Row Your Own - English Edition

Few modern sports cars have aged as gracefully as the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Beautifully proportioned, compact, and refreshingly understated, the original V8 Vantage remains one of the most attractive designs of its era. This remarkably low-mileage 2007 example is made particularly special by its combination of a 6-speed manual gearbox and a spectacular Kestrel Tan full-leather interior.

Despite its name, Kestrel Tan is anything but ordinary beige. It is a rich, saturated orange-cognac color that covers virtually the entire cabin, including the seats, dashboard, instrument binnacle, center console, door panels, and much of the steering wheel. Against the restrained silver exterior, it creates a wonderfully dramatic contrast and is considerably more memorable than the black and gray interiors found in many Vantages. 

Under the hood is Aston Martin’s naturally aspirated 4.3-liter DOHC V8, producing 380 horsepower and paired in this car with the highly desirable six-speed manual transmission. With rear-wheel drive, a limited-slip differential, bonded-aluminum chassis, and wonderful V8 soundtrack, the early Vantage delivers the kind of analog driving experience that has largely disappeared from modern Aston Martins.

This example is also equipped with factory 19-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, red Aston Martin brake calipers over slotted rotors, xenon lighting, rear parking sensors, and the beautifully detailed bright-finish grille.

There is perhaps no other car in the current marketplace that provides a better ratio of style, exclusivity, and performance per dollar that the V8 Vantage. With fewer than 10,000 miles, the six-speed manual gearbox, naturally aspirated V8, and finished in a rare and desirable color combination, this is an unusually appealing example of what has become one of Aston Martin’s most enduring modern designs.