1990 Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volante Vantage for sale for GBP 295,000

1990 Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volante Vantage

Seller's description

With the introduction of the Vantage Zagato in 1986, Aston Martin renewed its association with one of Italy's most illustrious carrozzerie, the latter having been responsible for that most celebrated and desirable of all post-war Aston Martins, the DB4GT Zagato.

The first Vantage Zagato prototype was shown to the public at Geneva in March 1986, and in June successfully met its design target by achieving a maximum speed of 186mph while on test with the French magazine Sport Auto. Part of Zagato's brief had been to shed some of the standard Vantage's weight, and this was achieved by the simple expedient of shortening the wheelbase by a little over 17 centimeters and deleting the rear seats, thus creating Aston's first production two-seater since the DB4GT.

The 5.3-liter four-cam V8 was, naturally, to Vantage specification, producing a mind-bending 432bhp at 6200rpm. The manner of installation, though, created a certain amount of controversy. The Zagato's low, sloping hood, designed to cover a fuel-injected engine, was distinguished by the bulge necessary to clear the Vantage's quartet of Weber carburettors.

Predictably, given the success of the coupé and the premiums desperate buyers were paying over the $171,808 list price to obtain one, a Zagato Volante convertible was not long in coming. The first example was exhibited in 1987. Initially intended only for the fuel-injected 320bhp engine, most Volantes had a neatly sloping bonnet however, in a case like 30035, if a customer specified an engine in Vantage tune the bonnet had that powerful bulge rather than the more streamlined affair of its less powerful cousin.

Summary

This is a very rare car – one of just ten cars built - and not released dusty and bronchitic from a long term collection, but rather restored to the highest standard and a thrill to drive.

Admired at events like the Goodwood Revival, this is a modern classic that is as beautifully presented as it is rare. One for the collector or anyone who enjoys a thrilling open topped Aston.

Vehicle History

30035 is one of only 10 Zagato Volantes originally constructed by the factory with a Vantage engine – an early photograph shows the car under cover at Works Service awaiting her first owner.

The second owner purchased the car though Aston specialists, HWM in 1992 and with the recorded mileage still less than 2,000 miles, the car sustained accident damage and was later acquired by a specialist restorer who stripped the car, restoring the body and chassis to original Zagato specification. But he was then distracted by other projects and the Zagato lay fallow for some years until acquired by the current owner – a real Aston Martin enthusiast – in 2010.

Whilst the current owner project managed the nut and bolt restoration of the car – the work was shared between Lincoln Scott and RH Classics. A sum in excess of £130,000 has been spent on the restoration and invoicing is accompanied by a photographic record – the current speedometer reading is 1,900 having been replaced as part of the restoration so the mileage total is around 4,100. Serviced by Aston Martin Works Service in March 2015 the car is presented in outstanding order with the only variances to the original factory specification are an RS Williams stainless steel exhaust and a burr walnut glovebox, console and rear apron from Lincoln Scott. The current owner’s quest for authenticity in restoration is illustrated by how far he went for some of the parts!

MOT History

MOT Date   Odometer

30.01.14    49
28.01.15    1,691

Service and Maintenance Record

09/08/10- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: SDW Services

Purchase of car by current owner

06.12.10- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

To supply 4 Webber carburettors 48IDF

01.07.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Rikki Cann

Parts only: Exhaust system complete with manifolds to rear axle.

06.07.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Fit up engine ancillaries, powder coat filter housings, hood frame mounting, servo mounting & compressor mounting brackets, cam covers. Make & fit fan cowl to radiator brackets & brake switch mounting bracket and earth lead. Send l/h headlamp Perspex cover for polishing, send steering rack for rebuild. Clean and fit side/indicator units to front end. Paid sub contractor on account for dismantling suspension & underside of chassis, re-blacking cabin, engine bay, boot and underside.

