1978 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Molded Fliptail Coupé
- Engine
- 6.0L DOHC V8, four 48mm Weber carburetors, approx 440 bhp at 5,000 rpm
- Colour
- Madagascar Brown over Fawn
A left-hand-drive 1978 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 'Molded Fliptail' Coupé (chassis V8/11929/LCAV), one of only 11 built to US specification in that year. Originally delivered to its first owner in Connecticut, it was subsequently uprated to full European Vantage specification in 1990, then further upgraded by Aston Martin specialists Autosport Designs to six-litre capacity and fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox — making it among the most highly developed examples of the model.
Ownership
- 2021-10-25Auction saleSold US$220,000
- 1979 →Factory deliveryPhilip A. Lawrencefull documentation
Original purchaser, based in Kent, Connecticut; ordered through Aston Martin Lagonda in New Rochelle, New York. Arranged European-spec engine upgrade in 1990 and annotated the owner's handbook to reflect the modifications.
- → 2008-02-01Well-known Aston Martin and Jaguar collectorpartial documentation
Held the car prior to its sale in February 2008; at that time it had recently been serviced and had a documented Autosport Design maintenance history, though those records are no longer present with the vehicle.
- 2008-02-01 →Private saleCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Acquired the car in February 2008; it has been kept on static display since and no active driving has taken place during this ownership.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1990Engine rebuildAston Martin Vintage Racing Services
Engine uprated from US-emissions-specification to full European Vantage tune, with power reportedly exceeding the standard 1978 English-market output by a significant margin.
Work commissioned by the original owner, Philip A. Lawrence. Managing director Robert Clerk confirmed the power increase as 'significant'.
- —ModificationAutosport Designs
Engine capacity enlarged to six litres and a five-speed manual gearbox fitted, replacing the earlier automatic transmission.
Carried out at some point after the 1990 engine upgrade; Autosport Designs of Huntington Station, New York, also maintained a long service history on the car.
- —ServiceAutosport Designs
Full service carried out prior to the February 2008 sale; the car was presented as recently serviced at that time.
Records that accompanied the car at the 2008 purchase are no longer present with the vehicle.
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