Aston Martin Vantage GT12 | Spotted

The ultimate V12 Vantage is 10 years old already - and looks better than ever

With Adrian Hallmark heading up Aston Martin, it seems like we can expect many more derivatives over the coming months and years. There are S variants of the core models (Vantage, DB12, DBX), and the SUV has already been received well. Even with more than 800hp, the Vanquish may well evolve into something even faster, too - certainly it has the chassis to take advantage.

Hopefully the expansion of the Aston lineup can include a return to the GT-badged Vantages, too, because they were really special. And a bit silly, too, but that was the point: the traditional, cultured Aston Martins remained, while these existed for those who wanted a more extreme take. It’s now more than a decade since a Vantage GT3 was first exhibited to the world, then swiftly renamed GT12 for the 2015 Geneva show after Porsche made a fuss. It was really an Aston unlike anything that had been seen before; there had been more focused Vantages offered over the years, cars like the N420 and even the V12 Vantage S, but none quite so serious (or as powerful) as the GT12. There were carbon panels, manual seats, a lithium ion battery and more for a 100kg weight reduction.

Then there was the outrageous aerodynamic overhaul, generating meaningful downforce unlike any other Vantage (or any other Aston up to that point save the One-77, really). Even with the mighty V12 turned off, the design overhaul meant the GT12 was instantly recognisable from the rest of the Vantage line up. And while there were always going to be detractors, buyers took to the idea, and a run of 4.7-litre GT8s followed. In all there were just 250 (with 100 of those being V12s), but the impact of both GT Vantages far exceeded the modest production - they proved Aston could do epic road racers with the best of them.

The original owner of this GT12 fully embraced its loud and lairy nature, opting for a special order ‘Verde Mantis’ paint. Which, yes, is a Lamborghini colour. It also has the magnesium wheels fitted, a hugely expensive extra that will bring some meaningful benefits for the unsprung mass. And at some point over the past decade the V12 has been treated to a Bamford Rose exhaust, just in case it didn’t sound sublime enough already.

Mileage has ticked along steadily enough over the years, now showing a little over 7,500. So it presents basically as new, that funny old interior unblemished and the glorious paint without flaw. But with the miles under the mag wheels, it can continue to be enjoyed as intended. Presumably one or two GT12s have never seen a good road, let alone a circuit, and that seems a crying shame given the potential.

The asking price for this one, the only GT12 in the PH classifieds, is £284,950. Which is more than a GT3 RS, before anyone says anything. It’s more than a Huracan Performante, too, and a McLaren 675LT. Not only, however, is the Aston much rarer than all of those cars, they’ve all been superseded over the past decade, replaced by more powerful, more capable roadgoing track cars. The GT12 stands proud as the ultimate naturally aspirated Vantage (aside from the crazy rare V600), a special status that will endure for a good while yet. Even if Aston does as we’re all hoping and resurrects the badge for the current car - bring on 750hp…

SPECIFICATION | ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE GT12

Engine: 5,935cc V12
Transmission: 7-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 600@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 461@5,500rpm
MPG: 19.8 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 332g/km
Year registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 7,512
Price new: from £250,000
Yours for: £284,950

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Geoffcapes

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