Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977)

Cosmetic Vantage at the Concours d'Elegance in Greenwich, Connecticut The first series equipped with four 48IDF2/100 Weber carburetors produced an estimated at 5800 rpm and at 4500 rpm of torque, and series specific details such as a blanked bonnet vent and a separate rear spoiler. 38 of these were built (plus 13 "Cosmetics" for the US). The Oscar India (for 1 October, the date of introduction) version, introduced in late 1978, featured an integrated tea-tray spoiler and smoother bonnet bulge. Inside, a black leather-covered dash replaced the previous walnut. The wooden dashboard did find its way back into the Vantage during the eighties, giving a more luxurious appearance. The Oscar India version also received a slight increase in power, to . 304 Series 2 Vantage coupés were built – including 137 X-Packs (including 6 "Cosmetic" X-packs) – and 192 Volantes (in spite of only having been officially introduced in 1986, near the end of production). Of the 'Cosmetic' Vantage (for the US Swiss and Japanese markets, with fuel injection instead of Weber carburettors), 14 Series 2 coupés and 56 Volantes were built. Although the full spec (carburettor) Vantage models were not imported into the US when new, they now qualify for entry under the DOT's 'Show and Display' rules in most US States. Federal requirements are also less strict for cars over 25 years old (as all Vantages have been since 2014). == Performance ==

The V8 Vantage was tested by Motor in April 1981. They measured a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h). It was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's fastest independently road-tested production car. ==Vantage Volante==

A Vantage Volante convertible version was also produced between 1986 and 1989. Six mechanically similar cars had been built earlier to special order, but it was not regularly available until then. The production version featured an even deeper front spoiler than fitted to the Vantage, even wider wheel arches, and extended side skirts. The Vantage Volante also had a rear spoiler, which the regular Volante did not feature. In total, 166 Vantage Volantes were built, with the last ones leaving the factory in December 1989. In 1987 Charles, Prince of Wales took delivery of a Vantage Volante, but at his request without the production car's wider wheelarches, front air dam and side skirts. This became known as the 'Prince of Wales Spec' (or PoW) and around another 26 such cars were built by the factory. These are now generally considered the most desirable of all the 1970s/80s V8 models. Combined with the PoW cars, 192 Vantage Volantes were built. SC06 1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante.jpg|1986 V8 Vantage Volante (USA Specification) 1990 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante X-pack in blue, rear left.jpg|1990 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante X-Pack, with the big wheelarches and sideskirts 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Prince of Wales HCC25.jpg|Aston Martin V8 Vantage Prince of Wales (PoW) == V8 Zagato ==

The V8 Zagato is a limited-edition version of the V8 Vantage with a body by the coachbuilder Zagato. The design was an angular modern interpretation of the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato of the 1960s. The Zagato is powered by a version of the Vantage's V8 engine with twin choke Weber carburettors. The coupé was first unveiled at the 1986 Geneva Motor Show, and 52 examples of the coupé and 37 of the convertible were built between 1986 and 1990. ==The Living Daylights==

James Bond's car in the 1987 film, The Living Daylights, was a V8 Volante (convertible), registration number B549 WUU, with a few optional extras installed. The car used was a Volante owned by Aston Martin Lagonda chairman Victor Gauntlett. Later, the car is fitted with a hardtop ("winterised") at Q Branch, and these scenes feature a pair of non-Vantage V8 saloons, fitted with the same number plate as the initial car, but with Vantage badges now fitted to match the previous Vantage. The number plate B549 WUU was painted on the upper portion of Pierre Gasly's Red Bull Racing RB15's rear wing for the 2019 British Grand Prix. The alterations and gadgets featured were: • Head-up display • Police band radio • Tyre spikes • Rocket motor behind rear number plate • Retractable outriggers • Heat-seeking missiles behind front fog lights • Lasers in front wheel hubcaps • Bulletproof windows and body • Self-destruct system The car returns to the franchise in the film No Time to Die where James Bond drives it to return to MI6 and when he and Madeleine go to Norway to visit her childhood home as well as meeting Mathilde, their daughter. At the end of the movie, the V8 Vantage would be driven by Madeleine Swann as she takes her daughter Mathilde to Matera and tells her the story of James Bond. The 2026 franchise installment 007 First Light again features the V8 Vantage. ==In other films==

In the James Bond parody Johnny English Strikes Again, Johnny English drives an Aston Martin V8 Vantage similar to the one used by James Bond, though it is coloured red, less modified, and was provided by Rowan Atkinson, who had purchased it six months before filming started. ==References==