This car in in fact the only European example of the late model, numbered V12 Vantage Carbon Black, one of the ‘final forty’ offered in the US and other selected markets with the optional all black gloss painted wheels, black window surrounds (DLO) and black grille.
Once AML engineering team had finished with DP2034/1, the car eventually crossed over Tickford Street to Works Service where is was comprehensively rebuilt, fully finished, painted, trimmed and sold to an overseas collector. Keith Riddington of Classicmobila has allowed me to use his colour period image of the car, circa 1993.
The car has quite an unusual and unique appearance and not just because of the two door coachwork. Whilst the six fixed headlamps and rear lights are straight from the 1987 facelift Lagonda (series 4), the side profile has retained the side crease of the original design. Now fitted with the same split-rim as the Virage 6.3 litre Coupe, the wheel arches have quite a pronounced lip.
In 2023, the long term owner of the 2-door Lagonda Virage mule decided to offer the car for sale by auction by Bonhams at their Goodwood Revival sale. I was able to see the car prior to the auction when it was shown for the first time in the UK for 30 years at the AMHT Festival held at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.
Three delete build chassis were put together in production before being taken across the road to Works Service where the build process would continue. The design is considered by many to be the best looking with the cleanest styling of all the Special Series cars and from head on and front quarter view, had a look not dissimilar to the DB4 GT Zagato which was the brief. An interesting feature of the Series I was the use of DB7 doors which also allowed the use of frameless door glass.
Three of the Special Series I’s were built, all to right hand drive, V600, automatic transmission specification.
These photographs have been kindly provided by Aston Martin Works
At this time, the surrounds to the Audi 200 sourced headlights were finished in black, something that never featured on the production cars. The other car on show at Birmingham was DP2034/4, finished in Balmoral Green was photographed extensively for the sales brochure and the rare Virage book.
The bonnet scoop bore a close resemblance to that on an early version of the DB4. The sills were more pronounced than in the Series I and were set off with polished metal covers.
All three cars were built to right hand drive, V600 automatic specification.
These photographs have been kindly provided by Aston Martin Works
One example has been spotted for sale on a German Aston dealer website. The car is finished in all over Meteorite Silver, with Deep Soft Obsidian black interior and silver stitching, numbered sill plates and silver wing badges. The two-tone Skyfall Silver/Meteorite Silver paint finish is of course totally optional on the Centenary Edition and it is perfectly possible for the cars to be either all over Meteorite or Skyfall Silver instead.
The three partially completed cars, it is believed, were subsequently destroyed due to the confidentially and exclusivity agreement with the overseas client.
In the US where they received 40 examples, the V12 Vantage Carbon Black specification was as per standard V12 Vantage 2012.5MY but with the following enhancements:
Carbon Exterior Pack (Carbon Lamp Infills, Carbon Mirror Caps, Carbon Side Strakes
Coloured brake calipers (choice of Yellow, Red, Black, Grey)
Gloss Black Diamond Turn painted wheels as a No Cost Option
Glass switches
Numbered Carbon Black Sill Plaque, 1 to 40
Black Leather or Black Alcantara seats with coloured stitching to match brake callipers
The absolute key feature of these last of the line Carbon Black cars from the original series is the black window surrounds, most easily seen on the side windows – or day light openings (DLO) as they are more properly called
In Australia, a further 6 similar numbered examples of the 2013MY V12 Vantage Carbon Black Australian Edition were built. These differed from the US version as only the Gloss Black Diamond Turn painted wheels were available and the brake calipers were only available in AML Carbon Black and Hammerhead Silver. Also Japan also received three examples of the late model 2013MY Carbon Black V12 Vantage. A single European spec car was exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2013 although at the time if was only titled as a product of ‘Q by Aston Martin’ rather than specifically as a Carbon Black edition.
Some websites call these cars either ‘Final Edition’ or ‘Carbon Black II’ although neither of these names have been used by AML in describing these cars. The cars are also occasionally referred to as ‘The Final Forty’ but maybe only be used cars salesmen!
The top photograph is of a regular example with Carbon Black coachwork from Lake Forrest Sportscars. Below you will see photographs of the only Carbon Black in Red Lion, a colour initially used on the Cygnet, and another example (photos by Peggy Matson) , one of only five in Azurite Black, the colour first seen on the UB-2010.
Started in 2002 with a design by Englishman, Andrew McGeachy, the car was not finished for 4 years after the most comprehensive conversion undertaken by the Swiss company. Whilst the 350 bhp engine remained stock, almost everything else was changed including most of the coachwork, all the interior, the transmission, brakes and suspension. Needless to say, the Rolls Royce Royal Blue Shooting Brake took a massive 10,000 hours to complete.
Roos Engineering near Bern in Switzerland have been associated with Aston Martin ever since they first became official dealers in 1975. These photographs have been provided with their kind permission.
