2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
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Created using the tried and true technique of putting the largest engine in the smallest car, the V12 Vantage is one of the best sports cars of the last decade in addition to being the last naturally-aspirated V12 manual car ever made. When the V8 Vantage appeared, it was powered by a 4.3 liter 380hp V8 and was universally praised for its spectacular good looks, aluminum chassis, and handling balance. Dry sump lubrication and rear-mounted transaxle signaled that Aston Martin was serious about creating a genuine sports car, and the press noted that the car could easily handle more power. Four years later, the V12 Vantage appeared, powered by the hot-rodded 510hp 12-cylinder DBS motor (60hp more than the DB9 motor on which it was based). Functional carbon fiber vents were added to the hood and the bumpers and side skirts revised, and a larger rear lip spoiler added along with larger wheels and brakes. Although it was created by pulling the best from the Aston Martin parts stash, the result is stunning. It is a car with superb proportions, dynamically spectacular, and aurally sensational. It is the ultimate expression of the old-school sports car: front-engined, naturally aspirated, and manual, but rendered with the brilliance of today's cars. In short, it is the Ferrari that Ferrari never made.
This particular car is a late production “MY2012.25” example that was delivered new on 8 August 2012. It is one of four cars produced near the end of production of the V12 Vantage that were finished in Flame Orange and equipped with black trim and carbon fiber accents, essentially an equipment level identical to the 40 Carbon Black Edition cars but finished in orange instead of some variant of black. Of these four cars, one went to Germany, one to the UK, and two came to the United States. The original options on this car include Bang & Olufsen stereo, heated seats, black mesh exterior grilles, carbon fiber interior trim, carbon fiber side vent trims, black exhaust pipes, front parking sensors (rear ones are standard equipment), and umbrella.
The car has service records back to when it was 18 months old showing consistent maintenance, the most recent of which was performed in September 2020. In addition to an oil change, the transaxle oil was also renewed, the transmission filter replaced, new air filters fitted, and the clutch fluid renewed. The car comes with a copy of its window sticker as well as umbrella and owner’s manual.
