1997 Aston Martin V8 Coupé
Registration no. P248 SPU
Chassis no. SCFDAM2SXVBR79043
Engine no. 95/79043/A

After spearheading the Aston Martin V8's transformation for the 1990s, the Virage was dropped during 1994, its place as the 'standard' model being taken by the Vantage-style V8 Coupé. 'We wanted a car that was a new form. Fresh, exciting, purposeful but unquestionably Aston Martin,' explained Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Victor Gauntlett on the announcement of the Virage, while stressing: 'It was important that, although new in virtually every way, the Virage was of evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, design. It has to be a car that could stand in line with every post-war Aston Martin and be the self-evident successor to that tradition.'

Launched at the International Motor Show, Birmingham, in October 1988, the sensational Virage had restated 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.

Introduced at the Geneva Salon in March 1996, the new V8 Coupé adopted all of the supercharged 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, with only 101 examples built.

Finished in Avon Black with Charcoal-piped Parchment leather interior, this particular V8 Coupé was first registered in April 1997 to Aston Martin Lagonda Limited, Newport Pagnell as the company demonstrator. The car has Works Service history up until September 1997 when it was sold, while subsequent servicing has been carried out by main dealers up to 30,800 miles. 'P248 SPU' has now covered 38,300 miles from new and is described as in generally very good order. The car comes complete with service book/handbook, full tool kit, car cover, sundry invoices, build record and V5 registration document.