Since the Vantage’s introduction in 1977 customers had requested an open version. Aston  officially refused to build such a car due to concerns with safety at high speeds. Vantage state of tune was only fitted by the factory to the V8 Vantage coupe until 1986 when the Vantage Volante was officially released.  Before this time no officially certified Volantes with Vantage engines left the factory with full type approval.  However 6 cars did leave the factory unofficially for special customers in the Middle East, Asia and South Africa. 

The first of these cars was completed in February 1981.  Chassis number V8COL15231 was built to Middle East specification with a Vantage engine and automatic gearbox.  The second car was also an automatic, chassis number V8COR15284, built for the Sultan of Brunei. Completed in August of 1982 it was fitted with a Vantage type front airdam.

The first manual V8 Volante Vantage V8COR15307

The next car was the first manual Volante, completed April 1983 and exported to South Africa.  It featured an engine destined to become the "X pack" specification within the factory in 1986.  This included a large bore airbox and large bore exhaust system, special cams and pistons, and the Vantage type front airdam.  This car's chassis number is V8COR15307.  The second manual car was built to UK Vantage specification in June of 1984.  V8COR15353 also featured the Vantage front airdam and was exported to South Africa.

Chassis number V8COR15363 was the forerunner to the Vantage Volante, featuring similar body work, i.e. rear spoiler to boot lid and rear wings, front and rear wings flared to blend in with extended lower sills, and Vantage front airdam.  The engine was also of the higher pre "X Pack " tune with an automatic gearbox.  The last of the Vantage engined Volantes was completed in June of 1985.  Chassis number V8VOL15411 had the Vantage airdam and grille blanking plate, and was also automatic but to Middle East Vantage specification.

The first V8 Vantage Volante V8COR15506

It was to be 1986 before the Vantage Volante came to fruition. Its shape was inspired by V8COR15363, a car built for the Brunei Royal family. After much discussion between engineering and marketing the final shape was derived. No wind tunnel testing was involved so engineering made calculations and added 15% for an extra safety margin. Hence the overly be-spoilered and fendered Vantage Volante was born. It used the same mechanicals as the V8 Vantage and benefited from lessons learnt in Zagato development. By the time production ceased 167 Vantage Volantes were built, the first in 1986, the last in 1989, beginning at chassis number V8CHR15506 and ending at V8VKL15847.

V8 Vantage Volante V8VJR15637 with P.o.W. spec. bodywork

Year

Model

Engine

Body

Built

RHD

LHD

Manual

Auto

1981-1985

AM V8 VOLANTE

V580/…../V

Volante

6

4

2

2

4

Vantage Volante

109

76

33

79

30

Cosmetic

58

-

58

11

47