The replacement for Aston Martin’s long-running V-8 models was introduced in 1988 at the Birmingham Motor Show. The Virage’s hand-formed aluminum body was remarkably modern in its execution. Although Aston Martin was in the process of being acquired by Ford, the Virage was anything but utilitarian. Each Virage utilized 40 sheets of steel for the bodywork, nine Connolly hides, and 17 yards of Wilton carpet—each took 14 weeks to build. Aston’s managers noted with some pride that each of the hand-built bodies was different in detail.

The Virage was more than a luxury gentleman’s express, however. The 330-horsepower, 5.3-liter engine, now with four valves per cylinder and Weber-Marelli fuel injection, was engineered by Callaway in Connecticut, better known for their tire-shredding work on twin-turbocharged Corvettes. Both manual and automatic options were available; the car offered here is equipped with the three-speed automatic.

Only 54 Virage coupes were exported for the North American market. As one of those rare vehicles, chassis 50327 left Newport Pagnell for the U.S. in September 1991. According to the build sheet on file, this car was finished in Connock Black with Parchment trim and hood, and black carpet—the colors it continues to wear today. The Virage didn’t find an owner until Mr. Edward Cohen of Palm Beach, Florida, purchased the car in July 1994—not unusual, as the price of the Virage meant that only the very wealthy could afford one.

The Carfax report on file notes that chassis 50327 was titled in New York in 1998, where the car remained until it was acquired by the current owner. In 2018, the Virage had a comprehensive service totaling $25,000, part of which included sending the electronic odometer to England to ensure proper working order.

Recently serviced and still in its original color combination, this beautiful Virage represents a bygone era of handcrafted excellence. A perfect union of luxury and performance, this Aston Martin Virage is a must-have for any collector.