1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante £37,995
Good history and low miles in what might be the canniest investment in the DB7 range, says
In Mendip Blue with Ivory leather piped in dark blue this DB7 is a very handsome car. The bodywork holds up well under close inspection, retaining excellent colour and a top condition finish. Predictably, the 52,515 miles driven have produced some tiny stonechips around the nose, and there’s also a chip on the edge of the passenger door and to the edge just by the rubber trim below the rear window on the same side. There’s a small amount of warping to the plastic where it meets the door at the base of the A-pillar on the driver’s side. Elsewhere seams between panels and joins between metal and plastic look to be in excellent shape.
The soft-top too is in fine condition, raising and lowering smoothly and stowing easily. It retracts to reveal beautifully kept leather and carpets. The blue piping is firmly in place, outlining (heated) seats that fully retain their shape. Some light creasing proves the car has been sat in, and there is light wear to the driver’s seat outer bolster. There are no scratches from rings, keys or general handling on the gear selector or centre console – not easily achieved considering that Aston didn’t use the most durable materials on the DB7 range. There is a tiny crack in the plastic gear selector surround.
Everything looks clean under the bonnet. Cables and hoses look supple and fluids clean and to level. Jubilee clips are bright and corrosion-free, as are bolts and screw heads. The service book contains some very reputable stamps – Aston Martin Works Service, Aston Martin Heritage Centre, Stratstone – and is up to date.
As expected, the straight six fires immediately with no noises that shouldn’t be there. With the engine idling evenly and the odd blip of the throttle, there are no signs of smoke or emerging rattles as the revs rise. The four-speed auto slots smoothly into gear and the Aston is easily away. The Volante immediately demonstrates the demeanour of a wellmannered GT rather that anything nervously sporty, as is correct.
Steering is precise in a slightly overservoed tourer way, with no play or slackness, and the suspension shields its occupants from major potholes without creaks or thumps. There are no squeaks or complaints from interior trim through bends, roundabouts, or when challenged by more severe holes in the road. Oil pressure sits at the correct level and water temperature holds firmly in the centre of the gauge in traffic and spirited driving.
At lower revs, the Volante is a relaxed tourer, not overly quick and muted in its tone. It takes a good shove on the pedal to get the six interested, but when you do, the Aston picks up pace quickly with a stirring if slightly unrefined yarp from the exhaust. Couple that with the four-speed auto’s sport mode and you have quite a different beast – two cars in one.
Out of all the DB7 range, the six-cylinder Volante is the one pegged as the best investment. With an excellent history and in a good colour combination, the odds should be even better for this example.