1984 Aston Martin V8 Vantage – South African Spec

Constructed by the works in British Racing Green coachwork with Fawn hides with dark Green piping, the works record shows it was released to works on 18^th May 1984 as a demonstrator with factory registration ‘AML 1’ and 5 speed ZF manual gearbox

One of fifty-three RHD ‘BBS Vantage’ models, this car was originally used by the factory for testing and development within their ‘DP 2000’ engine programme, later forming the basis of the final ‘580X’ production series of the Vantage introduced in 1986.

Known as ‘South African’ specification due to a previous special request from the Johannesburg distributor in 1982 whose client had complained about power issues with his Vantage at high altitiude, the factory responded by developing the current V580 unit with new forged Cosworth pistons, increased compression ratio of 10.2:1, larger inlet ports, high lift cams, new distributor with revised ignition curve, larger bore 1 ¾ exhaust manifolds with big bore exhaust system with 4’’ airbox trunking and hand finished Weber 50mm IDF carbs

The extensive revisions a big improvement in power, rising from 370 bhp at 5800 rpm to 437 bhp @ 6250rpm, as such the ‘South African’ cars are widely known as being the most powerful factory production version of the Vantage engine!

This car was famously driven by Phil Hill in the 1984 ‘Road and Track High Speed Shoot-out’ at the VW test track at Ehra-Lessien, Essen, Germany, where it recorded a top speed of 175.6 MPH, making it the fastest V8 Vantage ever tested, topped only by the lighter Vantage Zagato mule that was in similar tune

Sold by the works in October 1985 to Carroll Industries to form part of Gerald Carrolls car collection, it later passed through AM exponent Roger Bennington of Stratton Motor Company in 2007 to a family friend who kept the car for the following few years.

In 2016 the Vantage benefitted from restoration of the chassis, sills and floors etc, full repaint and various mechanical improvements as well as sympathetic trim improvements by the late Lincoln Scott. The Vantage was later awarded with the ‘Valspar Trophy’ at the 2018 AMOC Autumn concours accruing an impressive 94 points on its debut concours

This historically significant Vantage is supplied with comprehensive history file that includes period factory documentation, period ‘Road and Track’ road test, extensive restoration invoices with supporting images and V5C. An exceptional example with superb pedigree, provenance and performance!!

Thanks to Kean Rogers for his assistance with the history