History

The contemporary Aston Martin Vantage continued the hand-built legacy of the British automaker’s line of sports cars. It was to be Aston’s mid-range “affordable” model that could be daily driven, reliable but without sacrificing any of the quality. Initially, the first version utilized a 4.3L V8 engine, making 380 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque. Much like the rest of the car, the front mid-mounted engine was hand-built at the AM facility in Cologne, Germany, and designed in-house by Aston Martin. 

In May 2008, Aston Martin announced several changes and upgrades for the 2009 model year. Thanks to thinner pressed-in cylinder liners versus the original cast-in ones, a bigger bore and stroke, as well as a modified dry sump lubrication system, the engine’s displacement was upgraded to 4.7L, which gave it a much more potent power rating of 420 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque. With a 49-51 front/rear weight distribution, the V8 Vantage could now reach 0-60 mph in around 4.3 seconds and a new top speed of 180 mph, while slotted Brembo brakes handled the stopping power. At the same time, the Sportshift automated manual transmission received a software update with dual throttle mapping for sport and comfort modes, alongside a lightened flywheel for both the Sportshift and manual variant. Even the suspension got some love, with stiffer springs and new Bilstein dampers. The cabin remained relatively unchanged, save for an updated console that resembled the one in the Aston Martin DBS and DB9.

Yet another refresh came in the middle of the 2012 model year, when Aston Martin replaced the 6-speed Sportshift with the 7-speed Sportshift II first used in the V8 Vantage S, as well as upgraded six-piston front brake calipers, and updated front and rear styling. This would be the last set of major changes, sans the GT which featured a handful of minor upgrades. By 2018 however, the proprietary Aston Martin V8 would be replaced with a Mercedes AMG unit, and the car changed forever.

This Car

This particular example, Chassis # SCFEKBAK3EGC18285, is a 2014 model year, benefiting from the 2012.5 updates. As such, it features the quicker 4.7L V8 engine as well as the upgraded 7-speed Sportshift II automated manual transmission. It is finished in the fitting Aston Martin shade of Tungsten Silver over a Phantom Gray and Obsidian Black interior. This example is also well optioned, totaling over $22,000 worth of boxes checked. The list includes the 700w premium audio system, a carbon fiber splitter & diffuser, red brake calipers, the sports muffler, a bright finish front grille, a leather ECU pouch, heated front seats with fine stitching and memory, a second glass key, black meshes, a black textured tailpipe finisher, carbon side strakes, glass switches, clear rear lamps, an umbrella, and thievery good looking 19-inch V Spoke Graphite DT wheels. With these options, the total MSRP is just over $145,000.

It was imported from Southampton, United Kingdom, in November 2013, before being sold to its first owner in June 2014 through Exclusive Automotive Group in Ashburn, VA. In April 2015 it was purchased by Toy Barn in Dublin, OH, where it was offered for sale. The second owner acquired this Vantage on April 18, 2015, with 6,902 miles on the odometer, before moving to California. Here it was frequently serviced at Jaguar Land Rover in Newport Beach, CA, before later being listed for sale through this same dealer in August 2016.

The third and current collector-owner purchased this Vantage in October 2016 with 10,819 miles and brought it home to Pennsylvania. They went on to enjoy this Aston Martin V8 Vantage the longest, clocking in eight years and nine months of fun-filled ownership.

As it sits, this is a lovely example of one of Aston Martin’s most well-known sports cars. Its low miles and terrific condition are a testament to the previous owners’ meticulous care and attention to detail. Production numbers for this particular specification (non-”S” 2014 Aston Martin V8 Vantage) are unavailable, and a quick search of available examples shows they are nearly non-existent. Making this quite rare, and the last of a breed. A rare opportunity to acquire an excellent Aston Martin.

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