1982 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Fastback Coupe

The mid-1970s were riddled with ill-fated projects for Aston Martin, bringing them to the brink of extinction. The William Towns Lagonda sedan and the mid-engined Bulldog project were two examples that did not help the company's fortunes, but thankfully investors George Minden, Peter Sprague, Alan Curtis, and Tony Flather were able to infuse much needed financial backing into the company. With their help, the Aston Martin V-8 Series III salons flourished and the true Vantage was announced on February 18th of 1977.

The new V8 Vantage had revised camshafts, an airbox, larger inlet valves and carburetors, and new inlet manifolds. The result of these improvements was a 40 percent increase in power, bringing the total to 425 brake horsepower. The engine was mated to a ZF five-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. The car was given wider wheel arches, a rear tail spoiler, a deep front air dam below the front bumper, Cibie driving lights, and blanked-off radiator and bonnet air scoops.

The Series II Vantage was launched in October of 1978, at the same time as the V8 Series IV, also known as the 'Oscar India' Saloon. The name 'Oscar India' meant 'October Introduction'. They were given similar changes to the body styling, and a leather headliner. The first 20 cars had black dashboard, with the remaining cars fitted with burr walnut dashs.

Between 1978 and 1985, Aston Martin produced one hundred seventy-two Series IV V8 Vantage models. It is believed that three were ordered to Canadian specifications, and this particular car is one of those examples. The car has 425 brake horsepower at its disposal, from the 5340cc dual overhead cam, alloy V8 engine fitted with four Weber downdraft carburetors. The original owner was Ranger Oil founder Jack Pierce, whose Calgary, Alberta, company was the nation's largest independent firm at the time. This was Pierce's personal car until his death in 1991, and it has remained with the family since that time.

The car was brought to Los Angeles in 1996 and maintained by Exotic Performance. It was repainted and partially restored by them in 2012.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015