Lot 159 - 1997 Aston Martin Vantage V550

• Delivered new to Middlesborough F.C. Chairman Steve Gibson
• Rare six speed manual gearbox with the V8 Vantage engine V550. (550bhp/550lbs.ft)
• A rare opportunity to own one of the last coachbuilt Aston Martins (1 of only 239 manufactured)

While the Vantage did bear some resemblance to the Virage, closer examination would reveal many differences - more obvious of which are the deep front spoiler, its lower stance and the flared wheel arches, which all combine to give the car a fearsome appearance, in fact only the roof and doors were common to both cars. Priced at close to £200,000 when new, these rare and powerful cars were hand built at The Aston Martin factory at Newport Pagnell. It was equipped with a 5.3 litre V8 engine sporting twin superchargers with the power output around 550 bhp, and the torque was equally impressive at 555 ft/lbs. Top speed was 186 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of just 4.6 seconds - an astonishing feat for such a large car and at the time, this was the most powerful production engine in the world.

This right hand drive example, with a manual gearbox, was originally supplied by Aston Martin dealer Reg Vardy in Tyne and Wear to Mr Stephen Gibson, Chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club. It was first registered on 27th October 1997 and finished in Suffolk red coachwork with magnolia hide and red piping. Under Mr Gibson's tenure the car had nine service stamps from Reg Vardy, He sold the car in March 2003 to an Aston Martin enthusiast and the new owner then instructed AM Works Service to maintain the car with the history file containing invoices for servicing and maintenance throughout his ownership. Our vendor purchased this car in December 2014 with 57,000 miles covered and in the five years since has travelled less than 4,000 miles

The car is supplied with a comprehensive Aston Martin service history as below

18.11.1997 - Reg Vardy 1896 miles
30.03.1998 - Reg Vardy 7271 miles
28.08.1998 - Reg Vardy 13,477 miles
16.02.1999 - Reg Vardy 17,582 miles
22.09.1999 - Reg Vardy 24,320 miles
09.06.2000 - Reg Vardy 32,088 miles
03.01.2001 - Reg Vardy 38,551 miles
13.07.2001 - Reg Vardy 43,471 miles
08.02.2002 - Reg Vardy 48,880 miles
06.02.2004 - Aston Martin Works Service 52,100 miles 
01.05.2007 - Aston Martin Works Service 54,580 miles
24.05.2011 - Aston Martin Works Service 56,852 miles
01.06.2013 - Harwoods Aston Martin 57,366 miles
25.09.2014 - Aston Engineering Derby 57,499 miles
25.04.2016 - Aston Engineering Derby 58,301 miles
13.03.2018 - AJ Tech Automotive 60,385 miles

In April 2003 the car was sent to the AM Works Service to have a replacement gearbox (at 50,000 miles approx) at a cost of £7792. A major service was carried out with Harwoods in 2013, which included a brand new clutch. Additional invoices from numerous specialists are contained in the very large history file including recent bills with Aston Martin trained technician and race prep engineer currently running an Aston Martin GT4, Will Khoo who owns and runs AJ Tech Automotive and whom the fastidious vendor trusts immensely.

Will Khoo who owns and runs AJ Tech by saying he is the senior race technician for a team that currently runs an Aston Martin GT4.

A total of 16 stamps can be found in the service booklet and this Vantage is supplied with the original owners handbooks, service booklets and invoices, current MoT test certificate and full UK V5C registration document. It is a genuine three former keeper car from new that has clearly been maintained regardless of expense and presents a rare opportunity to own one of the last coachbuilt Aston Martins.