Mersey Life Issue 16 | Page 80

ASTON MARTIN DB7 V12 by Aidan Fitzsimmons
Hello and Happy New Year . In this 2023 edition we thought why not start with some glam , class & style . You only have to say three numbers to guess what vehicle this is . If I was to say 007 we all immediately think of the one and only British sports car Aston Martin . The Aston Martin brand plays a huge part in the James Bond films and if this article doesn ’ t catch your attention then maybe you have been shaken and not stirred .
The DB7 is well known as the car that saved Aston Martin and as the first of the ‘ modern ’ Aston ’ s , helped build the brand as we know it today . The classic GT car lines are looking exceptionally handsome after its launch nearly 30 years ago . This late 2004 car is one of the last to roll off the production line . With a 5.9 litre V12 under the bonnet developing 420 BHP this isn ’ t just a pretty face . 60 MPH comes up in less than 5 seconds and on to a top speed of 165 MPH .
This amazing example with just 5,706 miles on the clock has had 2 owners from new . With this vehicle coming up to nearly 20 years old it still has all the modern requirements like most modern cars including , a fitted Aston indoor dust cover , umbrella and tonneau cover , heated seats , heated windscreen , satellite navigation , CD changer and aluminium pedals . Not to forget ice cold air conditioning for them summer days with the roof down . Wind in the hair fun as you would say .
These V12 DB7 ’ s are a fantastic GT car and make you feel special in a way only an Aston can . They are a perfect useable classic and have a lovely understated look and feel compared to newer models . Now is the time to bag a good one while you can !
History ... Many will be put off by the revelation that the DB7 is based largely on the unloved Jaguar XJ-S componentry , so it ’ s perhaps best to get that fact out in the open early . Still with us ? Good , because it can only get better now . Although officially launched in late 1994 , UK deliveries began in earnest in early 1995 with the coupe model , powered by a Jaguar-derived 335bhp 3.3-litre supercharged engine . The car received a rapturous press reaction for its styling and a slightly more muted response to its driving characteristics . Remember , this was a time when Aston Martins had to be hairy of chest and rather like a gentleman ’ s club on wheels , and many were taken aback by the DB7 ’ s more relaxed and refined brand of modernity .
Summer 1999 saw the launch of the DB7 Vantage V12 models in both coupe and Volante form . These cars boasted a crushing 420bhp and aggressive pricing made them look a relative bargain compared to their immediate supercar rivals . Changes that saw the light of day in the Vantage were introduced across the range , such as better interior detailing and a wider pedal box . Sales of the six-cylinder models dwindled due to the relatively small price differential and the line was quietly deleted in 2000 , leaving Aston Martin with an all twelve-cylinder range . The DB9 was unveiled in mid 2004 and that spelt the end for the 7 .
What to look for ... The DB7 is remarkably untemperamental for a specialist super-coupe . That is not to say it can be run on a shoestring , however . The typical cost of a 30,000 mile service will be around £ 800 , and potentially troublesome items such as the rear axle , gearbox and differential need to be scrupulously maintained and regularly treated to fresh lubrication . The composite bodywork panels such as nose cone , bonnet , front wings and boot lid need to be closely inspected , as they are all but impossible to repair and costly to replace .
On any vehicle always check the alloy wheels , as they are especially prone to kerbing damage , and also inspect those big tyres as DB7s are very sensitive to bad wheel alignment . The standard air-conditioning system isn ’ t the most robust and should be checked for leaks and effectiveness . Be careful with the factorysupplied remote alarm , as the boot can easily be opened . This may not sound like a serious problem , but the boot lid only pops up by about 5mm , and when it does the internal light comes on . Many DB7 owners have been left with flat batteries as a result of this characteristic . The seat trim is also not the most hard wearing , especially when specified in white leather like this example .
What ’ s it like to drive ? The visual look of this vehicle ticks all my boxes . You think of DB7 in the same breath as cars like the Ferrari 360 Modena and the Porsche 911 Turbo but sadly once you open the door and make yourself comfortably it feels more like you are in a Ford Focus with Ford switches and buttons everywhere to be seen . But once you turn the key and listen to that glorious V12 under the bonnet you simply couldn ’ t care less .
The initial impression behind the wheel is of a slight clumsiness , caused in no small part by the big steering wheel and huge tyres , but the steering itself is surprisingly quick for such a large car . The turning-circle , however , is big enough to be in the supertanker league . Welcome to the world of nine-point turns . Once on the move , cornering grip is high , although in the wet there ’ s always plenty of opportunity to unstick the back tyres with an injudicious stab of the throttle . Allied to the largest ventilated disc brakes ever fitted to a production car , it all means that you can stop on a sixpence - or in this case , a fifty-pound note . Fuel consumption can be awful if you thrash the DB7 hard , but who buys a car like this to nurse between filling stations ? Comparing the DB7 with such all-out sports models , we consider it an extension of the values that the old Porsche 928 or BMW 8 Series stood for , it makes far more sense . Any car weighing over 1700kg is going to feel big and heavy and the DB7 is no exception .
In summary : If you undertake to buy a used Aston Martin DB7 , first be very sure of what you are getting yourself into . Despite more modern manufacturing processes at its Newport Pagnell factory , you ’ ll still find a plaque under the huge bonnet of every DB7 proudly proclaiming the engine ’ s hand built origins and the name of the man who signed it off . Running costs are high as the car will need regular servicing and any skimping in this department will be rapidly apparent . With the DB7 , perhaps more than any other , buying at the bottom end of the market is a false economy . Go for a car with a proper service history , bought from people who know their stuff and are looking to forge an ongoing relationship . Still , it ’ s worth the expense to see that winged emblem on the fascia , safe in the knowledge that James Bond would be happy to sit where you are .
Price £ 30,000 - £ 60,000 For more info on this car call me on : 07841 633219
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