VIN: Victor Gauntlett's Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato chassis 20046
History of chassis 20046
Chassis 20046 was the second of five Zagato-bodied V8 Vantages painted Hunter Green. Uniquely, it was the only one to come with Dark Red leather upholstery.
The right-hand drive car was ordered by Aston Martin Chairman, Victor Gauntlett.
Following stints at BP and Total, Gauntlett established Pace Petroleum in 1972. The company quickly became one of Britain’s biggest independent petrol suppliers which enabled Gauntlett to indulge his passion for Bentleys and Aston Martins.
In 1980, Gauntlett purchased a 10% stake in Aston Martin. The next year he acquired a 25% stake in the company and took on the role as Executive Chairman.
Over the next few years, Gauntlett oversaw a revival of Aston Martin’s fortunes and nursed the company back to rude health.
Between 1983 and 1986, Gauntlett sold Pace Petroleum to the Kuwaiti Investment Authority. Around this time, Gauntlett also sold his stake in Aston Martin to Peter Livanos but remained as the company’s Chairman until 1991 when these photographs were taken at the Silverstone Historic Festival. By this time, chassis 20046 had been upgraded to 6.3-litre specification with 450bhp.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
