2001 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage

One former keeper & 38,000 miles from new

Estimate: £20,000 - £25,000*

Reg No: X681 USG MOT: T.B.A

Chassis No: SCFAB12311K301489

“For the record, the Aston Martin Symphony for 12 cylinders and 2 exhausts is the sweetest sound on tuned pipes this side of J.S. Bach himself . . . If Venus were to come calling as a GT Coupe, she’d look like this” (Car and Driver, September 2000).

Introduced at the March 1999 Geneva Salon, the Vantage version of Aston Martin’s landmark DB7 broke with marque tradition by using a wholly different engine rather than a punchier version of its sister car’s existing powerplant. Breathed on by Cosworth, the newcomer’s ‘heart’ was a 5935cc 48-valve, all-alloy V12 that developed 420bhp and 400lbft. Initially available with a choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, the DB7 Vantage could be had with ZF’s Touchtronic semi-auto from 2000 onwards (0-60mph in 4.9 seconds, limited 165mph top speed). To cope with such performance, the 2+2-seater’s structure, suspension and brakes were all upgraded. Asked to rework his masterpiece, stylist Ian Callum added a reshaped back bumper, more pronounced sills, combined driving lamps / indicators and horizontal bars to the radiator grille. Priced at £92,500, Aston Martin’s flagship came with central locking, electric windows / mirrors, traction control, ABS, air-conditioning, front airbags, alarm / immobilizer and 18-inch alloy wheels as standard. Notable as the marque’s first V12 production model, the DB7 Vantage lasted until 2003 by which time some 2,385 Coupes had been made.

Finished in Platinum Silver Metallic with Cream leather upholstery and Black carpets, ‘X681 USG’ has had just one former keeper and covered a mere 38,000 miles from new. Reportedly supplied via the Murray Motor Company, it is further understood to have been serviced no fewer than thirteen times (with much of the maintenance being carried out by main dealers). Riding on 10-spoke alloy wheels, the Aston Martin’s specification also encompasses a sports steering wheel, Touchtronic transmission, burr oak veneers, sat-nav and CD stereo. A tempting proposition, ‘X681 USG’ is expected to possess a fresh MOT certificate by the time of sale.