Aston Martin Vantage GT8 | Spotted
With Le Mans imminent, what better time to recall one of the most charismatic road racers around?
Jonny Adam's stunning last lap overtake in 2017, taking the GTE victory at the very last moment, is one of those unforgettable and iconic Le Mans moments. Not only was it a hugely popular triumph among the travelling British contingent, the win was also made to seem poignant by it being the last Le Mans for that long-running era of Vantage. For years it had beguiled drivers and fans alike with its gorgeous styling and rollicking soundtrack - it was the perfect send off.
As for the roadgoing Vantage, Aston Martin had done the same with the GT8 the year previously. By imbuing the car with some GTE attitude, in much the same way as the GT12 had done with the GT3 car in 2015, Aston ensured that the final years of Vantage production would be extremely memorable ones. Louder, firmer and fiercer than already emotional standard cars, both GT8 and 12 left a lasting impression on all those who drove them. Or merely came in earshot, actually.
Moreover, despite a few issues, the limited production runs, naturally-aspirated engines and road racer looks have ensured values have remained strong. In 2016, a Vantage GT8 would set you back £165,000; in 2019 a Vantage GT8 will set you back at least £165,000.
So a GT8 looks a pretty safe (as well as desirable) place to put a lot of money. No doubt attention will be refocused on it soon as the manual gearbox returns to the Vantage. Different prospects they might be, but a comparison between AMR and GT8 seems inevitable given how they represent consecutive chapters of the V8 Aston story.
This one looks especially nice; perhaps it's nothing more than Le Mans nostalgia, but there's something about a racy Aston Martin painted green that makes it even more special than most. The colour is complemented by yellow accents - brake calipers, stitching, headrest logos - and it's only just ticked over 1,000 miles. Something of a shame, it could be argued, though that does mean the next owner effectively inherits a new car.
When Dan T drove the car back in 2016 he reckoned that the Speedshift option was a more comfortable fit with the motorsport vibe - a valid point, given the occasionally bolshy nature of an Aston manual. But from the perspective of a collector, there's a suspicion that the clutch and stick combo might hold greater appeal in the future. After all, the Speedshift is far from the greatest automatic in the world, either.
A coveted Aston in a superb spec is going to be a lovely thing, both for now and the years to come, although £170k does open up many possibilities for equally lovely things on four wheels. It would be impossible to discuss motorsport-inspired racing cars for any amount of time without mentioning the 911 GT3, especially now the manual gearbox has returned. While there will be more Porsches than the 150 GT8s produced, this GT3 Clubsport presents a fairly compelling case with fewer than 2,000 miles at £145k. In addition, the GT8 faces equally valid competition from in its own ranks: while a GT12 is out of budget, the incredible V12 Vantage S most certainly makes the grade, and with a manual gearbox. This Flugplatz Blue car has just 92 miles on it and is £10,000 less, for example. Finally, if a manual gearbox is not the be all and end all, the McLaren 600LT starts at £175k secondhand - quite some alternative.
Still, for those with their heart set on a GT8 - and it's easy to see why it might be - this one is perhaps the most appealing of the lot. And while it might be a bit late for Le Mans now, there's an AMOC race day at Oulton Park the first weekend of July - perfect excuse for a day out...
SPECIFICATION - ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE GT8
Engine: 4,735cc V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 446@7,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 361@5,000rpm
MPG: N/A (standard 20.5)
CO2: N/A (321g/km)
First registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 1,441
Price new: £165,000 (before options)
Yours for: £169,850
What the article doesn't say is that there's a very active owners club for the GT8s, organise meet-ups, visits etc. So hopefully whoever buys this will get involved
So it might have 2 year old unleaded in it? Says it all really: collectors, investors and minted 'driving hipsters' will still want their cars with sticks pointing up from the floor, because that is the only way to feel 'connected' to their machine. If I did have the money, I'll stick with the auto version thanks, as fugged if I'd be blowing this much wad on a car just to have it sit as a show pony in the garage or outside at the local 'cars and caffeine' event.
Says it all really: collectors, investors and minted 'driving hipsters' will still want their cars with sticks pointing up from the floor, because that is the only way to feel 'connected' to their machine. If I did have the money, I'll stick with the auto version thanks, as fugged if I'd be blowing this much wad on a car just to have it sit as a show pony in the garage or outside at the local 'cars and caffeine' event.
Interestingly though, the GT8 club guys put some miles on their cars. They certainly get some use on the whole, with relatively few sat at delivery miles. I'd love a GT8, there's a wide spectrum of differently specced cars out there, I've seen fairly subdued ones through to Halo edition examples with all the trimmings and lime essence stripes that make some quarters of PH break out in a rash.
A brilliant place to sit, an intoxicating noise and a truly analogue driving experience. The old Vantage might not have been the pinnacle of driving dynamics, but for steering feel and brake pedal feel, it was sublime. The GT8 just ramped the whole experience up a notch
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