1986 Aston Martin V8 Volante Chassis no. SCFCV81COGTL/15462

1986 Aston Martin V8 Volante Registration no. not UK registered Chassis no. SCFCV81COGTL/15462 *One of only 849 V8 Volantes built *The ultimate in soft-top luxury in its day *Delivered new to the USA *Present ownership since 2011 Footnotes: 'It's not by any means the world's most expensive drophead in production (the Corniche costs an extra £23,000) nor is it quite the quickest, though a Porsche Cabrio would have to be very well driven to get away from it, but the Aston Martin Volante is perhaps the greatest. It is a true sports car which is also luxuriously comfortable.' - Fast Lane . Described by former Aston Martin Chairman Victor Gauntlett as, 'a stylish thoroughbred, beautifully built, luxurious, fast and immensely safe', the V8 was built in several variants, one of the more exclusive being the Volante convertible. Introduced in response to customers' demands for such a car, the Volante first appeared in June 1978. Arguably the ultimate in soft-top luxury, the newcomer boasted a lined, power-operated hood which, when erected, endowed the walnut embellished interior with all the solidity and refinement associated with the saloon version. Although its open-car aerodynamics meant that top speed suffered with the hood down, the Volante's 150mph maximum nevertheless ranked it among the world's fastest convertibles. Its copy Car Record Card reveals that this left-hand drive V8 Volante left the factory finished in Jaguar Silver Sand with fawn leather interior. Chassis number '15462' is equipped with automatic transmission like the vast majority of Volantes, and was delivered new to AML North America Inc on 14 March 1986. The AMOC Register records one of the car's owners in the USA as E N Monogenis, while there is a copy State of Florida Certificate of Title on file showing that one Alfonso Valdes sold the Aston to marque specialists Autosport Designs Inc. Autosport Designs sold the Aston to the current vendor on 3 November 2010 (copy bill of sale available noting the European bumper conversion was included in the purchase price). Subsequently exported, if the car is to remain in the UK it is subject to the low import duty rate of 5% and will require registering. Whilst in the present ownership the car has covered minimal mileage and may require re-commissioning prior to road use. Lot to be sold without reserve. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * N * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. N If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £250 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com