We have dedicated this page to the Cars produced from 1959 and 2000, the DB4 to the Vantage LeMans. Included is the general specification of these models, production dates, quantities made and many other interesting facts.
We have also included a time line PDF to better illustrate models produced, Heritage Car production
Click on the model you require and you will be forwarded to the model of your choice.
Production dates; October 1958 - June 1963
Tadek Marek's new 3.7 litre, six-cylinder twin overhead camshaft, all alloy engine first ran in 1956 and was raced in the DBR2 in 1957.
Work on the DB4 started in 1956, at the same time as the DB Mark III. The key people involved in the development of the DB4 were General Manager John Wyer, Chassis Designer Harold Beach, and Engine Designer Tadek Marek. Every major component in the DB4 was new. The four-seater body was design by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, using their 'Superleggera' construction in which alloy panels are fixed to a tubular frame built onto a substantial platform chassis.
The new car was shown at the London Motor show in 1958, sharing a stand with the DB Mark III which was to continue in production for almost a year. The DB4 was the first production car capable of 0-100-0 mph in under 30 sec. claiming to reach the 100 mph mark in 21 seconds. A landmark model that put Aston Martin back in competition with other Mediterranean sports car manufacturers.
A DB4 convertible was announced at the London Motor Show in 1961.
By the time the DB4 ended its production run, there were five distinct series.
Series 1: Rear hinged bonnet, heavy duty bumpers fitted after the first fifty cars. Series 2: Front hinged bonnet, bigger brake calipers and enlarged sump. Series 3: Seperate rear lamps on a polished alumninium plate, two bonnet stays and an electric tachometer, along with interior improvements. Series 4: New grille with seven vertical bars, shallower bonnet intake and recessed rear lamps. Series 5: 3.6'' longer wheelbase, higher roof line for more headroom, 15'' wheels and DB4GT style instrument layout.
Specification Price New: Euro 3,976 (Saloon), Euro 4,194 (Convertible)
Engine: DOHC Straight six, 3670 cc, 240 bhp @ 5500 rpm, 240 lbs-ft @4250 rpm; Vantage: 266 bhp @5750 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed manual with optional overdrive or optional Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic
Suspension: Front: Independent with helical coil springs, upper and lower wishbones and ball jointed king pins. Telescopic shock absorbers. Rear: Live Hypoid axle mounted on trailing arms and transversely mounted Watts linkage. Helical coil springs with Large double action lever arm shock absorbers.
Brakes: Dunlop Servo assisted brakes with front and rear discs
Length: 14'9"
Width: 5'6"
Height: 4'4"
Wheelbase: 8'4"
Weight: 1308kg
Top Speed: 140 mph
0-60 mph: 9 sec.
To Top
The DB4GT made its debut at the 1959 London Motor Show. The car was designed by Aston Martin and used the Superleggera construction system - aluminium panels on tubular support frames - produced by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. Although similar to the DB4, the changes added up to a very different motor car.
Five inches were taken out of the original DB4 wheelbase, making the GT easier to handle on a race track and reducing the overall weight; the engine was equipped with a new twin-plug head and 45 DCOE Weber Carburettors. This increased power output to an impressive 302 bhp. The DB4GT was the first of many Aston Martins to use the faired in headlamps.
Offered at the London Motorshow in October 1960, the beautiful DB4GT Zagato at 1,225kg was 45kg lighter than the standard GT mainly due to perspex windows and less luxurious trim. Four cars were lightened further for racing and proved extremely competitive.
Specification Price New: Euro 4534
Engine: DOHC Straight six, 3670 cc; 302 bhp (DB4 GT) 314bhp (DB4GT Zagato) @ 6000 rpm, 240 lbs-ft @ 5000 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed manual DB
Suspension: Front: Independent with helical coil springs, upper and lower wishbones and ball jointed king pins. Telescopic shock absorbers and anti roll bar. Rear: Live Hypoid axle mounted on trailing arms with transversely mounted Watt's linkage, Helical coil springs with Armstrong double action lever arm shock absorbers.
Brakes: Dunlop Servo assisted with front and rear discs, GT and Zagato were upgraded to Girling brakes
Length: 14'4"
Wheelbase: 7'9"
Weight: 1269 kg (2798 Ibs)
Top Speed: 153 mph
0-60 mph: 6.4 sec.
Production: 75 Standard and 19 Zagato bodied cars.
