1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante: The mighty one

1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante: The mighty one

Engine V8Horsepower 406 PS (400 bhp) (298 kW) at 6000 rpmTorque 529 Nm (390 ft·lb) (53.9 kg m) at 5000 rpmEngine Location FrontDrive Type RWDF/R Breaks VeDi/VeDi-STransmission 5-speed manual

In 1977 and for about two decades, more effective modifications of Aston Martins were called the Vantage. Later it evolved into a standalone model that peaked in power in the 80s. It was a beautiful automobile with an in-line four-liter “six” and a sporty design that resembled Italian sports cars with its angular rear end.

Source: Auto Vercity

Debuted in 1986 at the Birmingham Motor Show, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante made a splash. The new convertible from the AM became one of the fastest roadsters. The powerful engine was not the only element that distinguished the novelty from the standard Vantage: the new convertible version was different from the coupe with the body kit that included large expanders, a front bumper, side skirts, and a raised trunk lid. 1/3 of the produced automobiles were shipped to the USA, and over 150 vehicles were manufactured during three years of production.  

The origins

Source: Auto Vercity

The beginning of the 70s was a test for Aston Martin owner David Brown. Due to financial difficulties, in 1972, he sold his business to a consortium of investment banks Company Development Ltd. from Birmingham, led by William Wilson. For the next ten years, the company did nothing but change owners. The American was replaced by a Canadian and two British who tried to breathe new life into the enterprise. The well-known model of the DBS brand survived restyling and was renamed the Aston Martin V8. In 1975, the company was bought by American businessmen Peter Sprague and George Minden, who modernized the production line. In 1976, the extravagant and futuristic Aston Martin-Lagonda sedan was introduced, designed by William Towns in a wedge-shaped style. The following year, an improved modification of the V8 appeared, called the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. In June 1978, a convertible was released, again called Volante, for the export market. In October, another improved version of the standard automobile appeared with a sophisticated appearance and luxurious interior. Later, Aston Martin received the supplier’s status to the Prince of Wales, which belongs to him to this day. Further, throughout the 80s, the company changed owners several times.

The 1986 model year

Source: NotoriousLuxury

Aston Martin developed a convertible based on the V8, which from 1986 was also sold with the uprated Vantage engine. A convertible modification was made between 1986 and 1989. Initially, six mechanically similar cars were produced by special order. The production version received a deeper front spoiler than the regular Vantage, wide wheel arches, and longer side skirts. The 1986 convertible version also had a rear spoiler specific to the Volante model. For all the years of production, 166 Vantage Volante convertibles were made: the last copies left the factory in December 1989. Remarkably, the following year after the launch of the convertibles, Prince Charles received the status of the supplier of Vantage Volante. However, at his request, the wide wheel arches were remade to thinner ones, like those of a production car. This modification was called the “Prince of Wales Spec” (or PoW), and 26 more similar vehicles left the factory. Unsurprisingly, they are now a collector’s item, considered the most coveted of all 1970s/80s V8 models. Together with the PoW automobiles, 192 Vantage Volantes were built.

Did you know?

David and Victoria Beckham

Source: UK celebrities and their cars

One of the V8 Volante convertibles produced in late 1986 belonged to David Beckham. Distinctive features of Beckham’s former convertible were dark red body color, cream leather interior with cherry accented, and a 423 hp V8 with a volume of 5.3 liters and a 5-speed manual gearbox. 

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1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante: The mighty one

Engine V8Horsepower 406 PS (400 bhp) (298 kW) at 6000 rpmTorque 529 Nm (390 ft·lb) (53.9 kg m) at 5000 rpmEngine Location FrontDrive Type RWDF/R Breaks VeDi/VeDi-STransmission 5-speed manual

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