Lot 250 - 1973 Aston Martin Vantage

All 70 of these fantastic cars were ‘Vantage-engined’ to the highest state of tune for this engine – ‘SVC’. They represent a special place in Aston Martin history as they were the last six cylinder cars with a heritage stemming from the greatest era of the firm’s racing history and the last to be fitted with wire wheels. They also marked a return to the traditionally-shaped front that was first introduced in the DB3S in the early ‘fifties, continued throughout the ‘DB’ series of 4, 5, and 6, and was later adopted for all Aston Martins from the current decade – the DB9, the Vanquish, the V8 Vantage, and the current DBS. The model benefited from many improvements developed and implemented throughout the five years of DBS production, including many mechanical and cosmetic changes. Of most significance and, like the last fifty examples of the DBS, the car used the same later ‘dog leg’ ZF five speed gearbox as used in the DBSV8. It is notable that, though the V8-engined model with the same body style was introduced in 1970, demand for the six cylinder AM Vantage continued through 1973 until the factory no longer offered the alternative. Though the V8-engined cars are very fine in their own right, this affection and appreciation for the six cylinder cars has had a direct bearing on demand and they now command a premium in the market up to 50% higher than their V8 counterpart.

Sitting on attractive 72 spoke wire wheels and finished in Cornish Gold with a contrasting tan hide interior. PVO 663M is supplied with bills totalling over £11,000 in the last five years including invoices from Aston Martin Works Service, Chicane Aston Martin Specialists and a £7,000+ bill for a bare metal, windows out repaint in the original colour all documented in photos supplied in the history file. This incredibly rare example in great condition has been with its current owner since 2000, in this time it has been much improved as shown through the recent invoices and bills in its comprehensive history file. Whereas the body of the car looks as new, the interior has a lovely original patina and the engine urges you to drive with vigour. This is a fabulous car with equal desirability for a collector or an Aston Martin enthusiast. Offered with a good history file and an MoT test certificate until August 2018, importantly any minor advisory have been rectified by its diligent owner throughout his tenure. This example of a Vantage was only built for one year with merely 70 produced. A very rare and sought-after Aston, as with the earlier DB models, is fast becoming a very collectable and appreciating asset.