1996 ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE V600

Having secured a majority shareholding in Aston Martin in 1987, the Ford Motor Company sought to update the main V8 model line-up for the 1990s after almost 20 years of production. The new 5.3L Virage began to be delivered in early 1989, but it was not until 1992 that Aston released the V8 Vantage, the company’s flagship offering. 

With the addition of a pair of Eaton superchargers to the 5.4L V8, the car was capable of producing 550bhp at 6,500rpm, making it the world’s most powerful production car. The bodywork was extensively restyled with flared arches, aluminium panels and upgraded ventilated discs were installed in each corner to aid stopping the almost two tonne car. It was not until 1998 that the factory prepared V600 driving package upgrade became available. 

The V600 was not a specific model but rather a collection of modifications developed and fitted by Aston Martin Works for the Vantage offered for new and existing cars. An uprated charge air cooling system and bigger bore sports exhaust allowed the engine to produce 600bhp at 6,500rpm and a staggering 813Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. 

Other modifications included a close ratio 5 speed manual transmission, traction control, revised AP grooved brake discs to reduce brake fade, hollow spoke magnesium rims and reworked suspension with stiffer springs and adjustable Koni dampers. This engine was the final and ultimate version of Tadek Marek’s V8 design that originated in 1968 and was capable or propelling the Vantage to over 200mph. 

It is impossible to know exact production numbers but it is commonly agreed to be between 80 and 100 cars to the V600 specification.

This Vantage was first supplied by Aston Martin Sevenoaks in November 1996, remaining in the United Kingdom ever since. The car has had a succession of seven owners since new, all of which are documented on file. The car has a full service and MOT history, its original owner’s handbook and Certificate of Ownership which details the high level of care and maintenance that the car received with Aston Martin Works directly and subsequently with marque specialists Nicholas Mee & Co.

Chassis 70120 was modified to V600 specification in August 1999 at a recorded mileage of 4,000 miles. The speedometer and other gauges were upgraded in July 2001 at a recorded mileage of 13,264 miles, meaning that the cumulative mileage of the car today is 32,624 miles. The car last had a comprehensive service in 2021 and has been stored carefully and used occasionally ever since.