Why was this so expensive ?

[Cheib]

Was just reading the main story on the Bonham's auction and saw this

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20927/lot/219/

£400k?!?!?!

I know it's a Special/Limited Edition but blimey that seems expensive.

[V8LM]

Cheib said:

I know it's a Special/Limited Edition but blimey that seems expensive.

Limited in the extreme. Not a production car. Each unique.

[Cheib]

V8LM said:

Cheib said:

I know it's a Special/Limited Edition but blimey that seems expensive.

Limited in the extreme. Not a production car. Each unique.

In terms of drive line and chassis or how's it's finished ? Or everything ?

How much would something like this have cost new then ? I am assuming serious, serious money for it to be worth £400k now.

[V8LM]

Cheib said:

In terms of drive line and chassis or how's it's finished ? Or everything ?

How much would something like this have cost new then ? I am assuming serious, serious money for it to be worth £400k now.

The last production V8 car was the 40 Le Mans which cost £232k + bits. For their very special customers, Aston offered a special - a Volante version of the Vantage. Eight were built (plus one LWB version for a particular customer who didn't take delivery) and each of the eight customers could spec how they wanted the car built. Some have Le Mans-styling, some are V600, some have extra vents. 001 sold at Bonhams in 2007 for £238k.

Values have increased, and this car came to the market just at the right time for the two people that were bidding on it.

[jonby]

To add to what the others have correctly said above, these 9 volantes were the only soft top versions of the 550/600bhp forced induction V8 Vantage ever made

They started life at 230k base price and were very individual. That was for a 550bhp version and you had to pay more if you wanted the 600 bhp version, though I imagine most would have done that. These cars were mostly for regular longstanding customers with individually created handbooks to take into account the unique specification of each one

If you factor in 1 LWB compared to 8 SWB, then the fact there are LHD & RHD, then which had what engine, then if some opted for Le mans spec and you may well find there are only say 2/3/4 LHD SWB 600bhp versions ever made such as this one - simple supply & demand of course then comes into play. On top of all that, I'm not sure but I think you could choose auto or manual

[hornbaek]

...the interior was still hideous in that green colour.

[V8LM]

jonby said:

To add to what the others have correctly said above, these 9 volantes were the only soft top versions of the 550/600bhp forced induction V8 Vantage ever made

They started life at 230k base price and were very individual. That was for a 550bhp version and you had to pay more if you wanted the 600 bhp version, though I imagine most would have done that. These cars were mostly for regular longstanding customers with individually created handbooks to take into account the unique specification of each one

If you factor in 1 LWB compared to 8 SWB, then the fact there are LHD & RHD, then which had what engine, then if some opted for Le mans spec and you may well find there are only say 2/3/4 LHD SWB 600bhp versions ever made such as this one - simple supply & demand of course then comes into play. On top of all that, I'm not sure but I think you could choose auto or manual

Except it isn't a V600.

[V8LM]

hornbaek said:

...the interior was still hideous in that green colour.

That was my first thought, but having seen it I think it's lovely and goes so well with the dark walnut dash and Cumberland grey exterior.

Each to their own.

[Mr Aston Martin]

Centenary year seems to have heightened the company profile and prices.

In one of the previous bubbles I had a client who committed suicide because of the debt he had taken on to acquire his collection.

[Cheib]

Mr Aston Martin said:

Centenary year seems to have heightened the company profile and prices.

In one of the previous bubbles I had a client who committed suicide because of the debt he had taken on to acquire his collection.

Taking on leverage for investments is questionable with liquid assets but for something like classic cars it's just mental. Terrible to hear.

[jonby]

V8LM said:

jonby said:

To add to what the others have correctly said above, these 9 volantes were the only soft top versions of the 550/600bhp forced induction V8 Vantage ever made

They started life at 230k base price and were very individual. That was for a 550bhp version and you had to pay more if you wanted the 600 bhp version, though I imagine most would have done that. These cars were mostly for regular longstanding customers with individually created handbooks to take into account the unique specification of each one

If you factor in 1 LWB compared to 8 SWB, then the fact there are LHD & RHD, then which had what engine, then if some opted for Le mans spec and you may well find there are only say 2/3/4 LHD SWB 600bhp versions ever made such as this one - simple supply & demand of course then comes into play. On top of all that, I'm not sure but I think you could choose auto or manual

Except it isn't a V600.

I think I may have been getting confused in my own peculiar way with the zagato volante which had the higher powered of the 2 engine options in that car but you are of course quite correct - my mistake - makes this seem a little more expensive than I realised - are there any records as to how many were produce with each engine option ?

[V8LM]

jonby said:

I think I may have been getting confused in my own peculiar way with the zagato volante which had the higher powered of the 2 engine options in that car but you are of course quite correct - my mistake - makes this seem a little more expensive than I realised - are there any records as to how many were produce with each engine option ?

http://v8vantage.com/Vantage%20Volante%20Special%2...

ETA: six of the nine were V600 spec, three 550. The LWB (a very heavy car!) was the only automatic.

Edited by V8LM on Monday 20th May 19:59

[jonby]

V8LM said:

jonby said:

I think I may have been getting confused in my own peculiar way with the zagato volante which had the higher powered of the 2 engine options in that car but you are of course quite correct - my mistake - makes this seem a little more expensive than I realised - are there any records as to how many were produce with each engine option ?

http://v8vantage.com/Vantage%20Volante%20Special%2...

ETA: six of the nine were V600 spec, three 550. The LWB (a very heavy car!) was the only automatic.

Edited by V8LM on Monday 20th May 19:59

fascinating. I see this was one of just 3 LHD and the only LHD 550 - are there any perceived advantages to the 550 over the 600 or is the higher powered engine always the more desirable ?

[V8LM]

jonby said:

fascinating. I see this was one of just 3 LHD and the only LHD 550 - are there any perceived advantages to the 550 over the 600 or is the higher powered engine always the more desirable ?

The engine is strong and can easily take the power, so can't think of any advantage of a 550 except for saving the £32k price tag or whatever it was. In use in all but the hotest climate, however, I can't see an advantage of a 600.

The V600 was developed to provide the power in the hot climate of a special customer. The quicker 0 - 60 time was achieved primarily by changing the diff ratio so 60 can be reached without changing gear. I've not driven a V600 without the taller diff and 5 speeds or a 550 without the shorter one and 6 speeds. The engine is strong - the development 550 (V590) engines were pushing out a lot more than 600 on the bench. Lots of pub-talk advantages of a 600 though, and avoiding the 'it's only a 550' comment.

[goorwich]

More money than good sense ?