By now you will probably have seen the latest trailer for Spectre. In it there's a better peek at the DB10, the latest Bond Aston. Rather excellent it looks too, complete even with one of those manual gearbox things.
And the concept was shown in 1998!
Anyhow, what better excuse to search out another Aston preferred by 007? It could have been the DBS - certainly the films are better - but when this kind of Vanquish is for sale there's really no other alternative. It of course was the star of Die Another Day, Pierce Brosnan's last 007 adventure and, arguably, the best bit of the film. Yes, it wasn't an actual Vanquish used but it still looked damn good skidding across a frozen lake.
Moreover, the Vanquish is a very significant car in the history of Aston Martin. It was the first of the modern Astons, with styling that has clearly influenced subsequent cars and new technology like the paddleshift gearbox and carbon/aluminium construction. You have to wonder where Aston would be without cars like the Vanquish, plus of course the DB9 and V8 Vantage that followed.
The Vanquish also deserves some retrospective appreciation because it still looks magnificent. The original Project Vantage Concept was actually shown in January 1998 (!) and changed little before making production as the Vanquish. Assertive and powerful yet still restrained enough and classy, it really is a triumph of design.
this
is no ordinary Vanquish. It's an
Ultimate Edition
, one of the last 50 Vanquishes made and one of only 20 in right-hand drive. Based on the Vanquish S, each Ultimate Edition was painted Ultimate Black (natch) with some fancy leather and a sill plaque inside. It was announced at the same time as the
Works manual conversions
so, really, it would be rude not to have the job done...
The Ultimate cost £182,095 back in 2007; this car is offered at POA but a figure above £200K would seem likely. The last non-Ultimate Vanquishes are £190K with more miles and without the limited-edition status. For the look without the provenance, very nice early Vanquishes are available at less than £60K.
With the Aston-AMG era imminent, will there be increased demand for the limited run models of the past decade or so? Along with the Ultimate Edition, cars like the manual only V12 Vantages must surely have some appeal to collectors. But really this deserves a few more grand tours before it's tucked away and preserved. There's only 4,000 miles recorded after all. Which way to the Dolomites?
ASTON MARTIN V12 VANQUISH S ULTIMATE EDITION
Engine: 5,935cc V12
Transmission: 6-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 527@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 425@5,800rpm
MPG: 14.9
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2007
Recorded mileage: 4,000
Price new: £182,095
Yours for: £POA
View the original advert here.