Sold for $137,500 at 2010 Gooding and Company : The Amelia Island Auction.
This V-8 Vantage was completed in August of 1977, and is one of the last to wear the third series AMV8 body, and one of the only 38 first series AMV8 Vantages. Eight more of these cars were exported to Canada. This striking AMV8 Vantage is not only one of these 8 cars, but it is believed to be the personal car of Canadian George Minden, one of the principal owners of the company between 1975 and 1981.

In 1990, the engine was returned to the European specification for Series 3 Vantages known as the X-Pack. It was given larger valves, re-ground camshafts, a redesigned intake and a 48mm Weber carburetor.

In 1998, it was purchased by Patrice Runner. An additional $25,000 was spent to have it professionally cared for, including routine maintenance and detailing. In July of 2008, it was sold to Autosport Designs, who allocated approximately 17,000 over the following year to address a range of minor needs including paint touch-ups, new wheel hubs and bearings, re-finished original stock 16-Series 3 wheels and a complete rebuild of the high-compression engine.

In January of 2010, Mr. Carr traded this Vantage back to Autosport Designs who has since rebuilt the engine's Weber carburetors. It currently shows just over 62,300 miles.

In 2010, this Aston Martin was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was expected to sell for $150,000 - $210,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $330,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2010