RE: Aston Martin DB7 | The Brave Pill
Discussion
A few facts to augment the story, from my time at Jaguar where I was involved in a number of engine projects as least partially related to the DB7
1) This is an XJS floorpan. The still-born F Type (XJ41/42) was a new platform. TBH not much of the F Type made it into the DB7 (possibly the headlamps and some other body/trim parts). The F Type was going to have a twin-turbo version of the AJ6 not the supercharged which made production in the X300.
2) The 3.2l engine in DB7 is a "mix and match" of Jaguar parts except for the intake manifold which was changed so the engine was visually different to the Jaguar. The choice of 3.2l was based on a desire to "not be the same engine as Jaguar" and "to have high BHP/litre" and due to the fact that the engine needed to be boosted harder with the smaller displacement it is actually a fair bit less effcienct than the 4.0l and can't rev any higher because of the rev limit on the SC. The SC is driven at a higher ratio than the Jag which is at least partly why it is noiser than the Jag version.
3) The six cylinder was discontinued after the V12 was launched, not only because most people (rightly) wanted the V12, but also because the factory that made the six cylinder (Radford in Coventry, the former Daimler works) was demolished after X308 launch so the six cylinders were being "hand assembled" in very low volume and were therefore probably as expensive (or at least very nearly) as the V12
1) This is an XJS floorpan. The still-born F Type (XJ41/42) was a new platform. TBH not much of the F Type made it into the DB7 (possibly the headlamps and some other body/trim parts). The F Type was going to have a twin-turbo version of the AJ6 not the supercharged which made production in the X300.
2) The 3.2l engine in DB7 is a "mix and match" of Jaguar parts except for the intake manifold which was changed so the engine was visually different to the Jaguar. The choice of 3.2l was based on a desire to "not be the same engine as Jaguar" and "to have high BHP/litre" and due to the fact that the engine needed to be boosted harder with the smaller displacement it is actually a fair bit less effcienct than the 4.0l and can't rev any higher because of the rev limit on the SC. The SC is driven at a higher ratio than the Jag which is at least partly why it is noiser than the Jag version.
3) The six cylinder was discontinued after the V12 was launched, not only because most people (rightly) wanted the V12, but also because the factory that made the six cylinder (Radford in Coventry, the former Daimler works) was demolished after X308 launch so the six cylinders were being "hand assembled" in very low volume and were therefore probably as expensive (or at least very nearly) as the V12
They were famous for their sublimely smooth sixes, I think. 
tty British weather rusts (them). Don't blame the car, blame this dump!!! 
T1berious said:
Venisonpie said:
Blimey, WBAC have that at £150!
Looking at the body kit they're about right.
WBAC also had an E30 M3 at you, guessed it £150 - the same car actually went for 80K, make of that what you will....Looking at the body kit they're about right.
Agreed the body kit is erm challenging?
Venisonpie said:
I suspect their algorithm is defaulting to that figure for anything left field as it's better to focus on pricing the mainstream fodder about to be turfed into the market.
Their website is generally doing strange things at the moment. They valued my 2016 BMW 5 series at £7k. Sent an email shortly after apologising for the low valuation blaming Covid. How much of the mechanicals does the DB7 share with the old XKR? Dropping the supercharged engine and gear gearbox into this might make it a very nice car.
Edited by ballans on Saturday 21st March 10:46
Horses for courses, I love the look of the DB7 but at 6'2" really don't fit well. The DB9 is a more comfortable place to be, and will probably be were I ultimately place my posterior. Nothing these cars do is any worse than anything an XJ-S does, and given that the are both equally DIY-able I think it's as brave as any other neo-classic exotic car.
Shame I don't really fit.
Shame I don't really fit.
I sat in one of these at Blackbushe Car Auctions once. The interior is so crap it's almost comical - horrible seats, steering wheel and gearknob and black plastic Ford switchgear.
I'm surprised AM haven't produced a kit of nicer parts to retrofit as they have a whole department dedicated to upgrading older cars.
