This is not the first generation Aston Martin Vanquish! Take a close look at the bodywork, as there are subtle differences. Designed by top designer Ian Callum, this Project Vantage was shown at the 1998 Detroit auto show, three years before the Vanquish’s debut. And it’s on sale now…
The press release about the Project Vantage in 1998 contains a funny statement from then Aston Martin CEO Bob Dover. “We have no plans to put this technologically advanced grand tourer into production, but it has been designed to be hand-built for individual buyers, using the traditional craftsmanship that Aston Martin is so famous for.”
Aston Martin Vanquish and Project Vantage differ in detail
However, the response to the prototype was so overwhelmingly enthusiastic that the British carmaker decided to start series production. The final Aston Martin Vanquish looked amazingly like the Project Vantage. It differs only in detail: with a slightly different styled rear (exhausts, taillights), modified mirrors and larger front fog lamps. The interior of the Vanquish bears little resemblance to that of the Project Vantage.
A 6.0-litre V12 from two Ford V6s together
Developed in conjunction with Ford Advanced Vehicle Technology, the study was powered by a new 450 hp 6.0-litre V12 (two Ford V6s together). Aston Martin exaggerated the performance figures quite a bit, because a sprint time of 4.0 seconds to 100 km/h did not even reach the later Vanquish S (2004 – 2007). Like the latter, the Project Vantage had a controversial transmission: a slow robotic manual gearbox with paddles behind the wheel.
You can buy the original study model for almost 1.5 million euros
Aston Martin had the Project Vantage auctioned by Bonhams in 2016. The fully working prototype had been largely neglected and could only be driven at walking pace. It is now for sale at Classicmobilia in Milton Keynes, England. We do not know whether it has been restored in the meantime, but the asking price is certainly not tender. Classicmobilia reportedly wants £1.25 million for the Project Vantage. In other words, almost 1.5 million euros.
Spot the Difference: Project Vantage – Vanquish
