Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977)

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Jagvar at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Overview
Manufacturer	Aston Martin
Production	1977–1989 534 built^[1] 342 Saloon 192 Volante
Body and chassis
Class	Grand tourer Muscle car
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	5.3 L V8 6.3 L V8
Chronology
Predecessor	Aston Martin Vantage
Successor	Virage/V8 Vantage

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a British grand tourer, a higher performance version of the Aston Martin V8. It was hailed at its 1977 introduction as "Britain's First Supercar" (sometimes nicknamed "British Muscle car") for its 170 mph (270 km/h) top speed. Its engine was shared with the Lagonda, but it used high-performance camshafts, increased compression ratio, larger inlet valves and bigger carburettors mounted on new manifolds for increased output. Straight-line performance was the best of the day, with acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.3 seconds, one-tenth of a second quicker than the Ferrari Daytona.^[2]

Design

The first series equipped with four 48IDF2/100 Weber carburetors produced 390 bhp (395 PS; 291 kW) (estimated) at 5800 rpm and 406 lb⋅ft (550 N⋅m) at 4500 rpm of torque,^[3] and series specific details such as a blanked bonnet vent and a separate rear spoiler.^[4] 38 of these were built (plus 13 "Cosmetics" for the US).^[5] The Oscar India (for 1 October, the date of introduction) version, introduced in late 1978, featured an integrated tea-tray spoiler and smoother bonnet bulge. Inside, a black leather-covered dash replaced the previous walnut. The wooden dashboard did find its way back into the Vantage during the eighties, giving a more luxurious appearance. The Oscar India version also received a slight increase in power, to 390 bhp (291 kW).^[5] This line was produced, with some running changes, until 1989. From 1986 the engine had 403 bhp (301 kW).

One of the most noticeable features was the closed-off hood bulge rather than the open scoop found on the normal V8. The grille area was also closed off, with twin driving lights inserted and a spoiler added to the bootlid.

1990 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante, with the big wheelarches and sideskirts. Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1986–1989 580 'X-Pack' was a further upgrade, with Cosworth pistons and Nimrod racing-type heads producing 403 hp. A 'big bore' after-market option was also available from Works Service, with 50 mm carbs (instead of 48 mm) and straight-through exhaust system giving 432 hp (the same engine as fitted to the limited-edition V8 Zagato.^[5] 16-inch wheels were also now fitted. If this wasn't enough, a 450 hp (336 kW) 6.3-litre version was also available from Aston Martin, and independents offered a 7-litre version.^[6]

304 Series 2 Vantage coupés were built - including 131 X-Packs^[7] - and 192 Volantes (in spite of only having been officially introduced in 1986, near the end of production). Of the 'Cosmetic' Vantage (for the US Swiss and Japanese markets, with fuel injection instead of Weber carburettors), 14 Series 2 coupés and 56 Volantes were built.^[5] Cosmetic Vantages lacked the powerful Vantage engine but retained the Vantage name and most of its body alterations - though the lack of carburettors allowed a flattened hood. From 1980 they featured DOT-approved 5 mph (8 km/h) safety bumpers front and rear. Most of these cars have since been retrofitted with full power, European spec engines.^[5]

Although the full spec (carburettor) Vantage models were not imported into the USA when new, they now qualify for entry under the DOT's 'Show and Display' rules in most US States. Federal requirements are also less strict for cars over 25 years old (as most Vantages now are).^[8]

1986 V8 Vantage Volante (USA Specification). Brett Weinstein (Wikipedia User: Nrbelex), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Vantage Volante

A Vantage Volante convertible version was also produced between 1986 and 1989. Six mechanically similar cars had been built earlier to special order, but it was not regularly available until then. The production version featured an even deeper front spoiler than fitted to the Vantage, even wider wheel arches, and extended side skirts. The Vantage Volante also had a rear spoiler, which the regular Volante did not feature. In total, 166 Vantage Volantes were built, with the last ones leaving the factory in December 1989. In 1987 Charles, Prince of Wales took delivery of a Vantage Volante, but at his request without the production car's wider wheelarches, front air dam and side skirts. This became known as the 'Prince of Wales Spec' (or PoW) and around another 26 such cars were built by the factory. These are now generally considered the most desirable of all the 1970s/80s V8 models. Combined with the PoW cars, 192 Vantage Volantes were built.

The Living Daylights

James Bond's car (registered on 18 March 1985 as B549 WUU; last on the road 1 July 2006)^[9] in the 1987 film The Living Daylights.

At the beginning of the film, the car is a V8 Volante (convertible). The car used in these scenes was a Volante owned by Aston Martin Lagonda chairman, Victor Gauntlett. Later, the car is fitted with a hardtop ("winterised") at Q Branch, and these scenes feature a pair of non-Vantage V8 saloons, fitted with the same number plate as the initial car, but with Vantage badges now fitted to match the previous Vantage. The number plate B549 WUU was painted on the upper portion of Pierre Gasly's Red Bull Racing RB15's rear wing for the 2019 British Grand Prix.

The alterations and gadgets featured were:

Police band radio
Tyre Spikes
Rocket motor behind rear number plate
Retractable outriggers
Heat-seeking missiles behind front fog lights
Lasers in front wheel hubcaps
Bulletproof windows and body
Self-destruct system

The car is set to return to the franchise in the film No Time to Die, to be released in April 2021. ^[10]

Comments

Aston Martin Lagonda road car timeline, 1948–present.

Type	1940s		1950s										1960s										1970s										1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s										2020s
	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1
Owner	David Brown																								William Wilson			Minden & Sprague						Victor Gauntlett et al.											Ford															Independent consortium
City Car																																																																Cygnet
Luxury Car																																																														Rapide
		2.6 ltr				3 ltr								Rapide													Lagonda																																									Taraf
Grand Tourer											DB4					DB5 & Volante				DBS & Vantage										V8 Vantage																V8 Vantage												Vantage													Vantage
	DB1		DB2			DB2/4 & MKIII												DB6																													DB7										DB9 & V12 Virage												DB11
																						DBS V8 & AM V8																				V8 Virage							V8					Vanquish						DBS V12					Vanquish						DBS Superleggera
Limited Production																																																															One-77					Vulcan						Victor
													DB4 Zagato																										V8 Zagato																DB7 Zagato		DB AR1							V12 Zagato		DBS/DB9/Virage Zagato				Vanquish Zagato		DBS GT Zagato	Valkyrie
																																																																									Valhalla
Sports prototype																																																																									V12 Speedster
SUV																																																																									DBX
Concept Car	Atom Bulldog Vignale CC100 DP-100 DB10 Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2
Colour code	Aston Martin badge Lagonda badge

Aston Martin V8 Vantage