I'm surprised AM haven't produced a kit of nicer parts to retrofit as they have a whole department dedicated to upgrading older cars.
tomic said:
I'm surprised AM haven't produced a kit of nicer parts to retrofit as they have a whole department dedicated to upgrading older cars.
I'm not, firstly the Works Service upgrades are mind warpingly expensive. Secondly the DB7 is recognised for what it is by AM themselves. Thirdly they would have to invest a fortune to make the tooling with very little chance of selling anything. Fouthly the Upgrades for say Virage V8 are based on the later Vantage and V8 Coupe parts, so the sourcing and tooling process as already happened, for the DB7 it would be a case of redesigning and new tooling for obsolete components for a 15 year OOP car.A DB7 with just 100k miles (I think) went for just over £10k at the H+H auction on Wednesday 18th March.
Values were quite a bit down on everything except Minis and Mk 1 Escorts
due to spooking of the market. I tried to find it but no results can now be viewed online. It as if the auction never happened. Conspiracy??
Values were quite a bit down on everything except Minis and Mk 1 Escorts
due to spooking of the market. I tried to find it but no results can now be viewed online. It as if the auction never happened. Conspiracy??GingerMunky said:
sidesauce said:
To my eyes at least, this design hasn't dated well. Much prefer the DB9 aesthetically.
Agree the DB9 is a beautiful car. The servicing cost on this over 3 years will cost as much as the car it just doesn't compute considering its Ford parts bin!V8fan said:
A DB7 with just 100k miles (I think) went for just over £10k at the H+H auction on Wednesday 18th March.
Values were quite a bit down on everything except Minis and Mk 1 Escorts due to spooking of the market. I tried to find it but no results can now be viewed online. It as if the auction never happened. Conspiracy??
I couldn't find results either. Perhaps I dreamt watching the live feed on Wednesday. Values were quite a bit down on everything except Minis and Mk 1 Escorts
due to spooking of the market. I tried to find it but no results can now be viewed online. It as if the auction never happened. Conspiracy??I bought a DB7 Vantage a couple of years' ago, and I do think that it is a truly beautiful thing. The interior is quite old fashioned and a bit cramped, but I spend most of my time looking outside, so it doesn't trouble me. It isn't all that nice to drive, feeling very big and cumbersome. But when you put your foot down, it goes like a rocket. I actually like the use of the Ford parts bin. It keeps the running costs down, and a minor switch designed for a mass market car is likely to be more reliable than one made for low volume production.My running costs have been very reasonable so far - about £1100 in 2 years..
I think these are handsome looking cars, and those early wheels look lovely.
There was a manual BRG one for sale on eBay earlier this year for £12k, with magnolia piped leather. It did have rusty rear arches and paint fade on one rear quarter.
But, the switch gear really does look and feel low rent on these. Does not go with the Aston name and heritage at all.
And, I doubt this is that much of a brave pill Any decent old school Jaguar mechanic will be able to service the engine for a reasonable cost - they won't be / should not be as expensive as some newer Aston models, due to the parts bin sharing.
I have seen V8 Vantages going for £16k and some earlier DB9 models going for £18k, which would be better propositions IMO.
There was a manual BRG one for sale on eBay earlier this year for £12k, with magnolia piped leather. It did have rusty rear arches and paint fade on one rear quarter.
But, the switch gear really does look and feel low rent on these. Does not go with the Aston name and heritage at all.
And, I doubt this is that much of a brave pill Any decent old school Jaguar mechanic will be able to service the engine for a reasonable cost - they won't be / should not be as expensive as some newer Aston models, due to the parts bin sharing.
I have seen V8 Vantages going for £16k and some earlier DB9 models going for £18k, which would be better propositions IMO.
Alan535 said:
That looks like a supra and probbly slower.
You've just ruined the lustfulness I suffer for these in the same way my wife does when she sees a pretty girl on the telly and says "doesn't she look like your cousin/my sister/Betty from the grocers". 20+ years of admiration down the toilet in an instant, I hope you're happy! You've crushed my crush, but you're right, does look like a feckin Supra.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff