The Aston Martin V8 Zagato was first shown as a design at Geneva in 1985. All 50 copies were bought on the basis of drawings and a scale model. Three prototypes appeared a year later at Geneva in 1986.
The Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volante made its debut at the 1987 Geneva Auto Show and was offered at an even more limited run of only 25, although a total of 37 were eventually made due to high demand. Styling changes from the coupe include flip-up front headlight covers and the removal of the hood bulge, which was not required with the less powerful engine. Not all the Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volantes had the flip-up light covers however.
Technical Specifications
* Engine: dohc V8, 5341 cc, 432 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 395 lbs-ft @ 5100 rpm
* Transmission: 5-speed manual
* Suspension
o Front: independent wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar
o Rear: de Dion axle, Watt linkage, trailing links, coil springs, adjustable telescopic dampers
* Brakes: Servo assisted vented front/rear discs
* Length: 14'5" (4390 mm)
* Width: 6'1" (1860 mm)
* Height: 4'3" (1295 mm)
* Wheelbase: 8'7"
* Weight: 1650 kg (Coupe) 1685 kg (Volante)
* Top Speed: 186 mph
* 0-60 mph: 4.8 sec.
* Price New: £95,000 (Coupe) £125,000 (Volante)
* Production: 52 (Coupe) 37 (Volante)
* Production Dates
o Aston Martin V8 Zagato: 1986 - 1988
o Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volante: 1987 - 1988
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante (1986)
The original Aston Martin V8 Vantage was hailed at the time of its 1977 introduction as "Britain's Supercar" for its 170 mph (274 km/h) top speed. Its engine was shared with the Aston Martin Lagonda, but the Vantage used high-performance camshafts and bigger carburettors for increased output.
The Vantage name had previously been used on a number of high-performance versions of Aston Martin cars, but this was a separate model. Although based on the Aston Martin V8, numerous detail changes added up to a unique driving experience. One of the most noticeable features was the closed-off hood bulge rather than the open scoop found on the normal V8. The grille area was also closed off for Series I cars.
The Series II cars, introduced in 1978, featured an integrated spoiler and smoother lines in the body. One obvious exterior clue is the square turn signal lights on the front fenders between the wheel opening and the headlights. Inside, wood replaced some of the vinyl padding giving a more luxurious appearance. This line was produced, with some changes, through 1986.
The 1986 through 1989 Series III V8 Vantage was more of a mechanical update. 16 inch (406 mm) wheels were now fitted, as was the more powerful V8 from the limited-edition Aston Martin V8 Zagato. This car was changed somewhat for the United States market - it lacked the powerful Vantage engine but retained the Vantage name, and the look was changed with a flattened hood.
A Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante convertible version was also produced.
The Vantage name had previously been used on a number of high-performance versions of Aston Martin cars, but this was a separate model. Although based on the Aston Martin V8, numerous detail changes added up to a unique driving experience. One of the most noticeable features was the closed-off hood bulge rather than the open scoop found on the normal V8. The grille area was also closed off for Series I cars.
The Series II cars, introduced in 1978, featured an integrated spoiler and smoother lines in the body. One obvious exterior clue is the square turn signal lights on the front fenders between the wheel opening and the headlights. Inside, wood replaced some of the vinyl padding giving a more luxurious appearance. This line was produced, with some changes, through 1986.
The 1986 through 1989 Series III V8 Vantage was more of a mechanical update. 16 inch (406 mm) wheels were now fitted, as was the more powerful V8 from the limited-edition Aston Martin V8 Zagato. This car was changed somewhat for the United States market - it lacked the powerful Vantage engine but retained the Vantage name, and the look was changed with a flattened hood.
A Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante convertible version was also produced.
Aston Martin Bulldog Concept Car (1980)
Styled by William Towns, the Aston Martin Bulldog was ultimately built as a one-off testbed. Originally, it had been intended to be a limited run of about 25. The code name for the project was DP K9, named after a Doctor Who character. It was built in the UK, but is a left-hand-drive car (UK cars are right-hand-drive). It has an incredibly low height at 43 inches (1.1 meters) high, and featured a sharp, distinctive gull-wing door design. The interior uses digital instrumentation and the rear view is delivered via a television monitor mounted on the center console (a later addition). The Aston Martin Bulldog was powered by a 5.3L twin-turbo V8 delivering 700 bhp (522 kW).
The first test drive of the Aston Martin Bulldog came in late 1979 and was a great success. The Aston Martin Bulldog achieved a verified top speed of 191 mph (307 km/h), but the theoretical top speed is estimated at 237 mph (381 km/h). The car was officially launched on March 27, 1980 at the Bell Hotel at Aston Clinton. After the development program was over, Aston Martin sold the only Bulldog to the highest bidder. The total design and construction cost of the Aston Martin Bulldog was estimated to be about £130,000.
The Aston Martin Bulldog spent some time in the United States, but later surfaced back in Britain, for sale and with a new green paint job (the original exterior colours were silver and light grey). The interior has also been changed from the original dark brown and black to light tan.
The first test drive of the Aston Martin Bulldog came in late 1979 and was a great success. The Aston Martin Bulldog achieved a verified top speed of 191 mph (307 km/h), but the theoretical top speed is estimated at 237 mph (381 km/h). The car was officially launched on March 27, 1980 at the Bell Hotel at Aston Clinton. After the development program was over, Aston Martin sold the only Bulldog to the highest bidder. The total design and construction cost of the Aston Martin Bulldog was estimated to be about £130,000.
The Aston Martin Bulldog spent some time in the United States, but later surfaced back in Britain, for sale and with a new green paint job (the original exterior colours were silver and light grey). The interior has also been changed from the original dark brown and black to light tan.
Aston Martin V8 Volante (1978)
By 1978, few new open cars were being built anywhere in the world. But persistent demand was demonstrated by the escalation of the price of second-hand Aston Martin drop-head coupes and the American market was wide open, as by then the American industry had stopped manufacturing convertibles.
The Aston Martin V8 Volante announced on 21st June 1978, was therefore assured a warm welcome. Its specification follows the contemporary Aston Martin V8 Saloon saloon, but was ahead in having polished burr walnut trim and a re-designed bonnet. The hood was power operated as before and was fully lined for noise insulation.
Technical Specifications
* Engine: dohc V-8
* Transmission: 4-speed manual
* Suspension
o Front: trailing arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar
o Rear: live axle, trailing links, Panhard rod, coil springs
* Brakes: front/rear drums
* Height: 4'6" (137cm)
* Weight: 1791kg (3,950lb)
* Top Speed: 150 mph
* 0-60 mph: 8.9
* Price New: £33,864
* Production Dates: June 1978 - 1989
The Aston Martin V8 Volante announced on 21st June 1978, was therefore assured a warm welcome. Its specification follows the contemporary Aston Martin V8 Saloon saloon, but was ahead in having polished burr walnut trim and a re-designed bonnet. The hood was power operated as before and was fully lined for noise insulation.
Technical Specifications
* Engine: dohc V-8
* Transmission: 4-speed manual
* Suspension
o Front: trailing arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar
o Rear: live axle, trailing links, Panhard rod, coil springs
* Brakes: front/rear drums
* Height: 4'6" (137cm)
* Weight: 1791kg (3,950lb)
* Top Speed: 150 mph
* 0-60 mph: 8.9
* Price New: £33,864
* Production Dates: June 1978 - 1989
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977)
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage was annouced on 18th February , 1977. The V8 engine having proved to be an exceptionally reliablle and robust unit, it was clear that there was scope for a significant increase in the power that it could deliver. Revised camshafts, air-box, larger inlet valves and carburettors, new inlet manifolds and different plugs, claimed to provide an increase in power of 40% and 10% more torque. The same ZF manual gearbox as in the Aston Martin V8 Saloon was standard equipment. This was enough to give a top speed of about 170 mph and accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.3 secs.
The power increase meant that aerodynamic improvements had to be made for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. This included a spoiler on the tail, a deep spoiler under the nose and blanked off rediator and bonnet air scoop.
Technical Specifications
* Engine: dohc V8, 5340 cc, 380 bhp @ 6000 rpm
* Transmission: ZF 5-speed manual
* Suspension:
o Front: Wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
o Rear: de Dion axle, Watt linkage, coil springs
* Brakes: Girling discs all round, servo assisted
* Top Speed: 170 mph
* 0-60 mph: 5.3 sec.
* Price New: £20,000 (1977) £50,000 (1984) £75,000 (1987)
* Production Dates: March 1977 - 1989
The power increase meant that aerodynamic improvements had to be made for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. This included a spoiler on the tail, a deep spoiler under the nose and blanked off rediator and bonnet air scoop.
Technical Specifications
* Engine: dohc V8, 5340 cc, 380 bhp @ 6000 rpm
* Transmission: ZF 5-speed manual
* Suspension:
o Front: Wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
o Rear: de Dion axle, Watt linkage, coil springs
* Brakes: Girling discs all round, servo assisted
* Top Speed: 170 mph
* 0-60 mph: 5.3 sec.
* Price New: £20,000 (1977) £50,000 (1984) £75,000 (1987)
* Production Dates: March 1977 - 1989
Aston Martin Lagonda (1976)
The William Towns Aston Martin Lagonda shocked the world with its bold design and electronic instrumentation. A truly stunning design.
It was in the October of 1976 that Aston Martin revealed a new shape Aston Martin Lagonda which had solid state digital instrumentation that justified it as being a new product. With initial production levels at one a week it wasn't until 1979 that the first cars was delivered. It wasn't until 1982 that the Aston Martin Lagonda was cleared for sale in the USA.
In 1984, a Long Wheelbase Tickford Limousine version was announced that had a TV in the front as well as the back.
The Aston Martin Lagonda was updated again in 1987 when William Towns rounded off the edges of the car giving it a fresh new look. New enhancements included a re-designed nose where six smaller lights replace the pop-up headlamps and new 16" alloy wheels. A total of 645 chassis were built before the end of production in 1989, each car required about 2,200 man-hours and only about 25 were built per year for the U.S. market.
Technical Specifications
* Engine: dohc V-8, 280 bhp @ 5000 rpm, torque 360 lbs-ft @ 3000 rpm
* Transmission: 3-speed automatic
* Suspension
o Front: unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
o Rear: de Dion axle, coil springs; self-leveling
* Brakes: Servo assisted front/rear ventilated discs
* Wheelbase: 9'6" (2916 mm)
* Length: 17'4" (5283 mm)
* Width: 5'12" (1816 mm)
* Weight: 2064 kg (3800 mm)
* Heigth: 4'4" (1302 mm)
* Top Speed: 148 mph
* 0-60 mph: 7.9 sec.
* Price New: £ 24,570 (May 1977), £ 37,500 (April 1979), £ 79,500 (January 1986)
* Production: 645
* Production Dates: 1974 - 1989
It was in the October of 1976 that Aston Martin revealed a new shape Aston Martin Lagonda which had solid state digital instrumentation that justified it as being a new product. With initial production levels at one a week it wasn't until 1979 that the first cars was delivered. It wasn't until 1982 that the Aston Martin Lagonda was cleared for sale in the USA.
In 1984, a Long Wheelbase Tickford Limousine version was announced that had a TV in the front as well as the back.
The Aston Martin Lagonda was updated again in 1987 when William Towns rounded off the edges of the car giving it a fresh new look. New enhancements included a re-designed nose where six smaller lights replace the pop-up headlamps and new 16" alloy wheels. A total of 645 chassis were built before the end of production in 1989, each car required about 2,200 man-hours and only about 25 were built per year for the U.S. market.
Technical Specifications
* Engine: dohc V-8, 280 bhp @ 5000 rpm, torque 360 lbs-ft @ 3000 rpm
* Transmission: 3-speed automatic
* Suspension
o Front: unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
o Rear: de Dion axle, coil springs; self-leveling
* Brakes: Servo assisted front/rear ventilated discs
* Wheelbase: 9'6" (2916 mm)
* Length: 17'4" (5283 mm)
* Width: 5'12" (1816 mm)
* Weight: 2064 kg (3800 mm)
* Heigth: 4'4" (1302 mm)
* Top Speed: 148 mph
* 0-60 mph: 7.9 sec.
* Price New: £ 24,570 (May 1977), £ 37,500 (April 1979), £ 79,500 (January 1986)
* Production: 645
* Production Dates: 1974 - 1989
Aston Martin V8 (1973)
The Aston Martin V8 is a two-door saloon-type automobile manufactured in the United Kingdom from 1969 to 1990.
Aston Martin's customers had been clamouring for an eight-cylinder car for years, so Aston Martin designed a larger 2-door saloon for V8 applications. The engine was not ready, however, so in 1967 the company released the Aston Martin DBS with the straight-6 Vantage engine from the Aston Martin DB6. Two years later, Tadek Marek's V8 was ready, and Aston released the DBS V8. With the demise of the straight-6 Vantage in 1973, the DBS V8, now called simply the Aston Martin V8, became the company's mainstream car for two decades. It was retired in favour of the Aston Martin Virage in 1990.
Aston Martin DBS V8
From 1969 through 1972, Aston's top car was the DBS V8. Though the body and name was shared with the six-cylinder Aston Martin DBS, the V8 sold for much more. The body was a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Aston Martin look, with a squared-off grille and four headlights. Distinguishing features of the V8 model are the larger front air dam and lack of wire wheels, though some six-cylinder DBS cars also used the V8's alloy wheels. The tail lights were taken from the Hillman Hunter.
Marek's V8 engine displaced 5.3 L (5340 cc/325 in³) and used Bosch fuel injection. Output was not officially released, but estimates center around 315 hp (235 kW). The DBS V8 could hit 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.9 seconds and had a top speed of nearly 160 mph (257 km/h).
Aston Martin V8
A DBS V8 was to be used by Roger Moore in the television show, The Persuaders. However, no V8 car was ready, so a six-cylinder DBS was modified to look like a V8 for use in the show.
Aston Martin V8
In April, 1972, the DBS V8 became just the Aston Martin V8 as the six-cylinder DBS was dropped, leaving just this car and the Vantage in production. Although David Brown had left the company, he had overseen development of this model.
Series 2
The Aston Martin V8 became known as the Series 2. Visual differences included twin quartz headlights and a mesh grille. Series 2 cars, produced from 1972 through July 1973, used a similar engine to the DBS V8. Just 288 Series 2 cars were built.
Series 3
The car switched back to carburettors for Series 3 in 1973. These cars are distinguished by a taller hood scoop to accommodate four twin-choke Weber carbs. The car produced 310 hp (231 kW) and could reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.1 seconds with an automatic transmission or 5.7 with a manual. Performance suffered with emmissions regulations, falling to 288 hp (215 kW) in 1976. The next year, a more powerful "Stage 1" engine with new camshafts and exhaust brought it back up to 304 hp (227 kW).
Production of Series 3 cars lasted from 1973 through October 1978, but was halted for all of 1975. 967 examples were produced in this time.
Series 4 ("Oscar India")
The "Oscar India" specification was introduced in October of 1978 at the Birmingham International Motor Show. Visually, the former scoop on the bonnet gave way to a closed "power bulge", while a spoiler was integrated into the tail. Most Oscar India cars were equipped with a Chrysler "Torqueflite" 3-speed automatic transmission, with wood trim fitted for the first time since the DB2/4 of the 1950s. Just 291 Oscar India models were built from 1978 through 1985.
Series 5
The fuel injected Series 5 cars were introduced in 1986 at the New York Motor Show. The compact Weber/Marelli system no longer needed the space of the previous carburettors, so the bonnet bulge was virtually eliminiated.
Only 61 Series 5 cars were built before production ceased in 1989.
James Bond
James Bond's car ("B549 WUU") in the 1987 film, The Living Daylights is somewhat confusing. At the beginning of the film, the car is a Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante (convertible), complete with Vantage badges. The actual car used in these scenes was a preproduction Vantage Volante owned by Aston Martin Lagonda chairman, Victor Gauntlett. Later, the car is supposedly fitted with a hardtop ("winterised") at Q Branch. However, these scenes actually feature a pair of non-Vantage Aston Martin V8 saloons retrofitted with the same number plate and Vantage badges as the car in the beginning, among other "optional extras" like spiked tyres, skis, lasers, and missiles. Clearly, the car was intended to be seen as a Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante, however.