10.07.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Supply upper and lower steering column assembles,. Assemble steering columns, fit new U/J’s and rubber coupling. Remove front end panel, paint inside, clean headlights and fit. Re-finish grille & fit. Paint and fit headlamp cover mountings. Remove hood frame assembly , frame mountings and rear quarter light buckets, dashboard centre console, carpets, servo, engine and gearbox, steering rack, air filter housings and mounting brackets. Remove cam covers and send for re-finishing. Split engine from gearbox and remove clutch, straighten gear lever selector arm. Sandblast and paint inlet manifolds. Pedal assembly, ream shaft bushes & assemble, tap threads, sandblast and paint. Put together brake and clutch pedal assembly and Radiator/Electric fan assembly.

10.07.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Supply & fit new internals to distributor body, supply new vacuum assembly, amp & coil.

17.08.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: BPA Engineering

Main nut and washer + four shims. Rebuild V8 Diff unit, blast and paint housing, blast and super finish crownwheel and pinion, 1 x pinion head bearing, 1 x pinion tail bearing, 2 x diff bearings, 1 x input seal, 2 x output seal, 10 x crownwheel bolts, 2 x DS crush spcers, 4 x output bearings, 2 x output tab washers, 1 x pinion crush spacer

21.11.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Remove ring gear, min grind flywheel, fit new clutch cover and balance, rear brake discs, skim, sandblast and paint. Dismantle rear brake callipers, remove pistons, beadblast / paint, fit new pistons and seals. Sandblast diff alloy cradle.. Diff cradle, cut, straighten, weld, sandblast & powder coat. Build up diff assembly. Fit airbox base & trumpets, paint air box, fit stainless steel latches & catches, make and fit seal, fit airbox and wire latches. Chassis Plate, drill fixing holes, stamp chassis no & polish. Fit throttle rod, & micro switch cut off, fit oil filter housing adapter & oil filter, Sub contract: refinishing chassis to bare chassis in black condition

14.12.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Refinishing of powder coating of suspension parts including De Dion. Plating charges, Engineer charges – machine 8 bushes & fit to radius arms, fit bearings and hubs to De Dion tube

21.12.11- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Puddleduck Parts

Parts only: Axle beam assembly

16.04.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Dismantle f/calipers, remove seized pistons, sandblast & refinish with caliper paint, fit new pistons & seals. Assemble f/shocks & springs, build f/suspension prior to fitting. Refurbish and build 2nd De Dion tube, trim dashboard, centre console, gear lever gaiter and plate, re-position and fix instrument mounting plate and fit instruments, make up instrument fascia and mount in front of instruments, make wooden glove box lid. Wiring loom inspection and repair. Fit new clutch and assemble gearbox to engine. Fit bulkhead and under floor heat shields. Install engine and gearbox, install diff and rear suspension, fit new u/j to propshaft, balance and fit to car. Fit brake servos, fit front suspension, wheel bearings and brake discs

23.04.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Veneering and materials

28.05.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Supply radiator stay x 2 & Radiator bush x 2, Make new oil pipes for steering rack, fit front brake callipers and pads, fit radiator, fit drive shafts

17.08.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: JP Exhausts

Parts only: Pair of Aston Martin V8 manifolds

09.10.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RS Williams

Parts only: Nardi steering wheel, hoses for air con, PAS and coolant; oil pipe assembly cooler, pedal pads and assorted hoses, clips, screws, window switches and a/c control unit

