The Aston Martin V8 Vantage: A British Bulldog of a Supercar
Aston Martin has a long and storied history of producing some of the most beautiful and powerful cars in the world. One such car is the V8 Vantage, which was launched in 1977. This hairy-chested, patriotic ’70s supercar exudes sophistication but isn’t for the faint-hearted. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the V8 Vantage, its history, and what to look for when buying one.
The DBS and DBS V8
The V8 Vantage was not Aston Martin’s first foray into the world of high-performance grand tourers. In 1968, the company launched the DBS, which was the successor to the DB6. The DBS was designed by William Towns and featured a sleek body that was both butch and graceful. Underneath the bodywork was a competent chassis, a lavish ‘four-seat’ (2+2 in reality) interior, and a straight-six engine from the DB6 Vantage.
In 1969, the DBS V8 appeared, and it was a game-changer. The headline act was engineer Tadek Marek’s all-aluminium quad-cam 5.3-litre V8. The DBS V8 was big, heavy, fast, and impressive, and overwhelmingly British. Performance was of the order of 0-60mph in 6.0sec and a top speed of 161mph or thereabouts, and you could choose from a ZF five-speed manual or a three-speed Chrysler Torqueflite automatic gearbox.
The V8 Vantage
If the DBS V8 wasn’t quite butch enough for you, in 1977 Aston Martin launched the V8 Vantage. This bespoilered beauty was definitely not one for the faint-hearted. Driving it requires effort, especially the steering, braking, and changing gear, and even the turning circle was a massive 43ft.
The V8 Vantage featured revised ports, larger carbs, new cam timing, and other tuning tweaks that resulted in a claimed 40% hike in power and raised torque by 10%. Aston didn’t go in for publishing figures, but wise men put the output somewhere around 390bhp. Performance was upped, said Aston, to 0-62mph in 5.3sec and a top speed of 170mph – figures that made it one of the fastest cars of its day.
Visually, the V8 Vantage was disguised by a blanked-off grille, a deep glass fibre air dam, and a ducktail rear spoiler. The suspension was stiffened, and the wheels and tyres were suitably upgraded, as were the brakes, and indeed the price.
What We Said Then
In 1973, Autocar magazine reviewed the V8 Vantage and said: “Full appreciation comes only when the car is used for a substantial Continental journey; then its unobtrusive way of covering the ground at great speed can be enjoyed to the full. Around town, it tends to feel very bulky, and the high noise level in low-speed acceleration is a bit irksome. As a piece of engineering from a small firm with limited resources, it has to be admired and the change from fuel injection to carburettors seems to have worthwhile improvements.”
An Owner’s View
John Foreman owned a red 1974 V8 for several years. He said: “I loved driving the car. The rumble from the V8 was addictive. I used it occasionally for commuting from Kent up to my office in central London. In time, once I’d retired, its fuel economy and servicing costs meant it had to go. I’ve regretted selling it ever since.”
Buyer Beware
If you’re thinking of buying a V8 Vantage, there are a few things to look out for. The bodywork is the first thing to check. You need to take a good look below the sill covers, which can easily be removed, to check on the structural integrity of the car. Most V8s of this age will already have had some work done here, so check the previous history.
The V8 engine is a strong engine known, with regular maintenance, to make high mileages. The engine can do 150,000 miles between rebuilds. Most failures are from lack of use and neglect. Scrutinise the paperwork history for sound maintenance and any repairs. Listen for untoward noises and check oil pressure. A rebuild is very costly.
The ZF manuals are expensive to rebuild. Beware clutch slip and noisy layshaft bearings. Don’t expect the rare ZF five-speed gearbox to have a slick change: it never did, and the synchromesh could be beaten even when new. That said, beware of synchros that crunch even with care. The Chrysler Torqueflite automatics are not so bad and can rack up huge mileages with very little trouble. Some may have been updated by now anyway.
A hand-crafted wood and leather cabin can be recreated, but at a price. Earlier plastic mouldings, bespoke instruments, and switchgear can be more difficult to find. Any tears in the leather or other trim will be expensive to set right.
How Much to Spend
If you’re in the market for a V8 Vantage, you can expect to pay anywhere from £60,000 to over £350,000 depending on the condition and age of the car. Early and likeable V8s start at around £60,000, while concours-condition V8s of all ages, including early DBSs, can fetch over £120,000.
Conclusion
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a British Bulldog of a supercar that exudes sophistication and power. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but for those who want a piece of automotive history, it’s a must-have. When buying one, be sure to check the bodywork, engine, and transmission carefully, and be prepared to pay a premium for a well-maintained example.