Aston Martin DB7 Automatic

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"Short of rowing for Oxford at the Henley Regatta with a double Tanqueray and tonic balanced on your knee, there are few experiences more acutely British than climbing into an Aston Martin DB7."

As Car and Driver reported in September 1996, the DB7 set new standards for the world's most famous brand and went on to become the most successful Aston ever, with more than 7,000 made before it was replaced by the DB9 in 2003. Impeccably styled by Ian Callum, the DB7 is also widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cars of all time.

Put together like no Aston before, each bodyshell took five days to complete before being shipped off to Rolls-Royce for a paint job so deep you could drown in it. The engines were based on proven Jaguar units but were assembled and reworked by Tom Walkinshaw Racing. The 24-valve in-line six displaces only 3.2 litres, but with some 15psi of supercharged atmosphere rammed down its intakes, it produces a massive 335bhp at 5,750rpm, sufficient to hurl the Aston to 60 in just 5.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 165mph.

It also sounds wonderful with a spine-tingling wail as the supercharger spools up to do its work. The handling also inspires confidence and was specially developed for British roads, while the ride is superb for such a sporting model. Subtle touches abound, like tiny tubes that funnel air-conditioned breezes to each headlamp nacelle, keeping the lenses fog-free. And before you close the doors, the side glass drops a half-inch to ease the process, then rises again to provide a perfect seal. Best of all, some 20 years down the line and the car still has a fine reputation for reliability, a rare quality in a supercar of this performance.

This impressive Solent Silver automatic DB7 was delivered new by PJ Evans in Birmingham in 1997. A combination of a duplicate service book and numerous bills and invoices combine to show a good maintenance record. Its first major service was at 10,700 miles through the suppling dealer. Paramount of Derby gave it a service at 19,400 miles in 2002 after which it was serviced by HWM in Weybridge at 21,172 miles a year later. A string of MOTs shows its gradual build up of mileage and further service bills from specialists, the last dated 2015, confirm that the current reading of 30,150 miles is correct. The current MOT runs until November.

The vendor acquired the car fairly recently through Piston Heads and although in love with the stunning shape of the car, finds his ‘harder edged’ Maserati more to his liking and so has decided the Aston must go. Ever since the meteoric rise in classic Aston values, we've felt that the time has come to snap up well cared for, low mileage DB7s while they are still available. Here’s your chance to do just that.