Weird Car Want

by "CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
Published 01/27/2017 at 19:19

Tags: Aston Martin ; virage ; 1991 ; vantage ; lemans ; 1990s
STARS: 6

The 1991 Aston Martin Virage

The few for sale in the US I have seen are around $80,000 or inquiry. This car nearly broke Aston Martin into the 90's Super Car race. I say nearly because it was nearly as fast and powerful (330 hp 364 lb ft), but it was so much more comfortable to drive. I personally feel this was the first modern super GT car. The big 5.3L V8 and a proper 5 speed manual made it a real driver’s car, while the 2+2 technically allowed for 4 adults, like any other 2+2 it really did not. But what it did do was create a long sweeping roofline on an achingly beautiful coupe from a company that knows a thing or two about fast and pretty GTs.

The engine featured 4 valves per cylinder and heads designed by Callaway to help the Viarge pass emissions. Most descriptions of the engine do not cover the ‘twin block’ management system, which makes things somewhat more complicated. Each block of 4 cylinders is run much as a separate unit, each with it’s own Engine Control Unit. In addition there are separate ignition systems, and two separate throttle units, each with air admittance valves for cold starting. It assumed that synchronization is achieved via the crankshaft sensor, in any event, the two units work fine together. The Weber ECU system is pretty obscure – we can’t find much information on it, and it doesn’t seem to have been fitted to many other cars in this guise. So for maintenance, one is flying somewhat blind on engine management for the Virage. (cite)

I think this would be the perfect 90's classic GT car to tour the world in. While slightly obscure and maybe hard to repair, it would be fun and set you aside from most drivers. I feel like this is one of the forgotten Astons and I very much wish to own a 1991 Model Year. If I found one and I have the money, this example would be it.

Clarkson’s Review

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Maybe he is right. I should get a Vantage.... HHHNNGGGG

The Vantage was the Aston Supercar of the day. Made from 1993 to 2000, the Vantage, like all other Vantages, was a higher preformance model of another car in their line up. Using the same 5.3L V8, Aston added two superchargers creating a 550 hp and 555 lbft beast of a car. With a top speed of 186 mph and 0-60 4.6 seconds this car would rival many today. They made their car even more beautiful if that is even possible. Only Aston could do that. Here is a 2000 Vantage V600 LeMans for sale.

Aside from the horrible Ford parts bin steering wheel. THis here would be the king of all Unicorn. Think they would trade for my GTO?

Replies (23)

"jimz" (jimz)
01/27/2017 at 19:38, STARS: 2

yeah, I’d just started high school when the Virage came out. All the buff books were slobbering over it.

Each block of 4 cylinders is run much as a separate unit, each with it’s own Engine Control Unit.

didn’t BMW do that too with the 850i?

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/27/2017 at 19:38, STARS: 0

Not sure on that one

"Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes" (sovereign-automotive)
01/27/2017 at 19:45, STARS: 1

Yes, the m70 in the 850 and 750 was two m20s put together. They should’ve used the m30 instead.

"Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes" (sovereign-automotive)
01/27/2017 at 19:46, STARS: 2

Nothing weird about wanting an Aston. The ford steering wheel in the first car made me laugh. I distinctly remember my dad’s Saleen foxbody as a kid having the same wheel.

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/27/2017 at 19:59, STARS: 0

Yeah, they dug through the GM, Jag, and Ford parts bins.

"Jcarr" (jcarr)
01/27/2017 at 20:12, STARS: 0

Is it me or does this look like a 2005ish Mustang had sex with late 90s Cadillac Eldorado?

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/27/2017 at 20:14, STARS: 1

It is just you

"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury)
01/27/2017 at 20:25, STARS: 2

Kind of an expensive way to get a pair of Scirocco tail lights, but I’ll take one (just not the one with the nostrils).

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/27/2017 at 20:31, STARS: 2

You don’t like the LeMans? Me either, not as much as the Vantage (same motor no nostrils). Either way, both I want more than a regular Virage.

"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury)
01/27/2017 at 20:40, STARS: 1

I don’t know - sometimes the original version is the best version, and all the scoops and add-ons tend to ruin classic designs (see Countach, Testarossa, NSX, Pacer [no, seriously...])

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/27/2017 at 21:08, STARS: 0

I prefer the added bodyssey design to the later Vantage. The LeMans is a bit much though

"QCGoose" (chrismcfate)
01/27/2017 at 21:58, STARS: 1

Oh man, you aren’t alone in your desire for these forgotten beasts. I love the Virage (and its variants).

"EL_ULY" (uly)
01/27/2017 at 23:05, STARS: 1

Our owner has one in our upstairs lot with 3 miles on it..... yes, THREE miles on it. Technically a new car as far as registration. It is 100% brand new condition. Shit, the keys were lost for it for about 3 months. I just found them in an envelope lol.

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/28/2017 at 00:35, STARS: 1

Mmm, Vantage!!!

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/28/2017 at 00:36, STARS: 0

Wait what?! What variant? Cause if it is a V600 Vantage I will be there now!

"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
01/28/2017 at 00:42, STARS: 1

Those Volkswagen taillights though! Mmm, right after my heart.

"EL_ULY" (uly)
01/28/2017 at 00:46, STARS: 1

It’s a regular one I think.

We got a truck of orders today. In it was a non metallic blueish grey v12 Vantage with the 7 speed in it and full Alcantara interior. Number 1 out of 100

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/28/2017 at 11:09, STARS: 0

You gotta snag a pic if you can.

I like your dealership job more than mine....

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/28/2017 at 11:10, STARS: 0

See, I don’t know what you’re complaining about.

"EL_ULY" (uly)
01/28/2017 at 11:21, STARS: 0

check my last post

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/28/2017 at 11:22, STARS: 0

Of his Vantage/VIrage

"EL_ULY" (uly)
01/28/2017 at 11:23, STARS: 1

lol oh :] I’ll see if I can walk over to that end a little later.

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/28/2017 at 11:25, STARS: 0

I should have brought extra pants to work....