Aston Martin DB7 Vantage

"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. At first the car was only available with a 3.2-litre supercharged straight-six that produced 335bhp and could propel the car to 60mph in just 5.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 165mph. But in 1999 a Vantage model with a 6.0-litre V12 was launched that now boasted a massive 420bhp – sufficient to crack the 60mph barrier in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 186mph in manual form (the automatic was limited to 165mph). The handling is well up to the job and was specially developed for British roads, while the ride is superb for such a sporting model and the Brembo brakes provide phenomenal stopping power.

Subtle touches abound, like tiny tubes that funnel air-conditioned breezes to each headlamp nacelle, keeping the lenses fog-free. As 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 10 years down the line and the car still has a fine reputation for reliability, a rare quality in a supercar of this performance.

Dating from 1999, this six-speed manual car has effectively had only one owner from new as it was bought and sold by a speculator when just one day old. Finished in California Sage metallic with a cream leather interior piped in green, it looks absolutely stunning. With just 32,000 miles on the clock and a full Aston Martin Works service history, it is said to drive faultlessly. Fitted with four new tyres just 200 miles ago, it also has a rare factory rear light conversion that cost £8,000 and a full sports exhaust system that delivers a spine-tingling soundtrack! When you consider that this car cost £100,000 new, this one looks sensational value at the guide price suggested today. Go on, you only live once…