Aston Martin’s Third Savior
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Affordable Classics
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Written by Steve Serio
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| Years Produced: | 1997–98 DB7 coupe/Volante; 2000–03 DB7 Vantage cou | | Number Produced: | 1997–98 a total of 478, with 107 coupes and 371 Volantes; 2000–03 a total of 1,129, with 367 coupes and 762 Volantes (64 GTs and 17 GTAs included abov | | Original List Price: | 1997, $125,000 for a coupe and $135,000 for a Volante; 2003, $140,450 for a coupe and $150,450 for a Volante, plus options | | SCM Valuation: | DB7 coupe, $25,000–$65,000; DB7 Volante, $30,000–$75,000 | | Tune Up Cost: | DB7, $815; DB7 Vantage, $884 Coil packs: DB7, $132 times six; DB7 Vantage, $113 times 12 | | Chassis Number Location: | DB7, front left inner fender and front left corner of windscreen; DB7 Vantage, right inner fender and front left corner of windscreen | | Engine Number Location: | DB7, on the front right side and on the power steering pump mounting flange; DB7 Vantage, plaque on top of engine cover | | Club Info: | Aston Martin Owners Club | | Website: | www.amoc.org | | Alternatives: | 1995–97 Porsche 993 Carrera 2002–04 Porsche 996 GT2 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 1996–2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello |
Aston Martin and its various ownership incarnations have perfected the art of going under — think massive avalanche — and then being saved for another life of making cars.
Anyone familiar with the history of this much-admired, cherished and revered company realizes that Lazarus has nothing on these car builders from the United Kingdom.
The Big Three saviors that I will reference during the “walking on that razor for survival” chapters of Aston’s history are not the Detroit Big Three: Ford, GM and Chrysler. The “Big Three” for Aston have been David Brown, Ford and the advent of the 1996–2003 DB7 and DB7 Vantage. |
