• Year of manufacture 
    1989
  • Mileage 
    14 859 mi / 23 914 km
  • Car type 
    Convertible / Roadster
  • Chassis number 
    R15733
  • Drive 
    RHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Exterior brand colour 
    Graphite Grey
  • Interior colour 
    Red
  • Interior brand colour 
    Burgundy
  • Interior type 
    Leather
  • Number of doors 
    2
  • Number of seats 
    4
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Grey
  • Gearbox 
    Manual
  • Performance 
    410 BHP / 416 PS / 306 kW
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

Chassis # R15733

- One of only 27 Prince of Wales specification Volantes built, of which 22 had RHD steering
- Only four owners and less than 15,000 miles from new, and in excellent condition
- Recent mechanical recommissioning and new fabric roof by Aston Martin Works
- One of the most desirable models of the AMV8 range in a wonderful and original colour combination
- Supplied with a one-year Aston Martin warranty

Detailed History
When the Vantage version of the Aston Martin AMV8 Volante arrived in 1986, the body gained dramatically flared wheel arches, sill extensions, and an integrated spoiler in the boot lid. The aggressive styling was not everyone's liking, and one particular client wished for something far more restrained. On his car, His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales requested the Vantage engine but with the standard V8 body styling, save for a few custom alterations. The end result was arguably one of V8 perfection, with slightly flared wheel arches, a subtle front chin spoiler, 16" Ronal Vantage wheels, V8 Saloon mesh grille, bumper over-riders, later specification door mirrors, and no boot lid spoiler. There were some changes to the interior too with an armrest, console trinket box, Nardi steering wheel and gear knob, and sunken console switches. A few other Aston Martin clients wished for a similar specification so the factory agreed to build a limited number of cars to "Prince of Wales" specification, but confusingly, no two PoW specification cars (as Prince of Wales cars are sometimes referred) are the same as each one of the 27 built (22 had RHD steering) was to the chosen specification of the purchaser.

This unusually but wonderfully coloured PoW is still finished in its original colour combination of Rolls-Royce Graphite Grey paint with burgundy Connolly leather interior. The car was specified to PoW specification in June 1988 by its connoisseur purchaser and in addition to the PoW modifications, the car was also specified with a stronger indent spring for reverse gear, straight through exhaust system, burr elm wood veneers, increased lumbar support on the driver’s seat, and no model designation badges. Not wishing to exclude his family from the enjoyment of acquiring a new Aston Martin, a petrol-powered child’s-sized V8 Volante Junior was also ordered in the same graphite grey paint and burgundy leather interior.

After the Volante was completed towards the end of 1988 it was first registered on January 1st 1989 with the attractive personalised number plate 4 AMY, and shortly after receiving the car the owner had a new cover made for the folded roof in black mohair to replace the original burgundy one.

The car returned to the factory for regular maintenance and servicing, as well as the fitting of standard rear exhaust silencers in March 1994 (6,800 miles), and the installation of a lower rear axle ratio and the necessary re-calibration of the speedometer in January 1996 (9,500 miles).

After eleven years of ownership, the Millennium saw a decision to sell the car and it was entered into the Aston Martin auction held at the Newport Pagnell factory in May 2000, at which time the odometer recorded just over 12,500 miles. The car was acquired (along with its distinctive 4 AMY number plate) by a well-known collector and joined their stable of cars, which already included several other Aston Martins. Immediately after purchase Aston Martin Lagonda overhauled the cylinder heads and engineered them to be compatible with unleaded petroleum and also modified the exhaust system for increased sound. During the collector’s seven-year ownership of the car they covered just over five-hundred miles.

Several cars from the collection were sold at auction in May 2007 and the PoW was one of them, and in preparation the number plate was changed to F616 OUD. It was acquired by a resident of Chelsea, London, and they are reported to have gone on to spend over £30,000 with a recognised specialist maintaining and improving the car to a very high standard. After covering only around 1,500 miles during their three years of ownership they sold it at auction in London in October 2010.

This most excellent AMV8 Volante Prince of Wales was acquired at the auction by the most recent owner for their significant internationally based car collection. It remained on display there until being brought to Aston Martin Works in 2018 where it underwent a detailed recommissioning to prepare it for sale, which included the fitting of a new fabric roof.

The Prince of Wales specification AMV8 Vantage Volante models are arguably the most desirable of the entire AMV8 range and they rarely come available for purchase. With less than 15,000 miles from new this incredibly rare car presents beautifully and is now ready for its next custodian.