Unveiled in 1977, Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage retained much of the same look as the Saloon, with the addition of some aerodynamic elements, including a “fliptail” rear end added to reduce lift and drag. After the first V8 Vantages were produced, Aston Martin made a subtle change— instead of bolting on these spoilers post-production, the remaining cars were made with an integrated tail. These integrated, or “Molded Fliptail,” Vantages proved highly desirable due to a smoother look and more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

It was not just the appearance that drew in customers, however. The addition of larger Weber carburetors, high-performance camshafts, and an increased compression ratio meant that the V8 Vantage had a top speed of 170 mph. Dubbed “Britain’s First Supercar,” its upgraded engine delivered an impressive 390 horsepower, making it more than capable of thrilling the North American market. By 1978, the V8 Vantage finally became available across the Atlantic, with just 11 examples in this configuration ultimately being imported into the United States.

One of these coveted 11, chassis 11928 departed Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell facility draped in the iconic livery of British Racing Green over Black leather trim. Following its trip across the pond, the car met its first caretaker via Jim Loose Imported Cars of Palo Alto, California on 24 December 1979. The car’s public history following its sale is relatively brief but marked by an unfortunate accident shortly before its acquisition by Porche Foreign Auto Wrecking in 1985. Period photographs show 11928 arriving with collision damage to the nose and doors, but otherwise intact. Crucially, the car retains its matching-numbers V540 V8 engine, as confirmed by copies of its factory build sheet and British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate.

After spending 39 years cloistered in Klein’s Collection, 11928 now offers a rare chance to acquire a once-thought “lost” example of Aston Martin’s sought-after V8 Vantage.