Production Dates: July 1963 - September 1965
Perhaps the most famous Aston Martin because of the specially equipped Silver Birch DB5 that starred in the James Bond film "Goldfinger" and in standard form in "Thunderball". The DB5 made a comeback to the big screen in the 1995 film "GoldenEye", and has had a cameo role in subsequent Bond movies.
Regarded by many as the most beautiful Aston Martin produced, DB5 shares many similar traits to the DB4. However, DB5's most substantial change occurred under the bonnet. The 6 cylinder engine capacity was enlarged to 4 litres by increasing the bore to 96mm. Significant too was the introduction of a full synchromesh ZF 5 speed gearbox. Other chassis changes included the adoption of the Girling disc brakes that had only been used on the DB4GT, along with 15" wheels.
A Convertible was also offered and was available with a steel hard top with an exceptionally large rear window.
Specification Price New: Euro 4,175 (DB5), Euro 4,490 (Convertible)
Engine: dohc Straight 6, 3995 cc, 282 bhp @ 5500 rpm, 288 lbs-ft @ 3850 rpm (Vantage option: 314bhp @ 5750 rpm, torque N/A)
Transmission: 4-speed manual with optional overdrive, ZF 5-speed manual (standard from mid-1964), and optional Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic
Suspension: Front: Independent, with helical coil springs, upper and lower wishbones and ball jointed king pins. Telescopic shock absorbers. Rear: Live Hypoid axle mounted on parallel trailing links and located transversly by Watts linkage. Helical coil springs with Armstrong double acting lever arm shock absorbers.
Brakes: Girling Twin Servo assisted Disc brakes.
Length: 15'0"
Height: 4'4''
Wheelbase: 8'2"
Weight: 1468 kg
Top Speed: 142 mph
0-60 mph: 7.1 sec.
Production: 886 Standard 123 Convertibles 12 Shooting Brakes
Production dates: October 1965 - July 1969
Clearly derived from the DB4 through the DB5, the new model was announced at the London Motor Show in October 1965. The most noticeable styling changes on the DB6 were the Kamm tail rear spoiler, which improved high speed stability, the split front and rear bumpers; a redesigned oil cooler aperture in the front valance, a higher roof (136 cm) and longer wheelbase (258.5 cm), 9.5 cm more than the DB5, giving an overall length of 462 cm. The increase of space in the rear made the DB6 a more practical family proposition.
The DB6 was the first Aston Martin to carry the name Volante for the convertible version - which means �flying� in Italian. The last thirty-seven DB5 chassis were used to build the short-chassis Volantes which were completed between October 1965 and October 1966.
Specification Price New: Euro 4,998 (Saloon)
Engine:
DOHC Straight six, 3995 cc, 282 bhp @ 5500 rpm, 288 lbs-ft @ 3850 rpm (Vantage: 325 bhp @ 5750 rpm)
Transmission: ZF 5 speed manual or Borg-Warner 3 speed automatic
Suspension:
Front: Independent, with helical coil springs, upper and lower wishbones and ball jointed king pins. Telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar
Rear: Live Hypoid axle located with parallel trailing arms and transversely mounted Watts linkage. Helical coil springs with Double acting lever arm shock absorbers.
Brakes: Girling Servo assisted brakes with front & rear discs
Wheelbase: 8'6" (2585 mm)
Weight: 1474 kg (3250 Ibs)
Top Speed: 148 mph
0-60 mph: 6.1 sec.
Production: 1328 Saloon 140 Volante 37 SWB Volante
DBS & DBSV8
DBS (1967-1972) Production Dates: October 1967 - May 1972
Unveiled at Blenheim Palace on September 25, 1967, the William Towns designed DBS was originally only intended for limited production.
In its original guise the DBS retained the six-cylinder, 3,995 cc engine, available in Standard or Vantage form as used in the DB6. However, after an announcement on 27 September, 1969 the DBS was also made available with a V8 engine, with the car being known as the DBSV8 - a four-seat grand touring car, capable of 160 mph. As with the straight six, the design of the new V8 engine was the work of Tadek Marek.
Apart from the change of engine, notable visual differences between the two variants included, on the DBSV8, the use of specially designed 15' light weight alloy wheels (as opposed to the distinctive wire wheels employed on the DBS), with ventilated brake discs for the first time on an Aston Martin production car. A distinguishing feature of both the DBS and DBSV8 are the four quartz iodine headlights set into an alternative version of the iconic Aston Martin grille.