14.10.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Fit & secure main loom to front bulkhead and make connections to rear loom, feed loom to engine bay, secure rear loom to inner sill, fit and seal rubber grommets. Fit inner sill cover panels and stainless steel top finishers.Fit oil feed union to bulkhead, attach hose, pipe and gauge. Fit edge guard to under dash. Fit insulation to footwells, transmission tunnel and bulkhead. Fit accelerator pedal assembly and pedal stop in driver’s footwell. Shorten and fit boot release cable. Remove and refit rear end panel, adjust panel gaps & fit sealing strips, fit rear lights and Z boot lid badge. Clean boot, fit battery and cut off switch, make bracket and fit gas strut, electric aerial fitted to wing, make adjustments to boot panels and fit carpet. Fit door glass and rear channels, paint door handles, fit Z badges and fit to doors. Clean and fit door check brackets and door striker guides. Re-carpet rear inner wheel arches and fit hood frame mounting frame, fit ¼ lightbuckets to inner wings, fit hood assembly. Stamp chassis crossmember. Fit ¼ lights to hood frame and seal carrier, fit hood rams, secure hydraulic hoses in position and fit covers. Fit seat belt to B pillars, re-carpet ¼ panels and fit. Make 12mm ply panel & fit to servo cover, cut in & fit speakers, fit speaker wires & secure to cover frame, retrim servo cover assembly. Clean all leather work, alcantara and hood, polish bodywork and clean glass. Re-carpet remaining panels & fit up rear of interior, fit new nutserts & fit rear surround panel, Fit speedo cable to gearbox and fit trans tunnel. Make and fit crossbar to centre console to gap switch panel, re-profile gearlever plate to fit and fit mounting block to trans tunnel. Re-carpet trans tunnel, fit under dash trunking and secure. Fit dashboard assembly, fit centre console assembly, check fit & remove.

14.10.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Fit upper and lower steering column components to chassis, fit wiring to stalks & horn, fit Nardi to boss and fit to column. Fit A/C condenser, oil coolers and connector hose. Fit vac reservoir, ignition pack, & chassis plate to inner wheel arch. Test actuators for fuel flap release, central locking & electric windows. Connect battery feed and trigger to starter motor. Connect heater blower motors & associated wiring / relays. Test wiring behind main dashboard assembly. Build loom for o/s/f door and connect to main loom. Install door switches, connect header rail light. Test & construct diagram for dashboard lighting switches. Fit front side lights. Build & fit sub looms for brake lamp switch, reverse lamp switch and oil temp sender.

23.10.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Bill McGrath Ltd

Parts only: Door handle, left and right electric door mirrors, A pillar grommets, clips

24.10.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Subcontract work from Daniel Elias for electrical work and remote locking unit, fuse box and connector shells

24.10.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Fit fuel line, n/s fresh air inlet hose 7 joiner, glove box lid – adjust fit, make and fit latch, source & fit stay have key made for lock. Modify centre veneered panel to clear A/C control fascia. Fit head unit and wire in, modify switches and knobs, fit door mirrors, fit mirror covers, adjust door locks, connect drop glass and adjust. Secure door panels, re-chrome interior door handles, re-colour leather, weld bonnet stay bracket to engine bay, fit bonnet stay. Make and weld tow eye, paint and fit rear ¼ light finisher. Drill drain holes to front wings, fit and secure aerial, fit boot light switch. Remove broken stub, fit handbrake switch bracket and fit switch. Fit check strap clips, supply and fit number plates, supply and fit new fuse box, make brackets and fit. Fit wiper motor/arm/washer jet and tubing, fit scuttle vent mesh, fit dipstick bracket, re-trim hood, re-finish screen rail top panel, hood catch hooks and bond seals. Fit ash tray, filler flaps, A/C suction motor, bonnet insultation, hood hydraulics, front seats, seat belt stalks, space saver tyre and cover, jacking tube rubbers, make & fit fillers for ends of dashboard, fit rear view mirror. Fit nuts to o/s Z badge, fit radiator stays, make and fit brake lines, make brake bias valve bracket and weld to chassis, fit oil filter adaptor plate, filter and hoses. Fit exhaust system, rear under tray, fit power steering hoses, check castor/camber/tracking/balancing. Set ride height, set accelerator, fit wheel arch splash panels, fit under body closing panels, fit front air dam, fit bonnet, fit distributor, start engine, road test MOT

