Beschreibung:

In March 1999, Aston Martin announced that 40 special versions of the Vantage - the Vantage Le Mans - would be built to celebrate the factory’s famous victory at the Le Mans 24-Hour Race in 1959, when Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby took the chequered flag first in ‘DBR1/2’. The basis of the fastest Aston Martin ever was the standard Vantage. Although at a glance outwardly similar to the latter, the Le Mans could be distinguished by its front wing side vents - recalling those of the DBR1 racer - ducted bonnet, ‘nostril’ front grille and improved high-downforce air dam, while at the rear the spoiler was revised to incorporate the high-intensity and reversing lights. The Le Mans received unique five-spoke magnesium alloy wheels, while beneath the skin its chassis boasted the kind of extensive re-engineering required to cope with the massive increase in performance that the Vantage gained over its Virage progenitor. For the Vantage, Aston Martin engineers developed a blown version of the proven 5,340cc V8 engine, twin mechanically driven Eaton superchargers being preferred to turbo-chargers on the grounds of superior throttle response. Quite apart from its stupendous maximum output of 550bhp, remarkable enough in itself, the engine is monstrously torquey, producing 550lb/ft at 4,000rpm, a figure that makes even the mighty Chrysler Viper V10’s 450lb/ft seem puny by way of comparison. Autocar summed up the Vantage as, “a real Aston Martin; a big, very beautiful, very fast, albeit expensive GT with so much appeal and purpose behind it that it is more an experience than it is mere transport.” On the road its potential performance was equally staggering: 0-100km/h (62mph) being achievable in 3.9 seconds and a top speed in excess of 320km/h (200mph) possible. The Le Mans interior too was specially reconfigured in the sporting idiom, boasting perforated, competition-style pedals, an oversize tachometer, aluminium gearlever knob, ‘button’ starter and brushed metal panelling instead of the traditional wood veneers, while the Wilton carpeting featured embossed ‘Aston Martin’ emblems. This limited edition number ‘23’ of 40 made, was sold new to the current owner on 24th February 2000. A left-hand drive model equipped with automatic transmission, it has covered a mere 3,000 kilometres from new and is presented in commensurately outstanding condition in every department. Options fitted include traction control, electro chrome self-dipping mirror with compass and outside temp reading, retractable door mirrors, front and rear parking sensors and full Alpine navigation system. Finished in Mendip Blue with Pacific Blue-piped magnolia Connolly hide upholstery, titanium finish interior detailing and blue carpets, the car is offered with original tool kit and possesses a valid Monaco Carte Grise and Contrôle Technique. Ce modèle, numéro ‘23’ sur 40 exemplaires fabriqués d’une édition trés limitée fut acheté neuf par l’actuel propriétaire le 24 février 2000. Cette Vantage Le Mans conduite à gauche équippée de la transmission automatique n’a couvert que 3,000 kilomètres depuis sa sortie d’usine. Les nombreuses options incluent le ‘traction control’, les rétroviseurs rétractables, les radars de parking avant/ arrière et un sytsème de navigation Alpine. Présentée ici dans sa livrée ‘Mendip Blue’ avec la sellerie Connolly magnolia, passe-poil ‘Pacific Blue’, finition en titane et moquettes bleues, cette Aston Martin exclusive est en excellent état et viendra avec sa trousse à outils, ses documents d’immatriculation monégasques et son contrôle technique à jour.