The DBS and the DBSV8 were produced concurrently until May 1972.
DBS
Engine: Six cylinder, 3995cc
Power: 282 bhp @ 5,500 rpm
Top speed: 140 mph
0-60mph: 7.1 seconds
Transmission: ZF five-speed manual gearbox or Borg Warner 3 speed automatic transmission. Limited slip differential.
DBSV8 (in production from April 1970 - May 1972):
Engine: V8, 5340cc
Power: 320bhp @ 5,000 rpm
Top speed: 160 mph
0-60mph: 6.0 seconds
Transmission: ZF five-speed manual gearbox or Chrysler 3 speed automatic transmission. Limited slip differential.
Final drive ratio: 3.73:1 (manual) or 3:54:1 (automatic)
Length: 458 cm
Height: 133cm
Width: 183 cm
Wheelbase: 261 cm
Kerb weight: 1,588 kg (1,727 kg for DBSV8)
Price at launch: Euro 4,473 (1967 � DBS) and Euro 5,281 (1969 � DBSV8)
AMV8 Saloon
Production dates; April 1972 - October 1989
The series 1 was initially built with fuel injection to improve the chances of passing US emission standards. In 1973, series 2 cars were fitted with Weber downdraft 42DCNF Carburettors, which improved torque and complied with the US regulations. It had significant changes visually over its predecessor the DBSV8, including a restyled nose that incorporated a distinctive 2 Headlamp arrangement with a square mesh grille. By the end of Production in 1989, five series of this car had been produced with the final version having Weber fuel injection, again to comply with ever stricter US emission requirements.
Specification
Engine: 90 degree DOHC V8, 5340cc
Transmission: 5 speed ZF manual or 3 speed Chrysler Automatic
Front: Independent wishbone suspension incorporating an anti-roll bar, helical coil springs and large diameter Telescopic shock absorbers.
Rear: De-Dion tube, Watts linkage and trailing links incorporating telescopic shock absorber units. coil springs
Brakes: Four ventilated discs, inboard mounted at the rear. Twin Servo assisted, Independent hydraulic systems, tandem master cylinder and pressure limiting to the rear brakes.
Overall length: 15' 9'' (470cm)
Wheelbase: 8' 6 3/4'' (261cm)
Height: 4' 4'' (133cm)
Width: 6' (183cm)
Weight: 4008lb (1818kg)
Top Speed: 146 mph
0-60 mph 6.6 secs, 0-100 mph 16 secs.
V8 Volante Production dates; June 1978 - 1989
By 1978, few new open top cars were being built anywhere in the world. But persistent demand was demonstrated by the escalation of the price of second-hand DB6 Volantes and the American market was wide open, as by then the American industry had stopped manufacturing convertibles. The V8 Volante announced on 21st June 1978, was therefore assured a warm welcome. Its specification follows the contemporary V8 saloon, but was ahead in having polished burr walnut trim and a re-designed bonnet. The hood was power operated as before and was fully lined for insulation.
Height: 4'6'' (137cm)
Weight: 4100lb (1860kg)
Top Speed: 135 mph
Production dates: March 1977 - 1989
The V8 engine proved to be a reliable and robust unit, and it was clear that there was scope for a significant increase in the power that it could deliver.
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage was announced on 18th February 1977. Revised camshafts, air-box, larger inlet valves and carburettors, new inlet manifolds and different plugs, claimed to provide an increase in power of 40% and 10% more torque. The same ZF manual gearbox as in the V8 Saloon was standard equipment. This was enough to give a top speed of about 170 mph and acceleration from 0-60 mph in 5.2 secs.
The power increase meant that aerodynamic improvements had to be made. This included a spoiler on the tail, a deep spoiler under the nose and blanked off radiator (on most but not all), and blanked off bonnet air scoop. Specification
Engine: DOHC V8, 5340 cc, 380 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Transmission: ZF 5-speed manual
Front: Independent wishbone suspension incorporating an anti-roll bar, coil springs and large diameter Telescopic shock absorbers.
Rear: De-Dion axle located by trailing arms and transversely by Watt's linkage, coil springs and Telescopic shock absorber units.
Brakes: Ventilated Girling discs front and rear, with independent hydraulic systems. Tandem master cylinder with twin servo assistance and rear brake pressure limiting device.
