1978→1986 Aston Martin V8 Volante

By 1978, few new open cars were being built anywhere in the world. But persistent demand was demonstrated by the escalation of the price of second-hand Aston Martin drop-head coupes and the American market was wide open, as by then the American industry had stopped manufacturing convertibles.

The V8 Volante announced on 21st June 1978, was therefore assured a warm welcome. Its specification follows the contemporary V8 saloon, but was ahead in having polished burr walnut trim and a re-designed bonnet. The hood was power operated as before and was fully lined for noise insulation.

Story by Aston Martin Lagonda Limited

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Series Production Car
production years	1978 – 1986
built at	Newport Pagnell
price Â£/td>	Â£33,864
engine	V8
valvetrain	DOHC 2 Valves per Cyl
displacement	5341 cc / 325.9 in³
bore	100 mm / 3.94 in
stroke	85 mm / 3.35 in
compression	10.2:1
power	227.4 kw / 304.9 bhp @ 5000 rpm
specific output	57.09 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	168.08 bhp per tonne
torque	433.86 nm / 320.0 ft lbs @ 3000 rpm
driven wheels	Front Engine / RWD
front brakes	Drums
rear brakes	Drums
steering	Rack & Pinion
f suspension	Trailing Arms w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension	Live Axle w/Watts Link, Trailing Links, Coil Springs
curb weight	1814 kg / 3999 lbs
wheelbase	2610 mm / 102.8 in
front track	1500 mm / 59.1 in
rear track	1500 mm / 59.1 in
length	4674 mm / 184.0 in
width	1829 mm / 72.0 in
height	1346 mm / 53.0 in
transmission	5-Speed Manual
final drive	3.54:1
top speed	~241 kph / 149.8 mph
0 – 60 mph	~8.9 seconds

Auction Sales History

1988 Aston Martin V8 Volante SCFCV81C2JTL15678 – sold for $165,000 An Ideal Entry into Open Aston Martin Ownership. One of 245 Second-Series V8 Volantes Built Between 1986 and 1989. Low-Mileage Example Impeccably Maintained by Private Collectors. Documented with Service Invoices and Original Sales Documentation. Offered with Owner’s Manual, Tools, and Rare Factory-Original Luggage Set.
Auction Source: The Pebble Beach Auctions 2015 by Gooding and Company

978 Aston Martin V8 Volante V8C0L15015 – sold for $155,100 Rare original US delivery factory demonstrator. Desirable early chrome bumper model. Manual transmission example.Just one owner from new. Original paint and interior, just over 28,000 miles from new.
Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auction 2015 by Bonhams

1989 Aston Martin V8 Volante SCFCV81C8KTL15721 – sold for €156,800 The last model year for Aston Martin’s first and legendary V8. Just 5,900 miles from new. Fully serviced by an Aston Martin dealer for ready usage.
Auction Source: 2014 Monaco by RM Auctions

1985 Aston Martin V8 Volante SCFCV81C6FTL15397 – sold for $137,500 European-Specified Example. “Prince-of-Wales” Body Modifications. Serviced by Marque Specialist Since 1996. Recent Cosmetic Restoration. Desirable Carbureted Induction. Luxurious Open-Top British Muscle Car.
Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auctions by Gooding & Company

1987 Aston Martin V8 Volante – sold for $103,400 An Outstanding Original V8 Volante. Equipped with Rare Five-Speed ZF Gearbox. Approximately 6,800 Miles from New. Elegant Color Combination. Recently Serviced by Aston Martin of New England. Perfect for Open Touring and AMOC Events. One of the Most Collectible Modern Aston Martins.
Auction Source: 2012 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company

1989 ASTON MARTIN V8 VOLANTE –

The car in the sale has had three owners, and was delivered new to the Emir of Dubai. It has covered just 32,000 km, and is fitted with an automatic gearbox and air conditioning. The original upholstery is in excellent condition. The paintwork is also in wonderful condition, showing no defects. The carburetted engine has the signature Aston Martin growl, and the car has both power and comfort at its disposal. A superb example, that has always been looked after, and ready to take to the sunny lanes this summer.

Auction Source: 2012 Sport & GTs au Mans Classic by Artcurial

1986 Aston Martin V8 Volante – sold for $129,250 Regularly Maintained by Marque Experts. Recent Cosmetic Restoration. Ultimate Open-Top Aston Martin V8 Muscle Car. Well-Documented Example. Powerful Vantage-Specification V-8 Engine.
Auction Source: The Amelia Island Auction 2012 by Gooding & Company

1979 Aston Martin V8 Volante –

inished in Burgundy with cream leather interior, this right-hand drive V8 Volante currently displays a total of 39,000 miles on the odometer and is described by the vendor as in generally very good original condition. This relatively low mileage can in part be explained by the fact that the Aston spent some ten years resident in the Channel islands, there being export documentation on file recording that it had previously had been registered ‘FYT 27V’ on the UK mainland and was first registered in Jersey on 14th January 1999. The car remained registered in Jersey until March 2009, latterly in the ownership of a Mrs Meriol Arnold, of St Saviour, who had acquired it in April 2005. Other documentation on file includes invoices from the Newport Pagnell factory totalling over £13,000 for works including a new braking system, suspension, radiator, etc. Said to drive superbly, this beautiful V8 Volante also comes with its original warranty agreement and owner’s instruction manual.

Auction Source: 2011 Automobiles d’exception au Grand Palais by Bonhams

1981 Aston Martin V8 Volante Convertible SCFCV8 –

This Volante was sold new in America to a Tennessee Aston enthusiast and remained with him for most of its life. It was originally supplied as it is now in Canterbury livery with Natural tan leather interior and is offered with a complete record of servicing and maintenance.

Auction Source: 2010 Greenwich Collectors’ Motorcars and Automobilia Auction by Bonhams

1968 Aston Martin V8 Volante

This fuel-injected V8 Volante in the desirable specification with a manual gearbox and left hand drive is attractively finished in British Racing Green with a contrasting magnolia interior and hood. The current owner bought the car for his exclusive collection in 2006 and it has only seen sparing use since. With some 46,000 km on the speedometer, which are believed to be correct, this surely is an interesting proposition for any car enthusiast who wishes to combine luxury motoring with sporting credentials.

Auction Source: Coy’s 2010 Legende et Passion Auction

1988 Aston Martin V8 Volante –

The V8 Volante offered here is one of the final iterations of the V8 series, available in the United States until 1989. In fact, this car is one of only about 65 Aston Martins off all types sold in the US for 1988. With three owners from new, it has accumulated just 11,000 documented miles and was recently treated to a major service. The car drives superbly, just as it should, and given its low mileage and professional maintenance, remains in outstanding cosmetic and mechanical condition. It is finished in Dover White with an Oxblood Connolly leather interior with white piping, black Wilton wool carpeting and luxurious burr walnut trim. A new, correct Everflex convertible top was recently fitted and other notable features include a Vantage front air dam, large auxiliary driving lights and factory BBS wheels with polished outer rim halves. The 5.3-liter fuel-injected V8 is mated to an automatic transmission.

Auction Source: 2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island RM Auction