1990 Aston Martin Virage

This stunning launch year British Racing Green (BRG) Virage is offered by its French vendor. The quality outer appearance is completed by an appealing tan leather interior with green piping. A gorgeous, fluted headlining mirrors a similar design found on the hide seats. Extensive wood veneer on the dashboard and door cards confirm this GT as built in the era that straddles the classic and modern. 

As a hand-built luxury coupe in the old-school mould, this Virage’s top-end cabin comfort is only matched by its monumental performance. Electric heated memory seats combine with an on-board computer and Philips cassette player that offer peak interior playthings for the early 1990s.

Offered from long-term ownership, this story of this lovely example is thus:

“I purchased this Aston Martin Virage in June 2009 through my company. It is one of 365 produced between 1988 and 1996. I kept this Aston Martin on behalf of my company until June 2012, when I ceased trading. In September 2017, I purchased this Aston Martin Virage on a personal basis. Between 2012 and 2017, this car was kept under cover.

The car has always been driven in dry weather and is parked in an enclosed garage. It is driven regularly, at least once a month.

The bodywork and interior are in good condition.

What remains to be done:

- Air conditioning needs re-gassing

- The heater doesn’t work

- The Gearbox Synchromesh hums in 1st and 2nd Gear

- The gears don't stick, but the clutch release bearing needs changing

- The driver's seat electronic adjustment doesn’t work (probably poor contact between the connections).'

Offered with several invoices in current ownership and a valid Controle Technique until December 2025, this example is sure to delight its next lucky owner.

Products from few marques suit green paint quite as well as Aston Martins. The BRG hue that’s covering this Virage looks to be in great shape. Lovely deep shine and uniform panel fit can be found throughout. Minimal marks and imperfections are mostly limited to the usual stone chips on the front end. Of note, there is a significant invoice from Carosserie Planchement in 2018 to make paint corrections, which has helped maintain the paint.

There’s a crack to the lower front valance, next to the intercooler intake and another to the offside rear light, thankfully these are shared with the second-generation Volkswagen Scirocco, so replacements are out there. While we’re at the rear, we also noticed a few missing parts inside the rear badge.

The wheels, in seemingly excellent condition, are shod in Avon Turbospeed tyres (fitted in 2016)  and all glass looks clear and crack-free. Usual bodywork weak spots seem solid and looking good with arches and sills appearing neat and crisp.

Opening the doors, a welcoming mix of green carpet, warm tan leather and wood veneer all prove irresistible. Looking in the door shuts, we did see a little corrosion at the base of both B pillars, a little more pronounced on the offside, though seems to be at an early stage. As we mentioned already, the seat reclining levers on the front seats both face inside, with the outer lever areas missing their handles.

The hide throughout looks to be in superb condition, with just light patina cracks to the outer bolster of the driver’s the only age-related giveaways. The dashboard top, also covered in stitched green leather, looks excellent. The suede-like headlining also seems to be in fine order, as does the beautifully elegant three-spoke leather-covered steering wheel. 

The dogleg pattern is just visible on top of the gear knob and there’s an equal level of mild wear to the handbrake lever. These minor imperfections are just that, and none detracts from the excellent impression this Aston’s cabin makes.

We weren’t afforded a proper look underneath this sublime Aston Martin so we can’t really comment with any authority on its condition. However, we did get a good look at the engine bay. 

The area ensconcing that magnificent V8 engine looks a bit dusty, but it seems dry and leak-free. There’s a plaque proudly proclaiming that the engine was built by David Nurney, a chassis plate where you’d expect to find it on the inner wheel arch, and various instructional and safety stickers around the engine bay, likely applied at Newport Pagnell. 

There’s also a plastic bagged service note on the brake booster, that dates work carried out to 2022. Aside from the under-bonnet soundproofing that’s mostly coming away, there’s not a lot more to report.

The car is offered with a Carte Grise and valid recent Controle Technique, a magazine feature on the Virage, an Aston Martin Bookpack and maintenance invoices. There are 2 sets of keys.

Invoices for work include:

• 2002 – British Motors, Monaco: New Fuel Pump, Flywheel, Full Engine and Gearbox Service - €1995.92
• 2016 – AMD Automobiles – 4x New Avon Tyres, Belts Replaced - €1995.92
• 2017 – AMD Automobiles – New Water Pump and Sundry Items - €1700.09
• 2018 – Carosserie Planchement – Paintwork and Glass Corrections - €3803
• 2019 – AMD Automobiles – Minor Sundry Items - €66
• 2022 – AMD Automobiles – Oil Service - €207.98
• 2022 – AMD Automobiles – New Battery Fitted - €97.81
• 2023 – AMD Automobiles – New Boot Struts, Clutch Cylinder and Bleeding of Clutch System - €519.42

The Virage might be Newport Pagnell to the bone, but that doesn’t mean it’s the last ‘proper’ Aston Martin. This car uses plenty of parts from mass market makers, which is usually a complaint levelled at its V8 Vantage and DB9 successors. The important part however - the engine - saw plenty of development and represented a fantastic way to send out the old V8 in style.

With performance that put it on a par with period Porsche Turbos and luxury that made Bentley and BMW owners blush, there’s an awful lot to love about the Aston Martin Virage. The condition of this example, its long-term owner and equivalent of a French MoT pass until December 2025, surely make it hard to match. We estimate that it will sell for €50,000 - €60,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Murs-Erigne, France. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.