Top Speed: 168 mph
0-60 mph 5.2 secs, 0-100 mph 11.9 secs.
Production dates; 1974, 1977-1989
Designed by William Towns, October 1976 saw Aston Martin reveal a new shape Lagonda with innovative solid state digital instrumentation. With initial production levels at one a week it wasn�t until 1979 that the first car was delivered. In 1982 the Lagonda was cleared for sale in the USA.
In 1984, a Long Wheelbase Tickford Limousine version was announced with a TV in the front and rear.
The Aston Martin Lagonda was updated again in 1987 when William Towns rounded off the edges of the car giving it a fresh new look. Enhancements included a re-designed nose where six smaller lights replace the pop-up headlamps and new 16� alloy wheels. A total of 645 chassis were built before the end of production in 1989. Each car required 2,200 man-hours to build and only about 25 were built per year for the U.S. market.
Engine: DOHC V-8, 280 bhp @ 5000 rpm, torque 360 lbs-ft @ 3000 rpm
Transmission: 3-speed Chrysler Automatic
Front: Independent. Transverse unequal length wishbones, ball jointed swivel pins. Coil springs with telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar.
Rear: De-Dion axle located by trailing arms and transversely by Watt's linkage. Self levelling coil spring and shock absorber units.
Brakes: Front and Rear ventilated, Tandem master cylinder with integral servo unit.
Length: 17' 4'' (528cms)
Heigth: 4' 4" (130 cms)
Width: 5' 8.5" (179cms)
Wheelbase: 9' 7'' (291 cms)
Weight: 4622lb (2096kg)
Top Speed: 143 mph
0-60 mph 8.8 secs, 0-100 mph 20.5 secs.
Production: 645
Production Dates; 1988-1996
The Aston Martin Virage made its debut at the Birmingham Motorshow in 1988, The Virage was designed by John Heffernan and Ken Greeley and was applauded for its styling. It proved to be quieter and more comfortable than the earlier V8's.
The new engine was developed in co-operation with Callaway Engineering and was fitted with new cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder for better breathing and to overcome power losses inevitable with the use of catalytic converters. This was to allow the engine to run on unleaded fuel anywhere, but particularly in America.
In March of 1992, a 6.3 litre version of the Virage was revealed with a top speed of 174 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. Handling and braking were improved and for the first time on an Aston Martin the option of ABS was offered. The chassis was quite a bit different from any previous design although it retained the same basic dimensions for wheelbase and track. But computer aided design (CAD) had enabled the chassis to be refined, lighter yet torsionally stronger. Body changes were minimal with flared wheel arches, revised front spoiler, and an optional rear spoiler.
In 1993, came the Mk II 6.3 litre Virage which had been reworked and improved to create 465 bhp @ 6000 rpm and 460 lbs-ft of torque at 5800 rpm. A ZF 6-speed manual was also available. 0-60 mph stood at 5.2 seconds with the Mk II conversion.
The Volante made its world premiere at the 1990 Birmingham Motor Show, it was a full four seater to recapture that grand touring spirit. The fully powered hood was mohair, the interior hand stitched Connolly hide with polished burr walnut. Utilising the same 5.3 litre V8 used in the Saloon, some cars were also converted to the impressive 6.3 litre specification.
Engine: DOHC V-8, 5340 cc, 330 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 350 lbs-ft @ 3700 rpm (Volante 300 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 350 lbs-ft @ 3700 rpm)
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic and 4 speed automatic on later models.
Front: Independent, traverse unequal-length wishbones, anti-roll bar, coil springs
Rear: De-Dion unit located fore and aft by triangulated radius arms, and transversely by Watt's linkage with co-axial spring samper units.
Brakes: Front and Rear discs, with servo assisted tandem master cylinder. Bosch four channel ABS system.
Length: Saloon; 15' 8" (477 cms) Volante; 15' 5'' (474 cms)
Width: Saloon; 6' 1" (185 cms) Volante; 6' 1'' (185 cms)
Height: Saloon; 4' 4" (132 cms) Volante; 4' 6'' (140 cms)
Wheelbase: Saloon; 8' 7" (261 cms) Volante; 8' 7'' (261 cms)
Weight: Saloon; 4224 lb (1920 kg) Volante; 4409 lb (2000 kg)
Top Speed: 155 mph (250 kph)
0-60 mph: 6.0 sec. (Automatic)
Production figures; 355 Virage 9 LE Virage 234 Virage Volante
Production Dates; October 1992 - April 2000
Launched at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1992, this was the second model to be given the name Vantage in its own right, rather than just an uprated version of a current product. The first was the AM Vantage, the Company Developments version of the DBS.
