Three-quarter front view of a Blue, 1995, Aston Martin Virage Volante, on display in the Aston Martin owners club zone at the 2019 Silverstone Classic
The convertible version of the Virage, called the Virage Volante debuted at the 1990 Birmingham Motor Show as a strict two-seater, but a 2+2 version was shown at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show. Production examples, first appearing in 1992, were all to feature 2+2 seating. Sources state that either 224 or 233 examples had been produced when production ended in 1996. The last 11 examples already had the naturally aspirated 1995 version of the engine found in the later V8 and V8 LWB Volante models with the improved four-speed and overdrive Torqueflite automatic and a power output of 359 PS (264 kW; 354 hp), which may be part of why there is some disagreement to the production numbers. 1992 was also when Aston Martin introduced its "Works Service" package, which included wider fenders to accommodate the larger OZ wheels and 14-inch disc brakes, additional vents, deeper sills, and other appearance modifications. This was immediately available on the Coupé as well as the Volante. Aston Martin soon introduced a strictly cosmetic version called the Wide Body featuring the regular engine; this was mainly intended for the United States market as the was not certified for sale there. 13 of these were built for the United States, whereas only seven regular Virage Volantes were delivered there. In contrast to the "all show, no go" Wide Body Volante, the Prince of Wales chose to equip his 1994 Volante with the standard bodywork coupled with the 456 bhp (340 kW; 462 PS) engine and a manual transmission. A new V8 Volante Long Wheelbase, with updated styling of the V8 Coupé was produced from 1997 to 2000 on a lengthened chassis. Only 63 units were built by the time production came to a halt.
Size: 5401px × 3599px
Location: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -quarter, 1995, 2-door, , 2019, 5340cc, aston, blue, classic, club, convertib, front, grand, limited, martin, owners, production, silverstone, tourer, v8, view, virage, volante, zone
