Understanding DB7 values

[belfry]

I have a DB7 and a DB9 Volante. The DB7 is becoming more beautiful (to my eye) each day that I own it. There is a subtleness and grace in the aesthetic design that is truly amazing.

I bought a DB7 at auction with the intention of running it for a year then selling it on, having fixed a few issues such as the air conditioning (now at 6 degrees which is too cold!). But I am starting to worry about not having this beautiful car in my collection. The DB9 is pretty too, but not in the same graceful way. I have an ad on PH and I am thinking about taking it down.

I have been looking at the designs and prices of the cars from the '70's and '80's and into the '90's. The last AM to have this type of flowing and cohesive design was the DB6 in my opinion. The chunky V8s that followed, together with the Virage era cars, have an entirely different design language.

So from my perspective, the DB6 was the last beautiful Aston until the DB7. In terms of what they are like to drive, I'm guessing that the later DB7 is likely to be faster and more capable (I have not driven a DB6 although I have owned some exotica from that era and know how some of those cars handle and perform).

My view of the design of the DB6 and 7 is purely subjective, but I remain confused about the lack of love for the DB7 styling. I understand about the perceived devaluation of Ford and Jaguar's involvement (although when I needed a new ABS module on my 7 I was pleased to be able to buy a Jaguar item for £80!!), but am I deluded about how undervalued these care are from a beauty perspective?

[belfry]

[DBSSV20]

DB7 will age much better than the 9.... ( especially the coupe as the Volante hood is a bit of dogs dinner)IMO the DB9 already looks very dated it’s screams mid 00’s ( not the most exciting period for anything to be non dating tbh )

9’s will replace 7’s as the bargain basement Aston, and too many made to pull them out of the 20k bracket.

If I was you keep the 7 and ditch the 9 before prices fall further.

[TheRainMaker]

Odd old world isn't it.

To my eye, the DB9 is way better looking.

[Healeyguy]

I don’t own either but IMHO the DB9 looks much more modern whereas the DB7 looks like it’s from a different era.

[Jon39]

Three cars all designed by the same person. The family resemblances are clear to see.
Possibly the 'golden one third' rule is not quite so evident on the DB7. Do you think the window portion of the driver door represents more than one third of the sill to roof height?

Which of these three is the most beautiful, is probably purely individual choice.







The low point values are anyone's guess.

[Buster73]

TheRainMaker said:

Odd old world isn't it.

To my eye, the DB9 is way better looking.

Agree , to the point I wouldn’t ever buy a 7 , too much like a Jag for my liking.

[Green9]

Guess I’m biased but in my mind the DB9 is a different level of beauty and aesthetic perfection than the DB7 although the I still love the look of the 7.

The problem in most people’s minds is that the 7 will find it hard to escape its Jag underpinnings, Mazda taillights and very average Ford parts-bin interior whereas on the whole, the VH platform cars are bespoke Aston with a few borrowed, mainly hidden parts (Ford key on my MY06 excluded!).

I guess only time will tell...

[TheRainMaker]

Jon39 said:

Three cars all designed by the same person. The family resemblances are clear to see.
Possibly the 'golden one third' rule is not quite so evident on the DB7. Do you think the window portion of the driver door represents more than one third of the sill to roof height?

Which of these three is the most beautiful, is probably purely individual choice.

This one :-)

[Mikebentley]

I think the 9 is a stronger looking car whereas the 7 is elegant and flowing if that makes sense. Your 7 is a particularly good looking car in that colour. I think JC off Top Gear has a soft spot for the 7 too.

[DB4DM]

Parts bins have long been used, here are some stock examples from my DB4
Door handles, rear lights: Bedford truck
Rear number plate light: Karmann Ghia
Interior lights: VW Beetle
Indicator stalk: Porsche 356
Brakes: Jaguar and stock Lockheed
Fuel system: SU
Etc

[belfry]

DB4DM said:

Parts bins have long been used, here are some stock examples from my DB4
Door handles, rear lights: Bedford truck
Rear number plate light: Karmann Ghia
Interior lights: VW Beetle
Indicator stalk: Porsche 356
Brakes: Jaguar and stock Lockheed
Fuel system: SU
Etc

I had no idea!
People often speak about the shared parts on the DB7, but we seldom hear about the same on other Aston models.

