USA through the official importer, Aston Martin Inc. '15261' was manufactured with left-hand drive and the five-speed manual transmission, just as it is today. The Volante left the factory finished in Canterbury Blue with natural beige interior, matching convertible top, and carpets in contrasting brown.
The Volante is believed to have been purchased by a New York-based enthusiast. The accompanying CarFax report pinpoints the car in New York City in 1986, and regular entries on the report shows it remaining there until 2015. The Aston Martin is believed to have remained with the same owner for more than three decades The odometer reading of fewer than 30,000 miles is believed to be genuine and is supported by the CarFax report issued in 2015.
The current owner acquired this V8 Volante in 2016 and repatriated it to Europe that same year. The car then underwent a thorough mechanical inspection, and numerous worn parts were overhauled or replaced (brakes, ignition, fuel pump, etc). A couple of years later, the owner decided to undertake a comprehensive restoration of the bodywork and interior. The car was stripped to bare metal, converted to chrome bumpers, and repainted in its original livery of Canterbury Blue. The interior was fully re-trimmed in the original tan colour, with matching brown carpets. Finally, the hood was re-covered in natural beige as it still is today.
Aston Martin V8 Volante - 1982
The Zoute Sale - Bonhams
Estimated : € 175.000 - 225.000
Sold for € 201.250
Zoute Grand Prix 2023
Knokke - Zoute
België - Belgium
October 2023
Shortly after reorganisation under new ownership as AML (1975) Ltd, Aston Martin resumed development of its highly successful V8. A host of improvements was to be incorporated in the forthcoming Series 4, scheduled for introduction in October 1978. Built from then until 1986, these cars are generally known by the factory's 'Oscar India' sobriquet, standing for 'October Introduction'. The most obvious differences were a restyled bonnet and boot-mounted spoiler, while the cabin received a redesigned dashboard and centre console, and the headlining became leather rather than cloth. There were, of course, countless other improvements, most notably to the air conditioning and shock absorber settings.
Described by former Aston Martin Chairman Victor Gauntlett as "a stylish thoroughbred, beautifully built, luxurious, fast and immensely safe," the V8 was built in several variants, one of the more exclusive being the Volante Convertible. Introduced in response to customer demand for such a car, the Volante was announced in June 1978. Arguably the ultimate in soft-top luxury, the newcomer boasted a lined, power-operated top which, when erected, endowed the walnut embellished interior with all the solidity and refinement associated with the saloon version. Although its open-car aerodynamics meant that top speed suffered with the top down, the Volante's 150mph maximum nevertheless ranked it among the world's fastest convertibles. All Series 1 Volantes were built to the improved 'Oscar India' specification of the Series 4 saloon.
The V8 Volante would receive the same periodic upgrades and refinements as the saloon version, the Series 2 (like the Series 5 saloon) switching to BBS wheels and Weber-Marelli fuel injection in 1983. A flatter bonnet was adopted in 1986. V8 Volante and Vantage Volante chassis numbers ran from '15001' to '15849', a total of 849 cars. The last V8 Volantes were built in 1989.
According to copies of Aston Martin's factory build records, this V8 Volante convertible was built during February 1982 and shipped on 2nd March of that year. The car was delivered new to the USA through the official importer, Aston Martin Inc. '15261' was manufactured with left-hand drive and the five-speed manual transmission, just as it is today. The Volante left the factory finished in Canterbury Blue with natural beige interior, matching convertible top, and carpets in contrasting brown.
The Volante is believed to have been purchased by a New York-based enthusiast. The accompanying CarFax report pinpoints the car in New York City in 1986, and regular entries on the report shows it remaining there until 2015. The Aston Martin is believed to have remained with the same owner for more than three decades The odometer reading of fewer than 30,000 miles is believed to be genuine and is supported by the CarFax report issued in 2015.
The current owner acquired this V8 Volante in 2016 and repatriated it to Europe that same year. The car then underwent a thorough mechanical inspection, and numerous worn parts were overhauled or replaced (brakes, ignition, fuel pump, etc). A couple of years later, the owner decided to undertake a comprehensive restoration of the bodywork and interior. The car was stripped to bare metal, converted to chrome bumpers, and repainted in its original livery of Canterbury Blue. The interior was fully re-trimmed in the original tan colour, with matching brown carpets. Finally, the hood was re-covered in natural beige as it still is today.