VIN: the Brunei Royal Family Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato chassis 20021
History of chassis 20021
Chassis 20021 was one of three V8 Vantage Zagatos supplied new to the Brunei Royal Family, the others having been chassis 20023 (a manual 1986 example finished in Lightning Silver with Blue upholstery) and chassis 20042 (a manual 1987 example also configured in Lightning Silver but this time with Dark Blue upholstery).
As for chassis 20021, it was ordered in arguably the best colour scheme for one of these cars: Vulcan Black with Black upholstery.
Only one other V8 Vantage Zagato was completed in Vulcan Black: chassis 20054. Both of these cars were right-hand drive with Black upholstery, but while 20054 had a manual gearbox, the Brunei-bound example was optioned with an automatic transmission.
In addition to 20021, 20023 and 20042, the Brunei Royal Family also purchased a Zagato-bodied V8 Volante (chassis 30015). These four cars formed part of a near 80-strong fleet ordered from Aston Martin by the Brunei Royals between the mid 1980s and late 1990s. Included were a significant number of coachbuilt specials created at enormous expense.
This lavish expenditure was funded by Brunei’s vast natural gas and oil reserves which, as head of state, absolute monarch and head of government, the Sultan (Hassanal Bolkiah) was able to do as he pleased. Many of the commissions were placed by the Sultan’s brother, Prince Jefri, who between 1986 and 1997 held the role of Brunei’s finance minister and chairman of the country’s investment agency.
Upon arrival in Brunei, chassis 20021 was registered BQ9393.
It has remained part of the Brunei Royal collection ever since.
Text copyright: Supercar Notalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
