1985 Aston Martin V8 Volante

1985 Aston Martin V8 Volante
VIN. SCFCV81C5FTL15410
Engine no. V/580/5410/LFA

5,340cc All-Alloy DOHC V8 Engine
4 Dual-Throat Weber Carburetors
300bhp at 6,000rpm
3-Speed Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*21,582 original miles
*Delivered new to Birmingham, Alabama
*Striking color scheme
*A British muscle car

THE ASTON MARTIN V8 VOLANTE

Aston Martin had initially intended the DBS to house its new V8 engine, but production difficulties meant that the car first appeared with the DB6's 4.0-liter six. Bigger and more luxuriously appointed than the DB6, the heavyweight DBS disappointed some by virtue of its slightly reduced performance, but there were no complaints when the V8 finally arrived in 1969. Staggering performance of the new V8 justified the claim that it was the fastest production car in the world. The most successful Aston Martin ever, the V8 survived the changes of ownership and financial upheavals of the 1970s, enjoying a record-breaking production run lasting from 1969 to 1989, with 2,919 cars sold. Throughout the long production run every car leaving the factory was completely hand built which included hand formed aluminum body panels, assembly of the engine, leather and walnut interior trim and numerous other appointments.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Aston Martin V8 Volante chassis no. 15410 was completed at the famed Newport Pagnell factory in June of 1985, as a 1986 model-year car. Among the last factory carbureted examples, according to factory records, the Volante was configured for the US market as a left-hand drive car and finished in Imperial Burgundy over a Natural leather interior Dark Red piping. Sold through Volante Motorcars in Atlanta, Georgia, the first owner was a leasing company in Birmingham, Alabama that took delivery on July 22, 1985.

The Aston appears to have stayed in Birmingham for the first score of years, covering under 15,000 miles in that time. In 2004, the Volante was sold to New York enthusiast Brent Milner. Covering about 6,000 miles in his six years of ownership, the current owner acquired the car in November 2010. Showing 21,582 miles on the odometer, a figure believed to be from new and corroborated by the clean CARFAX report, the Volante appears to be in largely original condition. On static display for the last 13 years, only eight miles have been added to the odometer since purchase so it is recommended that that some mechanical recommissioning is executed before active motoring.

The V8 is increasingly being appreciated by collectors as an important cornerstone of the Aston Martin story in America. After servicing, this V8 would make a lovely cruiser once again.