One to Buy: 1 of 1 in RHD with Automatic 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante 'Prince of Wales' V580X
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Although Aston Martin had quietly built around half a dozen open top examples of its formidable V8 Vantage for VIP clients during the first half of the 1980s, such a machine was not officially added to the company’s model line up until late 1986.
Based on the awesome V580X platform introduced at the beginning of ‘86, the V8 Vantage Volante came with a number of cosmetic features not seen on the Coupe to include more aggressive front and rear spoilers, deep side skirts and bigger wheelarch flares. However, the new look was not to everybody’s taste...
One customer to have eschewed the Vantage Volante’s brawny features was Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son, the Prince of Wales, who requested the combination of Vantage mechanicals with the kind of more discrete coachwork found on the regular V8 Volante.
Obligingly, Aston Martin created just such a car and what became known as the ‘Prince of Wales’ specification was born. 26 further copies were subsequently built with each adding the Vantage hood and subtly flared arches to an otherwise standard V8 Volante body. Inside, features like recessed centre console switchgear, a storage bin instead of an ashtray, a more substantial central armrest with increased load capacity and a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel were typically fitted.
Uniquely, this particular V8 Vantage Volante to Prince of Wales trim (chassis 15834) was specified with automatic transmission (the only one of 22 right-hand drive examples equipped as such). Configured in Windsor Blue with Magnolia hide, Navy Blue piping, Beige carpet and a Navy Blue roof, the car was supplied to its first owner, Stuart Hodgson, via Aston Martin Sales in Knightsbridge during December 1989.
Currently on offer at the Nicholas Mee showroom in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, chassis 15834 has covered 35,500 miles and is said to be in excellent condition throughout. The car is accompanied by a comprehensive history file that includes a copy of the manufacturers’ build record, the original book pack and factory tool kit. Like every car offered by Nicholas Mee & Co., 15834 will be supplied with an up-to-date service and twelve month warranty.
