Aston Martin by Richard Loveys

Author:Richard Loveys
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Aston Martin
ISBN: 9781784420734
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

A Vantage Volante showing the extended sills and wheel arches. The wheels were not usually painted the same colour as the body.

Pace Petroleum was taken over in 1983 and its shareholding in Aston Martin was sold to Automotive Investments Inc., which was owned by the Papanicolaou and Livanos families. Victor Gauntlett remained as Chairman. Soon afterwards Automotive Investments Inc. took control of AML and strengthened its engineering abilities.

In April 1984 the 10,000th Aston Martin, a red V8, was revealed at Newport Pagnell. Later in the year the Livanos family took a 75 per cent interest in the company, with Victor Gauntlett having the remainder.

Two years later a Vantage version of the V8 Volante was announced. New features included extended wheel arches, sills and rear spoiler as well as the more powerful engine. Prince Charles had a special version with understated body changes; about another twenty-five were built and are known as the Prince of Wales (P of W) specification Vantage Volantes.

At the beginning of 1986 the V8 engines were fitted with electronic fuel injection to increase power and efficiency. The result was a much lower bonnet bulge without an air intake. Later in the year the V8 Vantage Zagato went on sale; this was a two-door, two-seater, with bodywork designed and constructed by Zagato. By 1988 a total of fifty-two had been made. The maximum speed was about 186 mph. Demand for an open version resulted in thirty-seven Volantes being built on the V8 mechanical components in 1987 and 1988; a few were fitted with the more powerful Vantage engine.

Production of the Towns-designed V8 range finished in 1989. Work had begun on a replacement late in 1985, and the new Virage was launched while AML was under Ford ownership.

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