2006 Aston Martin Vantage

Finished in Grigio Titanio, which the seller understands was a special order Ferrari colour, ‘S23 VTG’ is an Aston Martin Vantage that’s showing just 68,000 miles on the odometer, a mileage that’s supported by a perfect service history.

The seller has had it in his care since November 2023; he’s used it carefully, but hasn’t been afraid to stretch its legs every now and then, most notably on a recent trip to Germany and Belgium which he describes, with classic British understatement, as being “quite good fun.”

In need of little bar its next service, this delightful example is being offered with a very sensible guide piece.

When asked how he created his most famous staue, Michelangelo is said to have replied “It is easy. You just chip away the stone that doesn’t look like David” – and much the same applies to a Vantage finished in Grigio Titanio; it looks like a hunk of titanium that’s had everything that doesn’t look like the definitive 21st Aston Martin.

When he bought it, the seller was told this was a special-order colour that was developed and used by Ferrari. We’ve nothing to confirm it in the file but it’s not a colour we’ve seen before on an Aston, so it may well be true.

Of course, this somewhat tortuous analogy only works if the car in question does actually look like a solid hunk of metal, which means it’s got to have laser-accurate shutlines, flawless panel alignment, and a complete absence of the sort of dents and dinks that would ruin the illusion.

Which is exactly what this stunning example delivers.

Jewellery isn’t necessary when you’re this beautiful, so badging is minimal; like Prince, Madonna, and Cher, the Aston introduces itself with just the one name, in this case via a simple badge on the boot lid.

Chrome more notional than on most cars with luxury pretensions, but then the Vantage is a car for whom luxury is engineered in rather than air-brushed on by a marketing department.

However, the legislative gods so demand the standard quota of lights though, but these have been as impeccably maintained as they were thoughtfully designed.

Speaking of design, the open nature of the 19-inch, five-double-spoke alloy wheels allows passersby to appreciate the immensity of the brake discs, fully 355mm at the front and 330mm at the rear – and if you’re as Old School as us that equates to 14” and 13” respectively, or the same size as the wheels on the family hatchback.

The brake calipers are, of course, finished in silver. This is not a car that feels the need to shout.

Tyres are recent and matching Continental Sport Contact 7, with 275/35ZR19 on the rear axle, and slightly narrower 235/40ZR19 on the front.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

As for signs of wear ‘n’ tear, there really aren’t that many. Apart from the usual light stonechips to the front end and lower areas that every car accumulates along the way, we spotted a few light scratches and a scuff to the nearside of the front bumper, plus the odd small mark on the alloy wheels.

There are also bubbles on the rear parking sensor caps plus a few more on the bottom of the driver’s door . The latter also has a small chip to its bottom corner.

The blue leather interior, which boasts contrasting white stitching, is every bit as impressive as the rest of the Aston. Made of the finest hide, its condition is as resplendent as its use is expansive.

As for the two seats, they are some of the most comfortable and supportive in the business; balancing the competing demands of the corpulent and affluent with those of the budding racing driver can be a tricky job but few do it better than Newport Pagnell.

Their condition is good too, with the driver’s seat being no more than gently creased and a little rumpled after a couple of decades of use. As you might expect, the passenger seat is even better.

Just as importantly, the leather on the top of the dashboard, which is known to harden and ease away from the edges, is still firmly glued in place and looking every bit as good now as it did when it was fitted.

The carpets are excellent, the metallic grey instruments look like new, the headlining is taut, and the door cards are free of any damage or scuffs.

A (somewhat antiquated) sat-nav pops up neatly from the top of the dashboard, a pair of sill plates proclaim it was “hand built in England”, and the boot is capacious and as well-preserved as everywhere else.

Even the air-conditioning blows nice and cold, which doesn’t really leave the new owner with anything to do bar revel in the tactile delights offered by the Holy Trinity of a short-throw gearlever, a trio of alloy pedals, and a thick-rimmed and ergonomically flawless steering wheel.

If we were buying something like a Vantage we’d want to see a fully stamped service history booklet, with a stamp for each year and the car only ever having been worked on by either a main dealer or a reputable independent specialist.

Which is what you get here: 18 stamps in the book and only one non-dealer service – and that was done by a specialist.

• 01.12.2006 and 1,516 miles – service by Stratstone Cardiff
• 22.11.2007 and 9,979 miles – service by Stratstone Cardiff
• 02.12.2008 and 17,696 miles – service by Stratstone Cardiff
• 05.11.2009 and 24,699 miles – service by Stratstone Cardiff
• 18.11.2010 and 29,914 miles – service by Stratstone London
• 15.11.2011 and 34,909 miles – service by Stratstone London
• 09.10.2012 and 38,208 miles – service by Stratstone London
• 28.10.2013 and 41,410 miles – service by Stratstone London
• 27.10.2014 and 44,650 miles – service by Stratstone London
• 16.10.2015 and 47,326 miles – service by Stratstone London
• 11.10.2016 and 49,578 miles – service by Stratstone London
• 12.10.2017 and 52,665 miles – service by Aston Martin Chichester
• 04.10.2018 and 56,617 miles – service by Aston Martin Chichester
• 17.10.2019 and 59,432 miles – service by Aston Martin Chichester
• 15.10.2020 and 60,301 miles – service by Aston Martin Chichester
• 23.12.2021 and 62,558 miles – service by Aston Martin Chichester
• 09.11.2022 and 63,751 miles – service by Sports & Prestige
• 03.01.2024 and 67,083 miles – service by Aston Martin Works

The service for 2023 was a couple of months late in 2024, which means it’s due a service now, something the dashboard is prompting – but that is the only warning light on the dashboard bar, which is further good news.

As you can see, it starts immediately, idles perfectly, revs like a fiend, and the howl from the Prodrive exhaust could wake the devil himself – but remember what we said about this car not feeling the need to shout? Well, the exhaust is switchable via a button on the steering column, so you can ease your way through traffic leaving barely a ripple in your wake.

The engine bay is in a good condition, but a few rusty fasteners do rather let it down. Replacing them should be straightforward and probably wouldn’t break the budget; add it to the list of jobs that need doing on this next service, eh?

No worries about corrosion on the underside of course. No scuffs or other damage under there either but then having got this far you could probably have predicted that this would be the case.

The Aston’s MoT certificate is not only valid until February 2026, it was also issued with no advisories, something it’s been no stranger to over the years.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with two keys, one fob, a stamped service history booklet that’s supported by an Aston Martin printout of its history, and a couple of recent invoices.

Finished in a great – and possibly unique – colour scheme and supported by one of the best service histories we’ve seen in a while, this beautifully presented Aston Martin Vantage would be the perfect introduction to the marque.

Not least because our estimate is that the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £20,000 and £25,000, which really isn’t much to put an example of one of the best-looking and driving sportscars ever built in your garage.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays 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’.