1990 Aston Martin Virage

Description

On offer from a Special Cotswold Collection; rare 5-speed manual Virage Coupe from long term ownership in a beautiful colour combination showing just 65,000 miles; one of only 411 made

Supplied new by the Stratton Motor Company in April 1991 to first owner, Fotorama UK Ltd, this beautiful hand-built Aston Martin Virage (chassis #LBR50019) has had just four owners since, our vendor acquiring it to join his collection in February 1999.

Looking both brutish and elegant at the same time, the all-aluminium coachwork is finished in striking Salisbury Blue and it sits on its original 16-inch alloy wheels shod with correct Avon Turbospeed 255/60/16 tyres. The interior features 2+2 seating with luxurious Magnolia leather upholstery piped in blue, electric seat adjustment with memory, electric windows, climate control, digital on-board computer, walnut trim and smart suede headlining.

Under the bonnet of this rare Coupe (only 411 were built) lurks the 5.3-litre 32-valve V8 engine boasting Callaway-developed cylinder heads and Weber-Marelli fuel injection system which developed 330bhp and a whopping 494NM of torque. Driving the rear wheels here via the rarer and more driver-focused five-speed ZF dog-leg manual transmission, period road tests achieved 0-60 in around 7 seconds with a top speed of 160mph.

"Acceleration just never seems to run out", gushed Sports Car International on a first test. They also praised the "eager and quick revving" nature of the engine, the build quality, the effective climate control system and the “astonishingly good ride”. Well, what do you expect for £135,000?

The car shows 65,577 miles but the service book documents a speedo change at 381 miles and there are various discrepancies in the MOT history caused by errors with the digital speedo following visits to Aston Martin Works Service for routine servicing so the true mileage is uncertain but seems likely to be around 66,000. The service book has 7 stamps, the last by AM Works at 22,307 miles in 2011.

Bills on file include a recent £1,533 spend at Aston Martin Cheltenham in April 2024 to attend to a non-starting issue and illegible LCD odometer screen; £1,961 spent in August 2018 on a new water pump, brake hose and alternator belt; £2,454 spent in February 2012 on two new ECUs and other associated works; £4,396 spent at AM Heritage Centre in January 2011 on a 10,000 mile service plus new front springs and repairs to the undertrays and front spoiler.

June 2003 saw a considerable £7,688 spend at AM Works Service on a new clutch, specialist prop-shaft repair, repair to the vehicle information centre/odometer, brake pads and service at an indicated 23,812 miles. August 2000 saw a £4,340 spend when the cylinder heads were removed and inspected (no fault was found) and fitted with new gaskets including new front crankshaft gasket plus another odometer repair. June 1999 at 16,593 miles saw the prop shaft removed, overhauled and re-balanced plus fitment of an exchange instrument cluster.

Supplied with its original owner’s pack, it also comes with 21 old MOTs plus the current MOT valid until 18^th July 2024 showing no advisories. 

The car presents well with just a few minor cosmetic imperfections as shown in the last few photos. Starting promptly and running nicely as we have moved it around on site, the car pulls away with consummate ease thanks to all that torque, with the discreet V8 burble ever present and good oil pressure.

Altogether a super example of this hand-built exotic from long term ownership, in a striking colour, with considerable history and desirable manual gearbox too. We love it.

Contact: [email protected]