I guess that this makes the DB4 worthless and to be avoided at all costs

[DB4DM]

belfry said:

I guess that this makes the DB4 worthless and to be avoided at all costs

Especially an unrestored one like mine where Charlie made the left side and Fred made the right, so the body is not symmetrical

[Jon39]

Interesting how details of Ian Callum's original design evolved in the subsequent models.

Here we can see the differing lengths of the rear body, measured both from the rear wheel centres and from the rear shut line of the doors.

[N7GTX]

This is exactly why I have never posted any pics of my DB7 or raised any DB7 topics on here. It was also one of the main reasons I did not renew my AMOC membership.

The Jag-in-drag comments are just soooo boring......

But the upside is that this helps us maintain these cars without paying silly Aston prices e.g. diff oil seal - AM price £92.58+vat - Jaguar price £9.49+vat

@Belfry - you would be very welcome at the DB7 Appreciation Society page on Facebook.

[Jon39]

N7GTX said:

This is exactly why I have never posted any pics of my DB7 or raised any DB7 topics on here.
The Jag-in-drag comments are just soooo boring......

I can see nothing wrong with a Jaguar based Aston Martin at all. Their engineering has a very good reputation, Jaguar were technically the owners of Aston Martin and the concept Vantage was based on a DB7 with a Jaguar engine, built in India. Customers instantly loved its looks and queued to buy one.

I doubt those early potential customers, who had only seen photographs, said to dealers, "Please will you accept my deposit for the new Jag-in-drag?"

[N7GTX]

Jon39 said:

N7GTX said:

This is exactly why I have never posted any pics of my DB7 or raised any DB7 topics on here.
The Jag-in-drag comments are just soooo boring......

I can see nothing wrong with a Jaguar based Aston Martin at all. Their engineering has a very good reputation, Jaguar were technically the owners of Aston Martin and the concept Vantage was based on a DB7 with a Jaguar engine, built in India. Customers instantly loved its looks and queued to buy one.

I doubt those early potential customers, who had only seen photographs, said to dealers, "Please will you accept my deposit for the new Jag-in-drag?"

Very glad you understand. I'm sure you get the point I am making.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Jon39 said:

Interesting how details of Ian Callum's original design evolved in the subsequent models.

Here we can see the differing lengths of the rear body, measured both from the rear wheel centres and from the rear shut line of the doors.

Tsk, tsk. Comparing a 2+2 with a true 2 seater is not apples:apples now, is it? Should be a DB9 ...

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Jon39 said:

N7GTX said:

This is exactly why I have never posted any pics of my DB7 or raised any DB7 topics on here.
The Jag-in-drag comments are just soooo boring......

I can see nothing wrong with a Jaguar based Aston Martin at all. Their engineering has a very good reputation, Jaguar were technically the owners of Aston Martin and the concept Vantage was based on a DB7 with a Jaguar engine, built in India. Customers instantly loved its looks and queued to buy one.

I doubt those early potential customers, who had only seen photographs, said to dealers, "Please will you accept my deposit for the new Jag-in-drag?"

It’s not so much that it was a Jag, it was the fact that it was based on a 20 year old, antiquated platform. If the Jag bones had been from a modern Jag, reception may have been different. All that said, they did produce a lot of them and save the company.

[Jon39]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

Tsk, tsk. Comparing a 2+2 with a true 2 seater is not apples:apples now, is it? Should be a DB9 ...

Yes you are quite right, but I was more thinking about the rear silhouette shape of the two cars, where the rear (side view) of course changes without the +2 aspect. Some people comment that they like the silhouette look of the shorter rear.
The same point applies to the side view of the elongated DB6, compared to a DB5.

Perhaps surprisingly (or maybe not), the Vantage has a larger boot capacity than the DB9.