1994 Aston Martin Vantage '550'

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to import duty and VAT if the car is to remain in the UK. As this car is less than 30 years old there will be duty of £50 +VAT plus import VAT of 20% added to on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £25,000, then £60 duty and £5,000 VAT is added, making the total amount payable of £30,060. If buying the car in a company name the duty rate for this car will be 10% (+VAT).

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £250 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties and taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

This manual LHD Aston Martin Vantage 550 was first registered in the UK in 1995.

According to a receipt from Stratstone Mayfair, this car was bought new by the current vendor in December 1994 and shipped to Germany.

At that time, the car was Rolls-Royce White with Magnolia trim and came with the rare 6-speed manual gearbox.

It had the following numbers when new:

Chassis: SCFDAM1SOSBL70055

Engine: 590/70055/M (Built by Roy Robarts)

Gearbox: 38849

There is no record of the car, its whereabouts or ownership until some time in 2019, when it arrived at the Aston Workshop, Durham.

At the time, a Director of the Aston Workshop stated in an email that, “The car was accident damaged front [sic] and repaired to a high standard. It only has 2 original correct wheels. Front engine compartment is not original and is none [sic] standard.”

They also advertised the car for sale on their site with the following statement: “Off the road for a number of years undergoing modifications, this particular example does not come with an engine and gearbox. Various gearbox options can be discussed along with a new 7.3-litre engine.”

So, this car is something of an enigma, not least because its history is a mystery and its current drivetrain specification will need some proper investigation. What we do know is that it has come to us as part of the vendor’s collection of static display cars.

Clearly, the engine is not the twin supercharged 5.3-litre V8 originally fitted. We can’t say with any certainty what the current engine is, but we think it bears an uncanny resemblance to the Chevrolet LS3 V8 engine as used in the 5th generation Camaro.

But we don’t know.

On 16.12.2019, the Aston Workshop sold the car as a ‘rolling chassis’ - without either an engine or a gearbox - back to the current vendor.

By then, the car had become Onyx Black and had clocked up 75,610km – exactly the same figure it shows today.

We haven’t been able to start or drive the car but we have turned the engine over by hand and can therefore attest that it is not seized.

Aesthetically and cosmetically, the car is in very good all-round condition.

At some point between 1994 and 2019 the car changed from Rolls-White to Onyx Black. We don’t know when but, judging from the depth of shine and lustre in the paint, our guess is that it will have been done in the not-too-distant past.

This is an imposing, purposeful-looking car. The black paint somehow accentuates that effect and makes the car look fittingly aggressive and intimidating.

The wheels (‘correct’ or otherwise) seem to be in good condition.

There are no dinks, dents or dimples to speak of anywhere on the bodywork. The shut lines are tight, consistent and even.

The exterior trim appears to be all present, correct and in decent nick. The badging, lights and lenses are good all round.

There are some scuffs and scratches on the rear bumper and valance, and a few stone chips in the usual places below the front bumper and sills.

It took us a few moments to open the bonnet and we suspect that one of the catches might be sticking.

There is no bubbling or corrosion visible anywhere that we can see.

The interior condition is largely pretty good and everything appears to be basically sound but in need of some care and attention in places.

The leather upholstery in the rear is pretty much pristine and doesn’t look as if it has been overly troubled by the presence of any passengers.

The front seats, while supportive, comfortable and devoid of any damage, are showing some creasing and look as if they would thank the next owner for some cleaning and feeding.

The Alcantara headlining is good, as are the door cards.

The gloriously rich and glossy wood veneers on the dashboard and the doors are in fine condition. The veneers around the gear lever, however, have cracked and lifted.

The steering wheel has some wear on either side by the horn buttons. The handbrake gaiter is a little shabby and could do with a clean. The carpets and mats are sound as far as we can tell.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of the car’s knobs, switches, dials, levers and buttons as we haven’t been able to start the vehicle and test the electrics.

Some of the carpeting in the boot is missing. In other places, it is discoloured and threadbare. We suspect it may have fallen victim to the unwelcome attentions of a moth or two.

The boot is home to a spare wheel and toolkit. Lifting up the carpets here or elsewhere on this car reveals only an entirely standard superficial bloom of rust dust here and there, but nothing to raise an eyebrow.

In general, the undersides seem to be well preserved, undamaged and structurally sound.

We’ve seen nothing more than standard superficial rust dust anywhere.

The engine bay is clean and dry. As for the engine, well, your first mission will be to work out exactly what it is. Whatever the answer, it looks pretty new and unused to us.

We have no service history for the car.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

As with the other cars in this collection we can’t say anything about the car’s history, its mechanical functionality, or how it drives and handles.

We can only comment on what we see, which, in this instance, would appear to be a sound, solid, relatively low mileage example of an extremely rare hand-built Aston Martin V8 Vantage 550.

Clearly, though, with a different engine and gearbox, this is not the car that left the factory in Newport Pagnell in 1995.

Only when it has been recommissioned and taken out on the open road will the next owner have any real idea of how little or much this car now diverges from the original.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £20,000 - £30,000 plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.