1991 Aston Martin Virage

This motor car is being sold as part of a private overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams’ temporary admission customs bond. In addition to the ‘hammer’ price, the winning bidder must pay a bond release fee (£350) and also import tax/duty.

In the UK, cars over 30 years old are subject to the lower rate of 5% import tax on the final selling price if purchased by a private individual. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT. A company buying this car will always pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT on the ‘hammer’ price.

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 upon proof of customs/tax payment in the other country.

The bond release fee (£350 payable direct, post-auction, to the CARS shipping company) will produce a NOVA from HMRC, this document is formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK. The vehicle is not registered anywhere. You must register the vehicle with the DVLA. Upon request, The Market can suggest some companies who can help with this process.

This vehicle has been on static display in the Middle East for a number of years, and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section. In all cases, the documents shown are photocopies, unless otherwise stated. We do not have the originals.

Unless otherwise stated, we have not tried to start or drive the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is strictly sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for viewing by appointment weekdays 9am-5pm, and we advise you (or your appointed engineer) to inspect it at our HQ near Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

VIN: SCFCAM1S9MBR50175.

This very unusual manual RHD Aston Martin Virage was bought new in 1991 by a Mr. Gibson of Bulkhaul Ltd, Middlesbrough.

It was (and still is) Suffolk Red with Magnolia leather upholstery and Onslow Red carpets.

The engine turns over but the car doesn’t currently start or run. Even if it did, the brakes are binding at present.

Consequently, we can only assess it on its cosmetic condition.

While the car takes power to the dashboard, the trip computer refuses to spring into life and, consequently, we can’t see or read the odometer.

We understand this to be a fairly common fault with Virages of a certain vintage.

That said, we know that the car was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display cars in 2102, and we also know that on the occasion of its 2011 MoT test the mileage was recorded as being 59,293.

It’s safe to assume that this number won’t have increased by much, if at all, over the intervening years.

In common with many cars from the vendor’s collection, it comes with very little in the way of history or records.

It does, however, come with an original specification sheet, copies of old V5s and MoTs, an invoice for a new clutch in 2007, and proof of purchase by the vendor’s Swiss agent in 2012.

The first thing you’ll notice is that the passenger door will not open. We don’t know why.

The bodywork is free of any dinks, dents or creases worth mentioning and the panels, panel gaps and shut lines look consistent and even.

The paintwork is a little dull in places but would probably perk up no end if treated to a professional machine polish and lashings of elbow grease.

There is a little bubbling on the o/s ‘A’ pillar and at the top of the door on the same side.

There’s also some bubbling on the o/s/r wing where it meets the window trim, some scuffs on the passenger door and some micro-blistering on the n/s fuel filler flap.

There is some additional bubbling to be found at the base of the n/s/f wheel arch nearest the door.

Elsewhere there’s just the entirely standard amount of randomly distributed stone chips in the usual places – front valance, wheel arches, etc.

The Magnolia leather upholstery with red piping is dirty and needs a good scrub but is otherwise OK.

The front seats have an entirely predictable and acceptable level of creasing and patina for their age and the assumed mileage of the car.

The rear seats look as if they’ve only heard about humans and haven’t actually borne the weight of any for more than a few fleeting moments.

The headlining is intact and undamaged but a little grubby.

Much the same can be said of the door cards.

There is some bubbling and flaking in the forward-facing part of the door jamb on the driver’s side.

The carpets and mats are rather moth-eaten and there are a couple of scuffs to the leather on the steering wheel and on the wood and leather on the centre console around the gear lever.

The boot appears to be broadly fine and contains a spare wheel.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t started or driven the vehicle.

Everything in the engine bay, including the engine (built by Ron Russell), appears to be clean, dry, present and correct.

The undersides of the car, although not free of rust, seem to have a decent amount of structural integrity.

Obviously, you’ll want to judge for yourself.

The car doesn’t come with any history or service records beyond what is shown in the photography section.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5. It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

None of the paperwork shown in the gallery constitutes any kind of current licensing or registration documentation.

Although a little dusty and tired in places, we’re of the opinion that a good scrub and polish would do wonders for this fine, hand-built car – provided, of course, that the engine, electrics and mechanicals are amenable to recommissioning and as decent as the rest of it.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £30,000 - £40,000, 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; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, 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’.