1978 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Molded Fliptail (Cosmetic Vantage)

V8/11901/LCAVroadUnited Kingdom

Engine: V8, uprated to ~400 bhp European specification by Aston Engineering
Colour: Storm Red

Chassis 11901 is a 1978-specification Aston Martin V8 Vantage 'Cosmetic' model, one of only 11 built to U.S. emissions requirements with a low-compression, lead-free engine. It belongs to the desirable integrated 'Molded Fliptail' body variant and retains its original numbers-matching engine, subsequently uprated to full European 400 hp specification by Aston Engineering. Finished in Storm Red over a Natural interior, the car is reported to have had just three owners from new.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Estimate US$300,000 – US$350,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
Date unknownFactory delivery
First owner (identity unknown)
partial documentation
One of three total owners since new; maintained the car with attention to originality.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Second owner (identity unknown)
partial documentation
Continued careful stewardship; originality preserved throughout this tenure.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Third owner (current consignor, identity unknown)
partial documentation
Had the engine upgraded to European-spec output by Aston Engineering and commissioned a comprehensive mechanical overhaul including clutch, suspension, and brakes.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—Modification
Aston Engineering
Original numbers-matching engine uprated from low-compression U.S. specification to full European 400 hp output, bringing performance in line with a standard factory V8 Vantage.
—
Service
Comprehensive engine-out detailing combined with a full mechanical service; new clutch, suspension components, and braking system installed.
Described as recent work at time of cataloguing.

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