2000 Aston Martin DB7

The Aston Martin company has enjoyed both 'highs' and 'lows' in regards to finances, sales, and motorsports. From 1947 to 1972 it was guided by David Brown and under his leadership acquired Lagonda, and during the 1950s a series of DB cars literally defined the Grand Touring car. The popularity of the marque was taken to new heights by a British spy named James Bond with his famous DB5 in the movie Goldfinger. The following decades saw several owners and the financial health of Aston Martin was tenuous, but the company survived and re-established itself among the leading manufacturers of world-class luxury sports cars.

During the 1990s, Aston Martin was able to design an all-new car with the infusion of cash by the Ford Motor Company, allowing them to develop and test to a much further extent than anything the old Aston Martin could muster. It is reported that over 20 complete prototypes of the DB7 were constructed, with the final styling penned by Ian Callum. The new model was designed as a volume seller initially powered by a 3.2-liter supercharged version of the twin-cam four-valves-per-cylinder AJ-6 unit that had replaced the venerable XK in Jaguar's saloon range. With the help of the water-cooled Eaton supercharger, the engine offered 335 horsepower and gave it a top speed of 160 mph, putting the DB7 on par with the Mercedes-Benz 500SL and Porsche 928. The body was notable for employing numerous composite-material panels in its construction.

The soft-top version, dubbed Volante, made its debut on the 1996 Auto Show circuit. In 1999, the introduction of a new V-12 engine that launched the Vantage into supercar status. The Cosworth designed 6.0 liter, quad-cam, 48-valve engine developed 400 lb-ft of torque and 420 horsepower to the wheels, and added just 122 pounds to the overall weight, using an aluminum alloy block and cylinder heads. This improvement in performance was done while meeting all current and projected emissions regulations. Zero-to-sixty mph was now accomplished in under five seconds and the top speed was above 180 mph (electronically limited to 185 mph). There was a choice of two alternative transmissions: a new six-speed manual or ZF five-speed automatic with manually selectable ratios.

This supercar performance came with modern convinces, classic Aston Martin appearance, luxury, and refined road-handling characteristics. During its production run from 1994 through 2004, the DB7 in all its forms became the highest production Aston Martin to-date, with over 7,000 examples produced at the plant in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.

The V12 engine required more airflow and cooling than its 6-cylinder predecessor, demanding a larger intake and other changes to the frontal airflow. Other changes included braking, suspension, and chassis upgrades to cope with the increased performance, and Ian Callum enlarged the grille, added fog lamps, and restyled the valances to give the car a more purposeful look. Unique 15-inch diameter wheels were built specifically for the Vantage, along with cross-drilled and ventilated Brembo brakes equipped with ABS. The existing six-cylinder DB7 bodyshell was re-engineered to accommodate the new V12 engine/transmission package, resulting in a stiffer structure exceeding all contemporary crash test requirements. The interior featured traditional Connolly hide upholstery and could be trimmed and equipped to individual customer requirements. The usual long-list of luxury fittings came standard, while clients could select from an extensive list of options and bespoke touches.

To celebrate the factory's famous victory at Le Mans 24-Hour Race in 1959 when Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby took the chequered flag first in 'DBR1/2', Aston Martin announced in March of 1999 that 40 special versions of the Vantage - the Vantage Le Mans - would be built. At the time was the fastest Aston Martin ever, made several styling changes. Recalling the DBR1 racer's ducted bonnet, it received front wing side vents, 'nostril' front grille, improved high-downforce air dam, five-spoke magnesium alloy wheels, and revised rear spoiler incorporating the high-intensity and reversing lights. The chassis received extensive upgrading including the 'Driving Dynamics' package, required to cope with the massive increase in performance that the Vantage gained over its Virage progenitor.

The Vantage used a blown version of the proven 5,340cc V8 with twin mechanically driven Eaton superchargers being preferred to turbo-chargers on the grounds of superior throttle response. The engine offered 550 bhp and 550 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. For buyers seeking even more power, there was the Works Service-developed 'V600' enhancement that brought with it an additional 50 horsepower together with upgrades to the wheels, suspension, and brakes. Announced at the British Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham in 1998, the V600 package added £43,000 to the price of the standard Vantage. Zero-to-sixty mph took 3.9 seconds with its top speed in excess of 320 km/h (200 mph).

The Le Mans interior received special treatment with the Wilton carpeting featuring embossed 'Aston Martin' emblems. There was an aluminum gear lever knob, 'button' starter, brushed metal paneling instead of the traditional wood veneers, oversize tachometer, and perforated, competition-style pedals.

Just forty examples of the limited edition Vantage LeMans were delivered new with the factory's V600 package installed.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2020