30.10.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Bill McGrath Ltd

Parts only: door seal set l & r, rear ¼ light finisher x 2

31.10.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Stratton Motor Co

Parts only: lock kit

01.11.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RH Classics

Parts only: Dimmer switch, aerial extension, wiper blade, central locking system, fuel pump, 1 litre of paint

02.11.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RS Williams

Parts only: Header tank reservoir

02.11.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Adams & Page

Parts only 4 x Toyo 255/50 16 tyres

09.11.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Subcontract work from Daniel Elias for electrical work and number plate lamp assemblies and flasher unit

09.11.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Fit throttle link/pedal rod to carb link and fit acc pedal return spring. Make & fit vac pipes from servos to engine, secure to inner sill and refit sill to cover. Fit carpet to inner sill covers, fit bonnet release assembly. Fit A/C Bosch box to driver’s footwell, secure and connect wiring. Fit seal to scuttle, paint air filter housings, drill access and drain holes, make up trunking adaptors and fit to housings and fit to engine bay – fit air filters and trunking. Fit Coustelan insulation to firewall. Relocate A/C vac reservoir to n/s rear engine bay, connect pipe to one way valve& to engine outlet, run vac pipe to A/C control assembly. Remove scuttle drain assembly, refinish, fit drain hose & air inlet trunking and refit. Fit, secure and connect fresh air trunking to blower inlet housing. Fit header tank bracket to chassis and fit tank. Modify water valve bracket and mount to inner wing panel. Move ignition coil and power packto make space for w/valve. Fit thermostat housing to engine, re-route engine bay looms and secure. Fit dryer and bracket, connect A/C hoses & secure to inner wing. Seal & wrap A/C matrix outlets, fit distributor & P clip HT lead to coil. Make up heat shield sleeves, fit all coolant hoses. Connect 3 water hoses together & secure to air filter housing bracket. Adjust coil position to clear coolant hoses. Fit chassis & E mark plates, fit hose clamps to breather, adjust steering column, connect speed cable, oil pipe & wiring to instrument binnacle and fit. Fit LED light to top column cowl, fit indicator / wiper stalks & fit top cowl, fit ignition switch bezel. Run vac pipes to central vent & footwell vents, connect vac pipes, relay & wiring to A/C control unit, fit unit to dash, fit fascia and control knobs. Fit wiper delay switch to dash & fit 4 switch knobs, fit veneered centre panel, Fit centre console/cubby box assembly, wire up and fit switch panel and gearlever plate. Rotate A/C compressor through45 degrees to increase clearance for hoses, paint one end of hose silver to match. Fit fuel filter bracket, secure fuel cut off valve to chassis, fit fuel filter assembly& connect engine side hose. Adjust air horn brackets for clearance, make and fit seals to front edges of front wings, fit front assembly to chassis, gap to front wings and fit securing bolts. Fit n/s dash vent surround and fit vent, fit door edge seals, door wiring grommets and run wiring. Clean and fit door bottom scraper seals, rotate o/s radiator fan and secure wiring. Fit door aperture seals, fit B post finisher panels, fit rear end trim and servo cover panel. Clean & fit rear surround assembly & fit 2 press studs. Fit 2 press studs to B pillar, feed seat belts through rear surround, tap out threads & fit to inner sills withg spacers and fit bolt caps. Fit wheels and tyres. Fit glovebox assembly to lid. Make up template, mark and drill front wings & fit side marker lights & Z badges. Paint doo casings black and Waxoyl

19.11.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Remove oil coolers & slacken radiator fixings. Remove A/C condenser and return to AML (hoses wrong way round). Refit condenser, oil coolers etc. Fit air horns, compressor & hoses. Fit lower radiator hoses and connector pipe. Remove existing engine header tank (late spec thermostat housing/outlet obsolete), Produce tech drawing for engineer to make housing. Modify header tank bracket to fit under o/s wing, fit air filter housings to check for clearance, fit washer bottle to front of inner wing, fit edge guard to inner edge of front wings, fit door lock barrel.

