If it seems like only yesterday that PH was blithering on about the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S, that's
because it was
. However, it's a very popular car and, well, would you look at this one?
Dark green with tan inside? Yum!
Officially this is the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80. In addition to what's seen here, the car will also be offered with the manual gearbox. Jolly good. Oh yes, and it pays tribute to one of our most legendary planes. Makes you proud to be British, doesn't it?
The first Supermarine Spitfire flight was - according to Wikipedia at least - on March 5, 1936. So this launch doesn't quite tie in perfectly with the anniversary (and the customer handover will be in October), but who are we to complain about a couple of months here or there?
The Spitfire 80 is mechanically identical to the V12 Vantage S, with each of the eight then distinguished by this lovely paint scheme. Created by Aston's Q division, the external colour is Duxford Green, complemented on the outside by a yellow pinstripe and inside by saddle leather and 'Spitfire 80' logos on the seats. Note also the exhausts which mimic the plane, the carbon diffuser and the solid sterling silver Aston Martin badges.
Don't forget about the extra equipment either. Buyers will be gifted a Spitfire 80 Irvin jacket, plus a flying helmet and goggles (!). Each customer will also get a leather photo album of the handover, taking place on October 18 at Duxford and including a Spitfire flyover, a talk from a veteran pilot and a museum tour for the full Brit love in. Splendid!
Should you wish to be one of those customers, the car is exclusively being sold at Aston Cambridge. As mentioned, there will be just eight made and each will cost £180,000. That's £39,505 more than a regular V12 S, but the dealer will make a donation from each car sold to the RAF welfare charity. Buy a V12 Aston and donate to charity? Win-win!