While this model did bear a passing resemblance to Virage, careful examination would have revealed many differences. The most obvious were external details, the only Virage panels were the door and roof skins.
The frontal aspect had two groups of three headlamps, each behind a heated lens, a deep front chin spoiler with three vents, larger pronounced flared wheel arches and two mesh filled air vents in the panel behind the front wheels giving the car a formidable appearence.
Reaction to the Vantage was predictably enthusiastic, and it generated rave reviews for the company.
In 1999 Aston Martin launched the ultimate Vantage, named the Vantage Le Mans, in celebration of the company's victory at Le Mans in 1959. Only 40 cars were built with a massive 600 bhp and 600 lb-ft of torque, The highest output of any Aston Martin and, indeed, any production car at the time. It was capable of 0-60 in under 4 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph. The visible modifications included a restyled bonnet with twin air intakes, a distinctive blanked off radiator grille, larger side vents and magnesium alloy wheels. The brakes were uprated to 6 pot AP Racing discs and calipers. The interior wood was replaced with brushed metal panels and larger, racing style rev counter.
Engine: All alloy quad cam 32 valve V8 of 5340cc, Twin Eaton superchargers with air to liquid inter coolers. Standard power 550bhp @ 6500rpm, 550Ib.ft @ 4000rpm
Fuel system: Bosch injection with EEC IV management
Gearbox: 6-speed ZF manual
Body: Steel chassis with handcrafted aluminium alloy body panels.
Front; Independent, double wishbones with co-axle springs and anti-roll bar.
Rear; De-Dion axle located by four longitudinal radius arms and transverse Watt's linkage. Co-axle coil spring damper units.
Brakes: Ventilated steel Discs all round with AP Racing four pot aluminium calipers on the front, Servo assisted Tandem brake master cylinder and Bosch ABS.
Length: 5' 7" (475 cms)
Width: 6' 4" (194 cms)
Height: 4' 5" (1330 mm)
Wheelbase: 8' 6'' (261 cms)
Weight: 4387 lb (1990 kg)
Top Speed: 186mph (299km/h)
Acceleration: 0-60mph 4.6 secs
Production figures; 236 Vantage 40 Vantage Le Mans 8 Vantage Volante
Production dates; 1996 - 2000
V8 Coupe 1996 - 2000, Introduced as a development of the original Virage, powered by the 32-valve 5.3 litre V8 with an increased output of 349 bhp. Styling followed that of the more powerful Vantage but no bonnet vents and narrower wheels were the major changes. The V8 Coupe sported new six spoke alloy wheels, a mesh radiator grille and air intakes and auxillary lamps in the front spoiler presenting an elegant but purposeful aerodynamic stance.
Specification Engine:
All alloy quad cam 32 valve V8, 5340cc. producing 349bhp @ 6000rpm, 369 lb.ft @ 4300rpm.
Fuel system: Weber Alpha Plus engine management system with fully catalysed exhaust system.
Transmission: Four speed automatic with electronic Sport and Touring modes coupled to a Limited slip differential, ratio 4.09:1
Suspension: Front - Independent double wishbone, co-axial spring damper units with anti-roll bar. Rear - De Dion axle located by longitudinal radius arms & transverse Watt's linkage, co-axial spring damper units.
Brakes: Ventilated front discs with AP racing four pot calipers, Ventilated rear discs with sliding aluminium calipers.
Dimensions: Height 1320mm, Width 1918mm, Length 4745mm, Wheelbase 2611mm, Kerb weight 1950kg.
LWB Volante 1997 - 2000, Unveiled at the 1997 London Motor Show, the V8 Volante replaced the Virage Volante and mimicked the style and mechanics of the V8 Coupe. This elegant convertible benefited from 200mm extra leg room making it a proper 2+2. The LWB version can be identified by an air vent style indent in the panel in front of the rear wheels. Power was supplied by the 349bhp V8 Engine.
Fuel system: Alpha Plus engine management system with fully catalysed exhaust system.
Dimensions: Height 1380mm, Width 1918mm, Length 4945mm, Wheelbase 2811mm, Kerb weight 2050kg.
Production figures; 101 V8 Coupe 64 LWB Volante