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.
Reprinted below is Autosport Designs’ description:
Mercury Silver with Phantom Grey upholstery
17,000 miles from new
Aston Martin Works Service 6-Speed manual
2+0 Seating
$175,000
This Vanquish has been converted by a specialist team at Aston Martin Works Service. The existing, original paddle shift type F1 transmission has been converted to 6-speed manual. These specialists are the same gentlemen who produced the Vanquish model when new at the Works in Newport Pagnell. This conversion truly brings supercar status to the Vanquish, the last proper old school Aston produced at Newport Pagnell prior to the end of Vanquish production.
Factory options include: Black Brake Calipers, Smokers kit, Delete roof Aerial, body colored Door Release, Fire Extinguisher, Heated Front Seats, Power Park Mirrors, Rear Parking Distance Sensors, Homelink, Satellite Navigation, Two Plus Zero Seating, Quilted Headlining, Tire pressure monitoring system, Motorola mobile phone, and Linn 6-speaker stereo system.
Introduced in Autumn of 2004, the Vanquish S is the fastest road going Aston Martin ever and is without a doubt the current flagship of the Aston Martin range.
The power output is from a 6.0 liter, fuel injected, dual overhead camshaft, V-12 engine producing 520 bhp @ 6500 rpm and 425 lb. ft. of torque @ 5000 rpm. Performance is 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 200 mph. To achieve the magical 200, the V12 engine enhancements include new cylinder heads with fully machined inlet ports and combustion chambers to improve airflow, revised engine mapping and new fuel injectors.
Exterior changes from the previous Vanquish model include a splitter at the front to improve aerodynamic stability, a more rounded and open grille for better cooling and a redesigned boot lid to give better downforce. The suspension, brakes and steering come from the Sport Dynamic package as standard this previously offered only as an option.
This Vanquish S Works Service 6-speed manual is one of only five currently known to have been converted in North America, This Vanquish is in as new condition, it is complete with all books, tools and records.
