Guide price: £190000 - £240000. <p> </p><ul><li> Delivered new to Sir Elton John in May 1997 </li><li> Rare, six-speed manual gearbox, V8 Vantage V550. (550bhp/550lbs.ft)</li><li> Serviced by Aston Martin Works in 2017. Now showing just 8,663 miles on the odometer </li><li>Continent-crossing pace in armchair comfort</li><li>A rare opportunity to own one of the last coach-built Aston Martins (1 of 239)</li></ul><p>The wide-bodied 6.3-litre V8 had demonstrated an appetite for a faster Virage and in 1993 the full house Vantage version arrived. Whilst the V8 Vantage V550 did bear some resemblance to the Virage, closer examination would reveal many differences - most obvious of which are the deep front spoiler, its lower stance and the flared wheel arches and, in fact, only the roof and doors were common to both cars. The 550 has massive presence and even when parked its muscular flanks and huge tyres give it a fearsome appearance. These rare and powerful cars were hand built at the factory at Newport Pagnell and were equipped with a 5.3L V8 engine sporting twin Eaton superchargers that would look more at home on a lorry. The power output was around 550 bhp and torque was equally impressive at 550 ft/lbs and, at the time, this was the most powerful production engine in the world. To handle this surfeit of 'grunt', Aston fitted a modified ZF transmission from the Chevrolet Corvette. Top speed was 191 mph, with a 0-60mph time of just 4.6 seconds an astonishing feat for such a large car. It is thought that just 240 standard V550 Vantages were built for all markets, making them hugely collectable today.</p><p>We are extremely pleased to offer this particular UK-supplied, right-hand drive Aston Martin V8 Vantage V550, which was delivered new by H.W.M Ltd. in Surrey on 13th May 1997 to Sir Elton John. Finished in Black with a black leather interior, chassis #70174 is a manual gearbox example, making it hugely desirable and a joy to drive. Open the driver's door to the cabin and that ‘new car' smell still lingers, with acres of polished figured Walnut and cashmere-soft leather greeting passengers, along with a Motorola phone and, as you might expect, an uprated audio system.</p><p>This car has been thoroughly maintained throughout, with the service book showing 19 stamps in total, with invoices for maintenance in 2015 at H.A. Fox Ltd, considerable expenditure at respected marque specialist, Rikki Cann in 2016 and a full service and other work totalling more than £7,600 in 2017.</p><p>Rarely do cars of this calibre come to market and this example is supplied with a UK V5c, its original service books and invoices, and an MOT valid until 16th. January 2019. Showing a mere 8,663 miles on the odometer, this beautiful car has clearly been maintained regardless of expense and represents a rare opportunity to own one of the last coach-built Aston Martins.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>