1996 Aston Martin V600 Vantage

The vendor, who had previously owned a V550 and is a true connoisseur of performance and classic cars, bought the car in 2020.

The car had been converted to V600 by Aston Martin Works at Newport Pagnell in 2015 at a cost of £66,000.

The then owner was a pilot and had opted for an array of gauges that followed the layout logic you might find on a flight deck.

The vendor liked the look of the gauges that came with the Le Mans spec variant of the V600, a package of cosmetic changes introduced to commemorate Aston Martin’s 1959 DBR1 victory in the 24hr race. 

The introduction of the new gauges can be seen in the odometer reset of 2020, when the mileage was around 44,000.

Given that the mileage is showing just 624 miles today, it’s evident that the car has been used very lightly since 2020.

We have driven this car and can attest to the fact that there’s really nothing else quite like it.

Yes, it has the brute strength and raw grunt of a Chinook helicopter.

But it is also fabulously, indulgently, luxurious and opulent. 

It’s Desperate Dan in a Savile Row suit and a pair of John Lobb shoes.

The car starts on the button and the low rumbles and growls from the engine bay quickly alert you to the fact that something very big and powerful is lurking under the bonnet.

It presses on with all the relentless urge of the Flying Scotsman, with the characterfully agricultural gearbox more than up to the task of wrestling all that power down to the ground.

It goes, and feels, very fast, but this is a big, heavy beast and we don’t think either you or it would enjoy a visit to the Nordschleife for some timed laps.

The car is in very good condition indeed, and not least because the vendor and his predecessors have taken some brutal hits to the wallet in the service of keeping in first-class, no-expense-spared condition, all of which work was carried out either by Aston Martin Works or the Stratton Motor Company.

By way of example, when the vendor bought the car he could see that it was wearing the wheels from the V550. He instructed Stratton to find and fit the correct V600 Dymag wheels, which they duly did….at a cost of over £14,000.

Ouch. 

The vendor is only selling now because he’s just not using the car as much as he knows it deserves – and because he wants to make room in his garage for a GT3 race car.

Fair enough.

Well, just look at it.

To say it has a bold, muscular presence is something of an understatement.

If this car was any more macho it would have to live up a tree.

The panel gaps and shut-lines are what you get on a car that’s been hand-built in some sheds in Newport Pagnell by chaps called Geoff and Bob, probably while smoking a briar pipe.

That’s to say, the gaps and shut-lines are consistent and even but probably not quite the same as they are on any of the other 83 V600s.

That’s what you get with the kind of artisanal skills and bespokery that go into a car such as this.

One manifestation of this is the fact that the vendor chooses not to use the nearside fuel filler flap because, once it’s been opened, it’s reluctant to return to being fully flush with the bodywork unless gently coaxed.

So, the sensible solution is just to use the filler flap on the other side.

There are a few small stone chips on the nose of the car, the front bumper and the bonnet; a couple of small chips to the boot lid and on the driver’s-side corner of the rear bumper; a chip low down on the o/s/f wing; and an entirely standard number and distribution of light, swirly scratches here and there but by no means everywhere.

We also noticed a chip to the nearside wing mirror, the bracket for which is a trifle loose. 

The blue paintwork has retained plenty of shine and lustre and the colour really pops and sings in the sunshine.

At over £3,500 each, you’ll be relieved to learn that the wheels are in first-class condition and appear to have successfully avoided any introductions to kerbs or other roadside obstacles.

The vendor has had the callipers refreshed and repainted, and they look accordingly fine. 

The wheels are clad in matching Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico rubber.

All lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings appear to be in fine condition.

As you have every right to expect, the interior has more leather and wood than a St. James’ gentlemen’s club, and everything inside is a testament to the arcane crafts of the saddler and French polisher.

The grey leather seats, front and back, have little more than a gentle patina and a few light creases to show for their years of service.

They are comfortable, supportive and, as far as we and the vendor are aware, fully functional. 

The various wood veneer inserts on the dashboard, centre console and door cappings have stoically resisted any temptation to fade crack or split. 

The Nardi steering wheel, an option installed by the vendor, is in fine condition, as is the gear lever, save for a little light wear to the leather cover on the gear-knob.

The headlining and door cards are in irreproachable condition, although the light blue carpets are showing some signs of wear at the top of the sills and a few other places. 

We think the vendor has chosen very wisely in opting to fit the Le Mans-style gauges but not that iteration’s brushed aluminium dashboard surround.

The combination of the bright, stylish Le Mans gauges and the glossy veneer dashboard and binnacle surrounds is, to our eyes, an optimal one.

All of the controls on and around the dashboard, we and the vendor believe, are in good health and do what they’re supposed to do without hesitation, deviation or repetition.

The very deep boot is in decent condition and comes with a tray of tools cunningly concealed within a recess at the top of the space. 

My word, that’s a lot of engine.

Everything we can see of it appears to be present, correct, clean, dry and orderly.

The vendor and previous owners have ensured that all the badging and name plates are correct.

The undersides of the car are sound, solid and entirely devoid of anything likely to make you frown, tut or otherwise question the car’s integrity or character. 

The car comes with a thick wad of bills, invoices and receipts attesting to its diligent, timely and uncompromising upkeep and maintenance over the years.

It had had a great deal of money, care and attention lavished upon it, and mostly by Aston Martin themselves. All and any other work (all of which is documented, dated and priced) was carried out by Stratton. 

The car comes with a recent, clear HPI report and an MoT certificate – with no advisories whatsoever – that’s valid until 22nd April 2027.

They don’t make them like this any more.

And by ‘they’, we mean anybody.

This is probably the last of the truly bespoke, hand-built gentleman’s expresses for which Aston Martin, Bristol and Bentley were once noted.

And neither Bristol nor Bentley ever came close at the time to producing anything as thunderously powerful as this beautiful British brute.

It is the last V600 ever built and comes with some bespoke tweaks, such as the Le Mans gauges, which we think enhance its appeal even further.

It has had painful quantities of cash liberally showered upon it and it’s in excellent dynamic, mechanical and aesthetic condition. 

It even comes with a very cool number plate.

If you’re waiting for a better low-mileage example to come along any time soon, don’t hold your breath.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £180,000 - £210,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.