Aston Martin's customers had been clamouring for an eight-cylinder car for years, so Aston Martin designed a larger 2-door saloon for V8 applications. The engine was not ready, however, so in 1967 the company released the Aston Martin DBS with the straight-6 Vantage engine from the Aston Martin DB6. Two years later, Tadek Marek's V8 was ready, and Aston released the DBS V8. With the demise of the straight-6 Vantage in 1973, the DBS V8, now called simply the Aston Martin V8, became the company's mainstream car for two decades. It was retired in favour of the Aston Martin Virage in 1990.
Aston Martin DBS V8
From 1969 through 1972, Aston's top car was the DBS V8. Though the body and name was shared with the six-cylinder Aston Martin DBS, the V8 sold for much more. The body was a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Aston Martin look, with a squared-off grille and four headlights. Distinguishing features of the V8 model are the larger front air dam and lack of wire wheels, though some six-cylinder DBS cars also used the V8's alloy wheels. The tail lights were taken from the Hillman Hunter.
Marek's V8 engine displaced 5.3 L (5340 cc/325 in³) and used Bosch fuel injection. Output was not officially released, but estimates center around 315 hp (235 kW). The DBS V8 could hit 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.9 seconds and had a top speed of nearly 160 mph (257 km/h).
Aston Martin V8
A DBS V8 was to be used by Roger Moore in the television show, The Persuaders. However, no V8 car was ready, so a six-cylinder DBS was modified to look like a V8 for use in the show.
Aston Martin V8
In April, 1972, the DBS V8 became just the Aston Martin V8 as the six-cylinder DBS was dropped, leaving just this car and the Vantage in production. Although David Brown had left the company, he had overseen development of this model.
Series 2
The Aston Martin V8 became known as the Series 2. Visual differences included twin quartz headlights and a mesh grille. Series 2 cars, produced from 1972 through July 1973, used a similar engine to the DBS V8. Just 288 Series 2 cars were built.
Series 3
The car switched back to carburettors for Series 3 in 1973. These cars are distinguished by a taller hood scoop to accommodate four twin-choke Weber carbs. The car produced 310 hp (231 kW) and could reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.1 seconds with an automatic transmission or 5.7 with a manual. Performance suffered with emmissions regulations, falling to 288 hp (215 kW) in 1976. The next year, a more powerful "Stage 1" engine with new camshafts and exhaust brought it back up to 304 hp (227 kW).
Production of Series 3 cars lasted from 1973 through October 1978, but was halted for all of 1975. 967 examples were produced in this time.
Series 4 ("Oscar India")
The "Oscar India" specification was introduced in October of 1978 at the Birmingham International Motor Show. Visually, the former scoop on the bonnet gave way to a closed "power bulge", while a spoiler was integrated into the tail. Most Oscar India cars were equipped with a Chrysler "Torqueflite" 3-speed automatic transmission, with wood trim fitted for the first time since the DB2/4 of the 1950s. Just 291 Oscar India models were built from 1978 through 1985.
Series 5
The fuel injected Series 5 cars were introduced in 1986 at the New York Motor Show. The compact Weber/Marelli system no longer needed the space of the previous carburettors, so the bonnet bulge was virtually eliminiated.
Only 61 Series 5 cars were built before production ceased in 1989.
James Bond
James Bond's car ("B549 WUU") in the 1987 film, The Living Daylights is somewhat confusing. At the beginning of the film, the car is a Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante (convertible), complete with Vantage badges. The actual car used in these scenes was a preproduction Vantage Volante owned by Aston Martin Lagonda chairman, Victor Gauntlett. Later, the car is supposedly fitted with a hardtop ("winterised") at Q Branch. However, these scenes actually feature a pair of non-Vantage Aston Martin V8 saloons retrofitted with the same number plate and Vantage badges as the car in the beginning, among other "optional extras" like spiked tyres, skis, lasers, and missiles. Clearly, the car was intended to be seen as a Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante, however.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
