1997 Aston Martin V8 Coupe

• Superbly finished in Pentland Green with Parchment leather piped in green
• A rare member of the Aston V8 family in a classic colour combination
• Owned by our Aston enthusiast vendor since 2016 and only selling due to emigration
• The odometer reading is some 45,600 miles (atoc) and a fresh MOT is planned 
• Serviced in 2019 by marque specialist, Christian Lewis, with invoices totalling £6,630
• Fitted with an automatic gearbox, it's presented to auction with a history file and V5c

Launched at the International Motor Show in Birmingham during October 1988, the sensational newcomer re-stated its Aston Martin V8 forerunner's brawny looks in the modern idiom, contriving to be slightly narrower yet providing increased interior space. The car was still no lightweight, but with 330bhp on tap courtesy of the trusty V8 engine's new 32-valve top end, was good enough for a top speed approaching 160mph and a 0-60mph time of under seven seconds.

After spearheading the Aston Martin V8's transformation for the 1990s, the Virage name was dropped during 1994, its place as the 'standard' model being taken by a Vantage-style V8 Coupe. Introduced at the Geneva Salon in March 1996, the new V8 Coupe adopted all of the Vantage's muscular styling cues but retained the normally aspirated, 5.3-litre engine of the Virage and delivered similar performance. The model formed part of the Aston Martin range for just three years and is one of the rarer members of the modern V8 family.

Finished in Pentland Green with a green-piped, Parchment leather interior, this automatic transmission V8 Coupe was sold new to a Mr Cooney of North Yorkshire in July 1997 and he owned it until 2003. Whilst in Mr Cooney's ownership, '79041' made regular visits to the 'Works' at Newport Pagnell, including one for a repair to the nose under warranty. The car also had a 'sports exhaust' fitted and a Vantage boot conversion amongst other works.

In October 2003, the Aston was transferred to a Mr Kohler of Hertfordshire. Aston Martin Works records contain multiple invoices for work and services up to 2007 and the car benefited from the attentions of Aston Engineering, Derby in October 2015. Marque specialist, Christian Lewis, carried out a service this year and the car was fitted with new shock absorbers. The service book records a change of speedometer by Aston Martin Works in February 2000 at 10,670 miles, a used instrument registering 2,086 miles being fitted at that time; hence the mileage is 8,584 more than the current reading of 45,240, totalling circa 54,000. The service book is signed by the engineer on that date for verification. Further owners enjoyed the car until our vendor bought it in 2016, the car joining his Aston collection consisting of coupes from the 1960s to the 2000s. With a permanent move to Spain planned for the end of the year, this car is therefore very competitively guided.