1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante

This Volante was completed on 7th November 1986 and finished in Jubilee Silver with dark blue leather interior, originally constructed with left-hand drive steering in V585 EFi specification destined for Switzerland. The Volante was retained by the factory until January 1988, used as a factory press car in LHD with factory plates ‘AML 1’ and then converted to UK RHD specification on the production line before delivery to its first owner, as denoted by the works record

On file is a copy of the original sales invoice from Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd to Aston Martin Sales Ltd dated 11th January 1988, together with the original warranty card issued to first owner Mr Robert Cooper of Cooper Metal Holdings, Swindon on 26th February 1988 with registration E612 KYH

Mr Cooper was a well known and loyal Aston Martin client and enjoyed numerous new Aston Martins for over 40 years. Mr Cooper kept this Volante until it was replaced in 1989 with a new V8 Vantage Volante ‘Ecurie Ecosse’

The Volante was sold via Straight Eight in 1989 with 2000 miles and over the winter of that year benefitted from a comprehensive upgrade programme to the latest 580X Vantage Volante cosmetic specification. This upgrade was a hugely costly process, approximately more than 50% the value of the nearly new car at the time, but with new Vantage Volante models near impossible to obtain and huge premiums being charged over list price, upgrade works were entrusted to the highly respected Aston Martin specialist Lincoln Scott and completed in early 1990

The next owner was Mr Paul Southgate of Essex, whose private collection also included a Lamborghini Countach and Espada. Throughout Mr Southgate’s ownership (1994-1998) the Volante was serviced by Aston Martin Sevenoaks and marque exponents RSW who on 6th March 1996, upraded the Volante from electronic fuel injection to V580 carburettors (while retaining its original matching-numbers engine and gearbox). It was also fitted with the latest RSW handling package and Brembo ‘big brake’ conversion, the cost of which would easily exceed £25,000 today

On 14th July 1998 at 18,610 miles the Volante was serviced by Carrera Sport of Haywards Heath, and in October of that year at 19,000 miles was sold to the previous owner via Aston specialist dealer Byron International. The Volante would remain with its former keeper for the following 25 years, covering only 9,700 miles during that time

During their custodianship the Volante benefited from chassis restoration and maintenance by marque experts John Etheridge and Nicholas Mee. From August 2002 to October 2023 the car was professionally stored in a temperature-controlled environment, regularly started and MoT tested every year until its sale on 27th October 2023 at 28,781 miles

Over the past 18 months the Volante has been the subject of extensive restoration and upgrade works by marque specialists Quantum Works and RS Williams, at a cost in excess of £60,000. An inspection in the workshop in October 2023 revealed the car to be in excellent structural condition with excellent original interior, carpets, hood and bodywork, and a very healthy engine – testifying to the ideal conditions at Tigastore

Subsequently the engine was removed, the engine and engine bay were then fully repainted and detailed with all relevant ancillaries rebuilt or replaced and re-plated. The fuel system was rebuilt and tuned; the gearbox rebuilt with a quick-shift kit; the air conditioning rebuilt with new hoses and new AC condensor; the ignition uprated; the original Ronal wheels refurbished and fitted with new Michelin Pilot Sport Tyres and the uprated RSW braking system fully rebuilt with new servos and braided brake lines, etc

The Volante has just returned from RSW with a new TCI six speed automatic gearbox fitted. Based on a GM design and developed by the factory, this electronic unit is fully mapable and can be setup according to individual driving styles, resulting in an incredible improvement in performance, drivability, fuel consumption and considerably lower revs at touring speeds