If you are a true petrolhead, there is something almost mythic about a V12 engine. The V12 is associated with WWII fighter planes, race cars, and some of the most desirable classic car marques and models ever created.
V12 engines power most Lamborghini models, practically every Ferrari until the introduction of the Dino, and years of F1 cars.
There is a major drawback to V12-powered cars in that they tend to be among the world’s costliest cars. All of those pistons come at a price, and that price is one where the first number is followed by quite a few zeros before the decimal point arrives.
Happily, there is one epic GT car that is powered by a V12, is universally heralded as one of the world’s most-beautiful car designs, and is built by a storied brand. It is also, at least for now, amazingly affordable.
If your first thought was Jaguar XJS, that’s not it; I have something far more special in mind: the 2000 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage coupe that is the Pick of the Day.
This Aston has a lot going for it. The Vantage is all original car that has only covered 19,105 miles from new, according to the Rockville, Maryland, dealer advertising the car on ClassicCars.com.
Most notably, this car has a 5-speed manual transmission, a rarity that completely transforms the car compared with a DB7 with automatic.
The DB7 was designed by the great Ian Callum, who also designed the Aston Martin Vanquish, Vantage and DB9 before moving to Jaguar to create the new XK, XJ, XF and F-Type, among others.
When launched in 1996, the design received rave reviews from every media outlet in the world. Those first DB7 cars were powered by a supercharged inline-6, and while fast, they lacked a certain drama in the delivery of performance.
All this changed for 2000 with the introduction of the V12-powered Vantage model, which packs 420 horsepower. Finally, the DB7 was a full-blown supercar with the might to match its breathtaking styling.
This Vantage is finished in striking Aston Martin Racing Green, with a two-tone Cream Truffle full-leather interior, green carpeting and carbon fiber-trim.
The car is also loaded up with factory options, the seller states, including power one-touch windows, power mirrors and locks, factory keyless entry and alarm system. The air conditioning blows ice-cold, the seller adds (This is important because AC repair costs on these cars can run as high as five grand).
The car still wears its 18-inch factory alloys (many owners changed them out for lesser-quality aftermarket wheels and sold the Aston factory wheels on eBay). This car also includes a folder full of maintenance receipts, which will add to its value as it continues to appreciate.
In 2000, the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage coupe had an MSRP of more than $160,000, but you can buy this one today for only $43,990.
This is a great value on a true future classic in what is possibly the most desirable paint color. Cars like this with low miles and service records are the ones that in a few years will be the most valuable.
There is nothing like driving an Aston Martin, and it is next to impossible to get one any cheaper than this. Especially one with the very desirable V12 engine paired with a manual transmission.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day
