2004 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante

Finished in Tungsten Silver with a Parchment leather and burr walnut interior, ‘V12 XJB’ is a nigh-on flawless late-production Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante with fewer than 56,000 miles on the clock.

And its cosmetic condition – the seller tells us that “with only minimal preparation it achieved a third place in AMOC concours competitions” – is backed up with a sixteen-stamp main dealer service history that includes much recent expenditure.

Professionally valeted before being offered for sale, it also sports a long and advisory-free MoT, making this a DB7 you can buy with your head AND your heart.

In addition to being such a celebrated shape, this DB7’s panels are also perfectly aligned and in an unblemished condition. Free of dents, dinks, and even minor damage, they also sport a full suite of very good shutlines.

As for the paintwork, this example demonstrates why Tungsten Silver is a classic colour for an Aston Martin – and it’s not just because of *that* man…

For it makes it look like the DB7 has been carved out of a solid ingot of aluminium – and given its perfect proportions, few other sportscars would make a better 1:1 scale sculpture.

It also means that there is nothing for the new owner to do other than to keep it polished, which might be bad news for inveterate tinkerers but good news for everyone else.

It’s the same story for the 19-inch alloy wheels, which look free of scuffs, scrapes, and other damage. A factory option, their nine-spoke design also allows you to admire the red brake calipers that lurk behind them.

And the good news continues because the tyres aren’t only matching Michelin Sport 4s, they’re matching Michelin Sport 4s that were only fitted in July of this year and so only have around a thousand miles under their belt.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

As for the rest, you could probably write the next few paragraphs yourself because the black folding roof deploys at the press of a button, after which the furled roof can be tucked away neatly beneath a very good black leather cover.

When it is unfurled you get to appreciate both Aston’s engineering prowess in designing such a weathertight soft-top and the care with which the car’s previous owners have maintained it.

The rear glass screen has a demister element too, making this a true all-season convertible grand tourer.

The badges, light lenses, tailpipes, window glass, and windscreen are also excellent, and the correct Aston Martin stainless-steel mesh grill has been fitted.

UPDATE: Attention all tinkerers: There is a job for you after all because we’ve just noticed the offside numberplate mounting is missing its white cap.

The Parchment hide cabin is every bit as special as the coachwork. Now two decades old, its wood ‘n’ leather design links Aston’s heritage models with the cars that were yet to come, acknowledging the need to appeal to both existing customers and younger generations.

And this one has also been beautifully curated.

Sure, there are creases to the outer edge of the driver’s seat but they’re very light and barely noticeable. There is certainly nothing as vulgar as colour loss, wear, or damage.

They’re heated and electrically adjustable and, as you’d expect given the somewhat limited legroom, those in the rear are in an even better condition.

The door cards have been trimmed in the same materials and colours as the seats, and they introduce walnut burr veneer into the equation. This, like the rest of the veneer throughout the cabin, is glossy and shiny and free of even the lightest patination or signs of aging.

The carpets are excellent too, as is the freshly valeted headlining. Ditto the switches, instruments, and the leather-covered dashboard; you wouldn’t mistake it for a brand-new model but if we were to tell you it was two years old rather than twenty, we think you’d believe us.

Other notable features include a removeable wind deflector for ruffle-free motoring with the roof down, and this also comes with a security key to deter the light-fingered.

Rear parking sensors have also been fitted, along with a hard-wired Garmin sat-nav.

The winning bidder will also take possession of the cupholder you see photographed on the passenger seat.

This is a bespoke item commissioned by the previous owner to address the DB7’s one shortcoming, which is a lack of places to put your morning cup of coffee.

A genuine one-off crafted to match the rest of the cabin, we shudder to think how much it must have cost. (Actually, the cost is probably irrelevant because the seller says it’s “marvellous”.)

The boot is as well presented as everything else and plays host to a Becker Silverstone CD-multichanger that plays to an Aston Martin-branded Becker Mexico headunit. There’s a warning triangle in there too, plus the tool kit.

We have been assured that “all the electrical switches, the rear parking sensors, the Garmin sat-nav, and the hood mechanism are all working perfectly.”

The DB7’s service record is impressive, and includes the following recent work:

• 12.05.2017 and 39,882 miles – service by Chiltern Aston plus other work to a cost of £2,200
• 17.08.2018 and 43,382 miles – service by Chiltern Aston
• 29.06.2020 and 47,100 miles – service by Chiltern Aston including fresh brake fluid
• 17.03.2022 and 50,343 miles – service by Chiltern Aston including much other work at a total cost of £2,600
• 02.03.2023 and 54,264 miles – oil service by Chiltern Aston plus attention to the air-conditioning and coolant systems at a cost of £5,000
• 05.08.2024 and 54,953 miles – service by Chiltern Aston including fresh brake fluid

All-in-all we are told that more than £22,000 has been spent on servicing over the years, with Chiltern Aston looking after the car for the past sixteen years, contributing to the sixteen stamps in the service history book.

As you can see, their latest invoice also details the items it considers may need attention.

Potential bidders might like to use this, in conjunction with the advisory-free MoT and the numerous invoices for work by Chiltern Aston in the file, as a guide to the car’s condition if they’re unable to come and inspect it in person.

A ”joy to drive” according to its Aston Martin-enthusiast owner, the video shows it starting cleanly before settling into a good idle with healthy oil pressure and a good charge to the battery.

It also revs beautifully with a magnificent exhaust note from the sports exhaust system.

The mechanical components look every bit as good as they perform. The engine is not only clean but, by a wonderful act of serendipity, the colour of the inlet manifolds echoes the palette used in the cabin.

The underside is very good with only the usual light surface rust here and there on some of the suspension components and the like: We’re told “the underside of the car has been steam cleaned, coated, and treated at least four times”, so its condition isn’t too much of a surprise.

The DB7’s MoT certificate, which is valid until August 2025, was issued with no advisories.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and the DB7 comes with two sets of keys, the book pack and wallet, and a folder full of invoices for servicing and repairs, plus a wad of expired MoT certificates.

Finished in what many consider to be the very best colour of them all, this DB7 Vantage Volante is being offered with a very good service history and a flawless and long MoT certificate.

Only for sale because the seller has too many Aston Martins in his collection, it’s also being offered with a modest estimate of between £19,000 and £23,000.

Why so low? Largely because we’re heading into winter and the lily-livered wannabes think the autumn is the wrong time to buy a convertible.

But not you.

You’re made of sterner stuff than that because not only is the Aston’s roof so well engineered it’ll shrug off anything a British winter can throw at it, you-know-who was never deterred by a bit of bad weather, was he?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.