1978 Aston Martin V8 'Canadian Vantage'
- Engine
- 6.0L V8 big-bore conversion, Vantage-spec components, exceeds factory Vantage output
- Colour
- Burgundy ('Royal Cherry')
A 1978 Aston Martin V8 built to an unusual 'Canadian Vantage' specification — one of only eight such cars featuring Vantage-style bodywork (front air dam, bonnet bulge, rear spoiler) but European Stage 1 engines — this example is one of four with manual transmission. Delivered new through Grand Touring Automobiles in Toronto, it later received a sympathetic restoration and was subsequently upgraded to six-litre big-bore specification using authentic Vantage components, substantially increasing output beyond factory Vantage levels.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$308,000
- 1978 →Private saleFirst customer in Vancouver, British Columbiapartial documentation
Original retail buyer based in Vancouver; no further details given about tenure length or disposition.
- 1978-03-01 → 1978Factory deliveryGrand Touring Automobiles (Toronto dealer, George Minden proprietor)partial documentation
Toronto dealership owned by Canadian entrepreneur George Minden, who held a partnership stake in Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. UK; served as the delivery point for this Canadian-market car.
- 1999 →Acquisition unknownKean Rogerspartial documentation
V8 Vantage enthusiast and author who refinished the car in Royal Cherry burgundy, undertook a sympathetic mechanical restoration including brakes, clutch, water pump, and carburetors, and refreshed the interior while retaining original fittings where possible.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSecond Canadian owner based in Palm Desert, Californiapartial documentation
Canadian national who kept the vehicle at a California desert residence; precise ownership dates not provided.
- Date unknownPrivate saleEast Coast Aston Martin collectorpartial documentation
Purchased from Rogers; had the engine rebuilt and converted to six-litre specification in April 2005, and maintained the car through Autosport Designs of Huntington Station, New York.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1999Restoration
Sympathetic restoration encompassing a full brake system overhaul, replacement clutch assembly, rebuilt water pump, carburettor rebuild, re-padding of the leather seats, new Wilton carpets, and a new wool headliner. Repainted in Royal Cherry burgundy using an epoxy rust-preventative primer. Chassis inspected and confirmed free of corrosion.
Work carried out under the supervision of owner Kean Rogers.
- 2005Engine rebuildAston Engineering
Engine rebuilt and converted to six-litre big-bore specification during an annual service, using genuine Vantage components sourced from UK specialists, resulting in power and torque outputs exceeding factory Vantage figures.
Work performed in April 2005; Aston Engineering supplied the authentic Vantage displacement components from the UK.
- —ServiceAutosport Designs
Regular ongoing servicing and mechanical maintenance carried out over approximately the last decade prior to the auction listing.
Workshop located in Huntington Station, New York.
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