1988 ASTON MARTIN V8 VOLANTE

Introduced in 1977, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage featured a 5.3-litre V8, equipped with modified Weber carburettors and revised camshafts, produced an estimated 390bhp, giving the British grand tourer a top speed approaching 170mph. The additional power was matched by uprated suspension, a ZF five-speed manual gearbox, with a sophisticated, tuned chassis. When the open-top V8 Vantage Volante arrived at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1986, its deep front spoiler, extended sills, flared wheelarches and pronounced rear spoiler gave it an unmistakably extrovert appearance. For customers who preferred their performance delivered with greater discretion, an altogether more subtle alternative would soon emerge.

The catalyst was a unique V8 Volante commissioned in 1987 for HRH The Prince of Wales, now King Charles III. A gift from the late Emir of Bahrain, the car was created to meet the Prince’s preference for Vantage performance without the more conspicuous bodywork of the V8 Vantage Volante. Starting with the standard V8 Volante, Aston Martin fitted the Vantage engine and uprated suspension, together with subtly flared wheelarches and the larger 16-inch wheels of the Vantage saloon. The result was a quintessential ‘Q car’, understated in appearance, but possessing the performance of Aston Martin’s flagship V8. Its individual interior details included a leather-trimmed centre armrest, a walnut-covered oddments box in place of the ashtray and cigar lighter, recessed switches and a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel. Demand from other VIP customers prompted Aston Martin to offer the Prince of Wales, or PoW, specification more widely. Between 1986 and 1989, a total of 27 cars were built to this theme, 22 full-specification right-hand-drive examples for the British market and five left-hand-drive cars for North America, the latter featuring Federal-emission compliant engines and other unsightly cosmetic changes.

Another chapter in the story commenced when three further PoW spec V8s had been commissioned by the McCaig family. These examples stand apart from the first 27 cars as the base for the factory conversion was a V8 Vantage Volante adding the clean lines of the PoW specification while retaining the ‘cam-tail’ from the Vantage model. At the time the McCaig family funded the world-famous Ecurie Ecosse racing team running Aston Martin’s Group C project, for this reason the three cars commissioned became referred to in some circles as the V8 Vantage Volante PoW Flip-tail (Ecurie Ecosse).

This example, chassis number ‘#15665’, is the second of the ‘Flip-tail’ trio and its history is supported by some compelling factory documentation. A letter from Aston Martin dated 2010 confirms that the car was originally built as a V8 Vantage Volante before being modified. Quoting a factory record dated 29 April 1988, the letter details the removal of the Vantage side skirts and front spoiler, the reworking of the fabricated wheelarches, and the fitting of front and rear under-valances with stainless steel side finishers. The letter concludes unequivocally that the bodywork was altered to represent Prince of Wales specification.

Following its sale by Brooks at the inaugural Aston Martin Works Service auction in May 2000, the car received a bare metal respray, from Suffolk Red to Welsh Green, while the Tan upholstery was refinished with matching green piping. Its Vantage-style blanked front panel was also replaced with the more conventional mesh grille of the standard Volante. Today, the car is accompanied by a comprehensive history file that reflects a life of careful maintenance, with invoices from respected specialists including Aston Martin Works Service, RS Williams and Nicholas Mee. Further highlights include an unleaded engine conversion carried out at Newport Pagnell and the addition of a factory handling kit. The file retains important original documentation, including the Warranty Certificate and Certificate of Ownership, both dated 13 May 1988, together with the original book of service vouchers. It has been checked over and fully serviced by a known Aston Martin specialist prior to the sale with a fresh MOT due to expire in October 2027.

This exceptionally rare, Ecurie Ecosse-associated PoW V8 Vantage Volante occupies a distinctive place in Aston Martin’s history. With just three examples commissioned to this specification, a documented factory conversion and a substantial history file, Chassis #15665 represents a remarkable opportunity for the discerning collector to acquire one of the marque’s most individual and compelling interpretations of the classic British 'Grand Tourer'.