With Aston Martin celebrating their 100th anniversary, now seems the perfect time to explore one of their classic models, the Aston Martin Virage
Having recently tried to resurrect the name on a short-lived variation of the current DB9, the original model is of much more interest here and is perhaps one of the last of the old-school Astons.
Prior to its launch at the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show, Aston Martin had soldiered-on with developments of the V8 model for almost 20 years, and with the company now in Ford ownership the arrival of the Virage created a huge interest amongst car enthusiasts. And rightly so, as the John Heffernan and Ken Greenley designed car was both aggressive and more aerodynamic and bought a whole new look to the marque. It might still have been based on the underpinnings of the previous model, but the Virage sported a thoroughly re-worked version of the 5340cc V8, complete with new 16 valve cylinder heads that were needed to meet increasingly strict emissions regulations and to overcome the restrictions of the now-standard catalytic convertors. Along with other tweaks these enabled the motor to produce a healthy 330bhp, enough to shove the Aston to 60mph in 6.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 157mph. Not bad for a nigh-on two tonne car, even if it did mean that economy struggled around the mid-teens in normal use, and could easily head for single figures if provoked. Transmissions at launch were 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic with cars after 1993 getting a smoother 4-speed auto box. Manuals are getting rare now though as many buyers preferred the more relaxed nature of the self-shifter.
But no one bought a Virage for its fuel-sipping qualities. Instead what you got was a gorgeous looking coupe that made a wonderful noise and that could be enjoyed from a cabin crafted from the finest materials (though some did baulk at the variety of Ford, GM, and Audi bits that were liberally scattered around). And from 1990, you could combine everything the Virage had to offer with a bit of fresh air by opting for the drop-top Volante variant. But for those after the ultimate example a visit to the Aston Martin Works Service was required where, in exchange for a large wad of cash, they would shoehorn a 6.3 litre engine with 500bhp under the bonnet. Nice.
Buying One
The Virage clearly caught the imagination of Aston fans, and if you’d had a big enough bank balance you’d have been in good company joining owners such as Rowan Atkinson, Prince Charles, and Chris Eubank amongst others. And with a new generation of buyers falling for its charms, it is in demand on the used market where prices range from £30,000 to £60,000. But as with many such cars, there is no such thing as a cheap Virage and taking the plunge with an un-cared for example could well lead to some eye-watering bills! A car in need of an engine re-build or attention to the bodywork or cabin will empty your bank account at an alarming rate, so finding one that has been cherished and that comes with a thick history file is an absolute must. Getting a potential purchase checked over by a marque expert will be money well spent.
Verdict
If it’s British charm and engineering you’re after then few cars fit the bill like an Aston Martin, and the Virage is a wonderful example of the breed. Not everyone fell in love with the styling but if a combination of performance and brutish looks float your boat, then you’re unlikely to be disappointed. Just make sure you buy a good one…