2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

If the question is 911, the V8 Vantage is Britain’s answer.

If you’re looking for a luxury sports car, your first thought might be German, maybe an SL500 or a Porsche 911. But if you want to buy British, the V8 Vantage is the answer. It shares the same platform and many of its good looks with its larger, grand-touring focused DB9 sibling, but makes do with a more compact frame and four fewer cylinders.

V8 Vantage production ran for 12 years, and combined with its V12-powered variants would become Aston’s most successful model. Today, two-decades on from its original launch, it remains just as beautiful.

This example was supplied new in June of 2009 by Stratstone Cardiff, finished in an uncommon and stunning shade of DBR9 Racing Green. As a colour it is not just another racing green, but instead it honours the DBR9 race cars that took Aston to the forefront of GT racing.

The car sits on a set of 20” 5-spoke alloy wheels, the hide behind them a set of bright yellow brake calipers. Perhaps a nod to the bright yellow lipstick that adorned the DBR9 race cars. The wheels, which have recently been refurbished, are wrapped in a matching set of Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.

Aston interiors of this vintage are particularly special, like the DB9, DBS and to an extent the Vanquish it features a cascading dashboard that flows into the centre console. Naturally, the dash, centre console and pretty much everything tangible is wrapped in leather. The seats are finished in a combination of black leather, with cream centres.

As this is a “post-facelift” V8 Vantage it features the much improved 4.7-litre dry-sump lubricated V8. An engine that combines a thunderous racket that even Pavarotti would keep quiet for, with plenty of power and torque. It’s mated to Aston’s Sportshift automated manual gearbox, and power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels, a proper British muscle car.

In early 2021, the car was sent to David Appleby Engineering, a well renowned Aston Martin Specialist. During its time there the car received a program of mechanical restoration and preventative maintenance.

The work started with the driveline – with the engine and gearbox removed, a leak from the timing cover was addressed, the valve clearances checked and reset, and the big-end bearings replaced. Whilst out, the additional access meant that the air-conditioning compressor was replaced.

Once the gearbox was stripped off the engine, a twin-place ASM clutch kit was fitted, and the driveshafts were stripped down and refurbished too. Every aspect of the suspension was checked, inspected, replaced if necessary and refitted, all of course with new bolts, bearings and clips. The estimated parts and labour cost of this work is over £35,000.

Of course, throughout the car’s life, it has been consistently maintained in line with Aston Martin’s service schedule.

01/2025 – 32,928 miles – Annual service – David Appleby Engineering

04/2023 – 29,443 miles – Annual service – David Appleby Engineering

12/2021 – 27,257 miles – Annual service – David Appleby Engineering

03/2021 – 24,600 miles – Restoration works – David Appleby Engineering

12/2018 – 21,945 miles – Annual service

11/2017 – 20,242 miles – Annual service

09/2016 – 18,547 miles – Annual service

08/2015 – 16,663 miles – Annual service

07/2014 – 15,598 miles – Annual service

07/2013 – 12,867 miles – Annual service

06/2012 – 8,041 miles – Annual service – Stratstone Cardiff

01/2011 – 5,290 miles – Annual service – Stratstone Cardiff

V8 Vantages today offer extraordinary value for money, and the opportunity to own undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cars built in the 21st century. Aston Martin is a brand steeped in history and pedigree, and this their most successful model, finished in an iconic motorsport shade is the perfect example.

As with all our vehicles, an entire digital folder is available upon request and contains more images, walk-around videos, and scans of the service history. The car can also be viewed by appointment at our West London showroom.