22.11.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Bill McGrath

Parts only: R & L hand trim holders, 2 x outer trim strips, 2 x indicator repeater units, 2 x door lock actuation bars

25.11.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Parts supplied re last invoice.

04.12.12- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Lincoln Scott

Fit door lock to door handle & fit handles to doors, fit connecting links, rear glass channels and loose fit drop glass. Fit door pockets to door panels, fit panels and arm rests to doors. Fit panels & carpeting to boot, fit insulation to cabin. Cut, bind and fit cabin carpets, compress N/S trunking and fit glove box, loose fit lid, tighten steering wheel and fit horn push assembly, make and fit handbrake gaiter, secure centre console and cubby box, fit gear lever, gaiter, panel and knob. Supply used AML brake bias valve and have engineer overhaul same. Make & fit hood cover in blue hide.

26.07.13- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RH Classics

Pipe up oil system, fit oil filter and adaptor. Remove spark plugs, fill with oil and test engine for oil pressure. Make and fit remaining fuel lines, pin back existing fuel line to chassis, fit and plumb fuel pump, redo wiring to fuel pump, remove distributor and repair clamp, refit distributor and statically set ignition timing. Fit supplied exhaust system. Add fuel and carry out leak test. Run engine Fill gearbox with oil, fill water system, diagnose leaking radiator. Drain water and remove radiator. Plumb up clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder and bleed. Make and lay brake pipe throughout car, fit brake bias valve, fit and set up pedal box, bleed system and leak test

19.08.13- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RH Classics

Fit radiator and front panel to car, modify front valance, fit and adjust. Collect bonnet, fit and adjust. Reshape rear valance, add mounting clips and fit to car. Stone chip existing under trays, make new rear under trays and inner arches, stone chip and fit. Make front wing re-inforcing bracket, make and fit bonnet stay, fit wheels and lower car.

28.10.13- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RS Williams

Parts only: Zagato door mirror switch, dash face switch knob,

28.10.13- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Auto Italia

Parts only: Trunk switch

04.11.13- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RS Williams

Parts only: Front seat slide RH & LH for Zagato

19.11.13- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RS Williams

Parts only: Front seat slide handle

20.11.13- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Martin New England

Parts only: Interior lamp

04.02.14- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RH Classics

MOT, Number Plates & Exhaust to pattern

06.02.14- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RS Williams

Parts only: V8 Zagato Seatbelt Assembly, LH & RH

03.10.14- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: RS Williams

Parts only: V8 Zagato Water temperature gauge

24.02.15- Mileage: 01,682- Service Agent: Aston Martin Works

Carry out initial vehicle appraisal and road test, undertake work audit. Remove windscreen and trims, flat and touch in header, prepare aperture, bond windscreen into position and fit trims. Dismantle upper king pins and replace gaiter and rebuild. Dismantle lower king pins and replace gaiters and shims, adjust free play. Dismantle LH rear hub, replace bearings. Replace stub axles on LH & RH hubs. Replace Watts linkage arm. Drain engine cooling system, remove alternator and air pipes, remove ancillary items to enable removal of RH cylinder head to facilitate replacement of gasket, remove manifolds, drill out sample bungs and tap for new. Refill cooling system and bleed. Carry out 5,000 mile service to schedule MOT Replace LH rear fog lamp – noted bracket bent so remove all lights, align and bond missing fixing in position, make up new finisher on RH side and install, assemble all displaced parts. Seal timing tensioner bolt. Remove bonnet, cut insulation to fit in panels, clean bonnet and bond into position, refit. Replace broken wire on rear indicator lamp, drill out and replace broken screw on RHR trim

02.06.15- Mileage: 01,903- Service Agent: Aston Martin Works

Remove prop shaft and lower rear hypoid. Remove flange and pinion nut, found inner slinger missing. Install pinion spacer and oil seal, assemble displaced parts and top up oil

09.10.15- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Allied Automotive

Repair / paint fron panel / splitter

Contact All Aston Martin for more details.