Factory prototype FEV06
1995 Aston Martin DB7 Volante Convertible
Chassis no. SCFAA3112FEV06
Engine no. AM10100023

It was the company's 1987 acquisition by Ford that ensured the future of Aston Martin, and the former's takeover of Jaguar two years later which made possible the revival of the DB line, dormant since the end of DB6 production in 1970. Jaguar's axed XJ-S replacement - the XJ41 - was deemed more suitable as an 'entry level' Aston Martin, and work on the project commenced towards the end of 1991, responsibility for the final design being given to Tom Walkinshaw's TWR Group. A little under three years after the DB7's debut at Geneva, the planned Volante convertible was launched simultaneously at the Detroit and Los Angeles auto shows in January 1996, the coupé becoming available in the USA at the same time.

Prototype DB7 Volantes known as 'FEVs' (Fully Engineered Vehicles) had been undergoing tests on UK roads from the second half of 1994, the car offered here being the last of the six built. Unusually, some of these prototypes, instead of being destroyed when they had served their purpose, as is usually the case, were retained by TWR Engineering and eventually sold off. Thus, in early 2001, 'FEV06' passed via X K Engineering Ltd to Profile Executive Cars of Warwick, who owned it from March 2001 to November 2002. The next owner, from November 2002 onwards, was Mr John Hartigan of Redditch, who sold the Aston to the current vendor in January 2008. Since 2011 the DB7 has been in Hong Kong (see registration document on file), seeing regular use until around a year ago when the vendor switched to another car. Since then the ECU has developed a fault and thus the Volante, which is currently a non-runner, is sold strictly as viewed.

A manual transmission model finished in Cheviot Red with Ivory Connolly leather interior, 'FEV06' is described as in generally good condition, the ECU fault notwithstanding, with fair paintwork and interior and excellent transmission. The only non-factory modification notified is a Quicksilver sports exhaust system, with walnut steering wheel and titanium pedals the current odometer reading of this desirable soft-top Aston Martin is approximately 54,000 miles. Representing a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine prototype Aston Martin, the car is offered with DVLA Vehicle Record extract and the aforementioned HK registration document.