One to Buy: Works Service Manual 2005 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S
At the Paris Motor Show in September 2004 Aston Martin unveiled an enhanced version of the much-admired V12 Vanquish launched three-and-a-half years earlier.
Most notably equipped with a torquier and more powerful 520bhp engine (up from 460bhp), the Vanquish S also came with uprated brakes and suspensions thanks to the Aston Martin Sports Dynamic Pack that was now fitted as standard.
Cosmetically, a handful of minor tweaks were made to the Ian Callum-designed original, they included a new body coloured chin spoiler and redesigned trunk lid that added a little extra downforce and improved stability.
1086 examples of the V12 Vanquish S had been built by the time production was discontinued in July 2007. This point marked the end of car building at Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell factory that had been in operation since 1955.
Around a year before production stopped, Aston Martin announced it would offer a six-speed manual conversion for the Vanquish from their Works Service department. A Tremec T-56 gearbox replaced the original Magnetti Marelli F1-style semi-automatic arrangement which also necessitated installation of a modified transmission tunnel and a steering wheel without paddle shifters.
Currently on offer with Autosport Designs in Huntington Station, New York, is a V12 Vanquish S that has undergone this extremely desirable conversion.
Configured in Mercury Silver with monotone Phantom Grey upholstery, this particular machine was also specified with the highly sought after 2+0 seating configuration in addition to the likes of black brake calipers, heated front seats and satellite navigation.
Presented in as-new condition having covered just 17,000 miles from new, this manual transmission V12 Vanquish S appears to represent great value in the current marketplace.
