As you’d expect, a great many Astons from all eras of the marque appear in the Classic Driver Marketplace. Here, we’ve picked a few of our favourites.
Designed by Frank Feeley, the DB2 was first shown in public when three of them raced at the 1949 Le Mans 24 Hours. This was followed by the appearance of a production version at the 1950 New York Motor Show. Initially built as a two-seater touring car, the DB2 – with its six-cylinder Lagonda engine – was the first real production car for Aston Martin. From 1950-53, when production ended, only 441 DB2s were built – of which the Houtkamp Collection, in Holland, currently has a RHD Vantage example for sale... view advert >>
1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Recreation
While the car in the photographs has now been sold, the Aston Workshop in County Durham will happily undertake to build your very own recreation from a donor chassis. With DB4GT Zagatos so extremely rare – and valuable – this might be a good way to (almost) achieve ownership of one of the most beautiful cars ever created, with its aerodynamic, Ercole Spada-designed bodywork and super-lightweight chassis. Even the Sanction II cars go for very strong money these days, so a recreation might be worth considering... view advert >>
Although Aston cognoscenti frown at the mention of James Bond, there’s no doubt that 007 helped to make the DB5 the widely desired car it is today. That, and the car’s elegant beauty, 282bhp 4-litre engine and ZF 5-speed gearbox. Other improvements over the standard DB4 included Girling disc brakes and electric windows. Post Vintage Engineers Limited, of West Yorkshire, is offering a Sierra blue and Fawn trim example, described as “possibly one of the most original DB5s in existence today”... view advert >>
1965 Aston Martin DB6 Short-Chassis Volante
The 1965 London Motor Show saw the unveiling of the DB6, with its much-admired Kamm tail. The DB6 Short-Chassis Volante models, however (the first Astons to adopt the Volante name for the drop-head versions), were created using the final 37 DB5 chassis, re-styled with DB6 design cues – before the DB6 Volante (no “Short-Chassis”) which followed. The example for sale at Autosport Designs Inc. of New York is one of the original 37 cars.
2004-spec Aston Martin DB7 Zagato
Only 99 examples of the DB7 Zagato were produced in 2003 and 2004, with their huge front grille and double-bubble roofline. Zagato also gave the car single round tail-lights and 5-spoke alloys (designed by Zagato), while the engine was a 435bhp version of the 6-litre V12 in the DB7 GT. The car in the picture is no.53 of the 99 produced, and is said to have covered just 9,500 miles from new. The RHD car is on sale from Nicholas Mee and Company, of London W6... view advert >>
Once seen, never forgotten. The instantly recognisable wedge-shaped Aston first unveiled in 1976 is, truly, a 1970s icon – even though (with production at just one car per week) the first deliveries weren’t made till 1979. And it wasn’t for another three years that the Lagonda passed the strict U.S. regulations for sale in the States. The four-door Aston saloon was designed by William Towns – who refreshed the styling in 1987 with a slightly more ‘rounded’ look. Although only 645 cars in total were built (each one took 2,200 man hours), the Lagonda stayed in production right through to 1989. If you fancy a bit of 1970s chic, check out the car for sale at Hyman Ltd. Classic Cars of St. Louis... view advert >>
1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante
First revealed in early 1977, the V8 Vantage made full use of the strength and reliability of the Aston V8 engine – by squeezing 380bhp (a 40% increase) out of the 5.3-litre unit. But the increased power demanded changes in aerodynamics – hence the rear spoiler, front skirt and blanked-off bonnet air scoop. The car pictured is one of the 37 Volante versions produced – this one boasting a new R.S. Williams 7.0-litre engine. It’s for sale from Bramley, in Guildford, Surrey... view advert >>
1996 Aston Martin Virage Volante
The “first truly new Aston Martin in nearly 20 years” (Aston’s own words), the Virage was unveiled at the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show. Using a redeveloped version of the robust 5.3-litre V8 engine, the new car aimed to be quieter and more comfortable than earlier models – and indeed it was. In 1990 – again at Birmingham – the Virage Volante appeared, still a full four-seater and still with that excellent 5.3-litre V8. The example for sale from Noble House B.V. in Holland is LHD with automatic transmission... view advert >>
1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato
Flipping back to 1986, and the world saw the introduction of a limited-edition Zagato version of the V8 Vantage – renewing a dormant partnership with the admired Italian coachbuilder. Just 52 examples of the coupé – with its lightweight, hand-rolled aluminium body – were built between 1986 and 1990, and one of them is currently for sale at Hexagon Classics in London SW7. It’s in Javelin Grey metallic, with a black hide interior, and just 12,023 miles on the odometer... view advert >>
Production of the V12 Vanquish began in 2001, the car boasting a bonded aluminium chassis but also staying true to Aston’s commitment to traditional craftsmanship. Building on the car’s success, the Vanquish S featured an increase in engine power (up from 460bhp to 520bhp) and a quoted top speed in excess of 200mph. This made it one of the fastest Aston Martin road cars ever built at Newport Pagnell. Aston Sales Kensington has a 2007 Titanium Silver example for sale... view advert >>
Photos: Dealers
