by Mike –
I have loved this generation of Aston Martin for years. The style reminds me of the late ’60s Ford Mustang but more elegant, especially the interior.
This Aston Martin muscle car, with more style and luxury than any American muscle car, is very rare. It is interesting how Aston Martin blocked air flow through the grille and hood scoop forcing air flow through the front valance.
1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage ‘X-Pack’
At the RM Southeby’s Arizona auction on January 29, 2016. Estimate: $500,000 – $575,000
RM Sotheby’s writes,
432 bhp, 5,340 cc DOHC camshaft aluminum V-8 engine with four dual-barrel downdraft Weber 48IDF3 carburetors, five-speed ZF manual transmission, independent front suspension with upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, and anti-roll bar, de Dion live rear axle with radius arms and coil springs, and four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 102.8 in.
The ultimate “true” V8 Vantage, in high-performance European specification
One of only 137 “X-Packs” built; 432–brake horsepower Weber-carbureted engine
Recent, full cosmetic restoration by marque specialists in the U.K.
The first X-Pack offered publically in the U.S.
“Imagine if a Hemi Roadrunner was built by Bentley…”
The true V8 Vantage supercar version of Aston Martin’s standard-bearer (simply known as the V8) was never sold new in the United States due to emissions regulations, as the fire-breathing 4×2 Weber carburetors and low-restriction exhaust were never to be compliant.
Sharing the same aluminum body shell as the V8, the V8 Vantage featured aggressive body upgrades that improved high-speed stability, and it was easily distinguished by its blanked-off grille and hood scoop, forcing airflow through the front valance for superior cooling.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Not really fair to insult American muscle cars while praising the attributes of this AM. The AM came out over 15 years passed the heyday of the American muscle car era, and tastes had changed by 1987, especially since the price point for the AM was more than 5x the cost of American muscle cars. Apples and oranges here. Glenn in the Bronx, NY.
Glenn,
I didn’t mean to insult American muscle cars. My comments were aimed at the interiors where I believe American car companies have always lagged behind European car companies.
That is a sexy car! This would look great next to a Grifo in the garage.
Hmmm…very interesting idea!