This is a very unique vehicle; it is one of only 54 left-hand drive cars that were imported into the United States amongst a total of 360 worldwide. The Virage was the last of the handmade Astons before Ford made significant changes, which created the new Astons as automated production cars.

The replacement for Aston Martin’s long-running V8 models and the Vantage V8 in particular was introduced in 1988 at the Birmingham Motor Show. Named Virage, its hand-formed aluminum body was more graceful and less angular than its predecessors and remarkably modern, low and clean in its execution. As always, the finest materials were used, from Connolly leather to Wilton wool carpets and rich wood trim.

A 5.3-liter V-8 that is able to produce 330 horsepower is quite a substantial amount of power for the Aston Martin two-door coupe. The Virage was a large, heavy car in spite of its all-aluminum body, but the 32-valve 5.3-liter V-8 engine with 364-lb/ft of torque elevated its performance to near supercar levels. “Acceleration just never seems to run out,” claimed Sports Car International on a first test drive.

The car was more than a powerful gentleman’s express, however. The 330 horsepower 5.3-liter engine was now equipped with Weber-Marelli fuel injection and a new cylinder head featuring four valves per cylinder engineered by performance specialists Callaway in Connecticut, well-known for their tire-shredding, twin-turbocharged Corvettes. This automobile is quite unique and with its rich history makes it very desirable.