Aston Martin Vanquish V12 Coupe

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The last car to be handbuilt at Aston’s spiritual home in Newport Pagnell before moving to a mass production facility in Gaydon, the 2001 V12 Vanquish had ‘classic’ written all over it from the outset.

Designed by Ian Callum, its lines were reminiscent of the DB7 but its curves were deeper, its haunches sharper, its wide mouth more sultry below the animal stare of its headlight eyes. Its construction contained the DNA of endurance racing cars; a body tub made of heat-cured, bonded aluminium, braced by a central tunnel of carbon fibre, forming a shell of exceptional rigidity.

The suspension followed the latest high performance doctrine in materials and layout with aluminium double wishbones, coil springs, mono-tube dampers and anti-roll bars front and rear. Ventilated disc brakes clenched by four-piston callipers brought the big GT to a halt, while ABS and traction control managed the rubber on the road when conditions worsened. Even so, ride quality didn’t lose out; track car handling being matched by near saloon car ride.

Central to the Vanquish’s purpose was an engine capable of fending off the top European supercars; Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche. For its new car, Aston designed a V12, the 48-valve 6-litre unit developing 460bhp at 6,800rpm, with 400lb/ft of torque readily available in the engine’s mid rev range.

Racing technology infused the driver’s control of the car; 'drive by wire' throttle control and an electro-hydraulic change mechanism in the six-speed manual gearbox – a 'first' for a production car. In the cabin, the gearshift was controlled by F1-style paddles and could be operated in either of two modes - fully manual and computer-controlled automatic - with a 'sport' setting available on both. In the hands of a good driver, the Vanquish was capable of hitting 60mph in 4.5 seconds and carrying on to a top speed of 180mph.

Like the DB5 before, the smouldering GT was considered worthy of 007 in the film ‘Die Another Day’. And like James Bond, its impeccably tailored exterior oozed sophistication while leaving one in no doubt of the latent violence within.

Bought new from Charles Hurst Aston Martin, Belfast, in September 2004, this particular Vanquish has covered less than 57,000 miles with no fewer than 11 service stamps to date, all at the supplying dealer, the last less than 1,000 miles ago in December 2014, plus many supporting invoices. With just one owner from new until very recently, it looks magnificent in Jet Black with a Dark Tan leather interior and is packed full of all the luxuries you would expect in a £190,000 car including sat nav, air con, park assist, cruise control, electric heated seats etc.

Being a late 2004 model it benefits from the various upgrades introduced that year such as: improved sports front seats with extended shoulder contours and Bridge of Weir leather; a 2+2 rear seat option; Platinum ‘liquid metal’ instrument surrounds; a clear lens starter button that glows red on start-up and light blue while driving; uprated Brembo brakes with competition-derived Pagid pads, improved ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution).

Said to drive superbly and due to have a fresh MOT in time for the sale, this magnificent British supercar is guaranteed to bring a huge smile to the face of the fortunate new owner at the mere thought of it lurking in their garage. With only 1,503 V12 Vanquish coupes (and 1,086 Vanquish S models) made in total before it was replaced by the Gaydon-built DBS in 2007, this is a sure fire classic of the future and prices have already begun to rise...

AMENDMENT; This car does not have sat nav. The MOT has been sent to the DVLA for the UK registration process. It expires in July 2016. This car has had three owners from new.