2004 Aston Martin Vanquish

"Excellent condition throughout" Aston Martin Works Inspection July 2018

21,000 km from new, 13,000 mile equivalent

Supplied new to Japan with full service history

Re-patriated in 2015 and maintained by respected specialist Christian Lewis

An entirely new Aston Martin for the 21st Century, the Vanquish debuted at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2001, with deliveries commencing a few months later. The Vanquish took over from the Vantage V8, the Newport Pagnell factory undergoing an extensive multi-million-pound refurbishment to accommodate it, gaining a new assembly line, paint shop, rolling road and water test facility. Styled by Ian Callum, the man responsible for the DB7, the Vanquish was developed with assistance from Aston Martin's parent company Ford using constructional techniques more advanced than those of any then-current road car. The monocoque tub was made of heat-cured bonded aluminium, braced by a central tunnel of carbon fibre to create a lightweight structure of exceptional rigidity, thus enabling the chassis engineers to develop suspension combining excellent handling and roadolding with unrivalled ride quality. As well as its superior strength/weight ratio compared to aluminium, the carbon fibre backbone also provided better insulation from transmission and exhaust heat in the cabin. The all-independent suspension followed the accepted supercar norm and comprised double aluminium wishbones, coil springs, mono-tube damper and anti-roll bar front and rear. Four-wheel ventilated steel disc brakes gripped by four-piston callipers provided all the stopping power one needs, while ABS and traction control afforded maximum security in poor road conditions or 'on the limit'. Aston Martin's first power unit of its type, the 6.0-litre, 48-valve, V12 engine developed 460bhp at 6,800rpm, with 400lb/ft of torque available at 5,500 revs. In its 'Stage 2' Vanquish specification it benefited from an 18kgs weight reduction, most of which was shed from the rotating masses to improve throttle response. A spin-off from Formula 1 technology, the state-of-the-art electronic engine management system provided 'drive by wire' throttle control and was linked to the six-speed manual gearbox's electro-hydraulic change mechanism, a 'first' for a production car. The gearchange was controlled by F1-style paddles and could be operated in either of two modes - fully manual and computer-controlled automatic - with a 'sport' setting available on both.

This, right-hand drive, Vanquish finished in Stronsay Silver with a Charcoal and light Grey interior, has covered only 21,600 km (13,000 miles) and was first delivered new to Japan in 2004. A letter in the accompanying history file from Aston Martin Works in July 2018 states that this example is in “Excellent condition throughout with an excellent service history”. The letter goes onto state that “the chassis and subframe are in superb condition with no corrosion, discs and brakes in good order, tyres are correct type and the gearbox along with the electrics performed as they should”.

Since its return to the UK, respected marque specialists, "Christian Lewis" have looked after this special car and there are invoices in the history file containing the details, including the results of a '111-Point' check. Supplied with an MoT valid until June 2019, along with its service book and manuals, this special vehicle is ready to go and is competitively guided, especially when you look at the contemporary Ferrari market of the same era.