Aston Martin DB7 GT: Spotted

Well if you prefer a more traditional Aston V12 than the DB11...

New V12 Aston Martins don't come along all that often, so they're certainly worth celebrating. Understandably there's been plenty of interest in the DB11, from its motor show debut to the first drive to our recent 911 Turbo twin test. It marks a bold new future for Aston, with turbochargers, automatic gearboxes and more dramatic styling. And powder blue paint...

Can we be picky and have the standard wheels?

So how about some rose-tinted reminiscing? It's not like the Aston back catalogue is short of legendary V12s, the problem being choosing one. The DB9 is arguably too obvious a choice, the DBS and Virage closely related and therefore dismissed by association. And we featured a Vanquish a little while back. But a DB7? Now we're talking...

Moreover, this is not any old DB7. It's a DB7 GT, the very rare run out special that was, going off the reviews, probably the best DB7 produced.

Beyond the visual embellishments (the mesh grille, larger spoiler, bonnet bulges and badges), the GT featured modifications including (but not limited to) more power and torque, a louder exhaust and revised suspension. Back when PH drove the DB7 GT in 2003, it was described as "well up for a bit of B-road blasting", with particular praise for the brakes, steering and - wouldn't you know - the noise from the V12. As a final farewell for the DB7, it fitted the bill perfectly. Much like the DB9 GT did 13 years later, in fact.

Unsurprisingly then the last DB7 remains rather in demand; it was only ever offered as a coupe, not many were made and the manual is the more desirable transmission. Plus if the colour combination the DB11 was supplied in really doesn't do it for you, what about Nero Black with burgundy? Suits rather well. This one has only covered 20,000 miles since 2003 with a full Aston service history to back that up - if you want a DB7 GT, there can't be many (if any) better than this.

Black with burgundy and a manual? Yes!

The price? £80,000. Yep, £80K. If that comes as something of a surprise it's worth noting that manual DB7s of any description are hard to come by, and that even a six-cylinder Volante with similar mileage to this GT is £45,000. The desirable cars continue to go up!

But we should consider just what else is available at the money too, because £80,000 opens up a lot of possibilities. There's a myriad of of DB9s on offer, of course, but if it must be a manual V12 GT with its origins in the 90s, then how about a Ferrari 456? An older design, yes, but one that still looks so good (like the Aston) in 2016. Updating the formula a little, the Maserati GranTurismo is comfortably within budget, this money putting some of the later (and racier) versions within reach.

So there are no shortage of alternatives, yet it seems unlikely the GT will struggle for a buyer. It's the best example of the car that saved Aston Martin (again), offered in fantastic condition and a great spec. Finally, if the cost does have to be justified, it's a hell of a lot less than a Zagato...

ASTON MARTIN DB7 GT
Engine: 5,935cc, V12
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 441@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 410@5,000rpm
MPG: 14
CO2: 476g/km
First registered: 2003
Recorded mileage: 20,000
Price then: £104,500
Price now: £79,995