Introducing the ‘Project Vanquish’ concept: the predecessor to the V12 Vanquish.
In 2001, the debut of the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish was a refreshing change from the brand’s dated range of vehicles. However, the car featured here is not your typical Vanquish model. This is Project Vanquish, the initial concept car that was originally unveiled in 1998. For any collectors of Aston Martin, this piece of news may come as a surprise – it is up for sale at Classicmobilia.
Rare opportunities to purchase a vehicle of this caliber are few and far between, if they even arise at all. Typically, such exceptional automobiles remain tucked away in a company’s private collection, or worst case scenario, meet their untimely demise. However, against all odds, this particular gem has managed to defy the odds and is now up for grabs – for a hefty price, of course.
Although it established the design influence for the Vanquish and a number of subsequent Astons, Project Vanquish boasts several divergences that distinguish it from its street-ready counterpart. The fog lamps at the front are noticeably smaller, while the headlights still include the turn signals. However, in the final version, the turn signals were moved to the fog lights and given greater prominence.
The utmost remarkable alterations can be observed towards the back. Unrefined (for an Aston, anyway) transparent lenses for the rear lights take over the front end, while the bumper and integrated wing seem to sag. Fortunately, the Vanquish that we are familiar with showcased a beefier rear end. Interestingly, Project Vanquish was the pioneer Aston Martin to entirely incorporate the vision of designer Ian Callum, who later worked on projects such as DB9, the 2005 Jaguar XK, and Jaguar F-Type, among others.
Project Vanquish was driven by an experimental 6.0-liter V12 engine that underwent a thorough evaluation by Ford, Cosworth, and Aston Martin. The final version intended for road use would ultimately run on a revised version of the 5.9-liter V12 engine initially introduced in the updated DB7. Early predictions indicated that Project Vanquish had a maximum speed of 200 mph and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just four seconds. However, these achievements were only attainable in the later, more advanced ‘S’ variant of the production model.
Nowadays, a standard DB12 Coupe will surpass those numbers.
Although the interior has a familiar appearance, there are some intriguing developments taking place. Firstly, unlike the use of carbon fiber in previous models, the road-ready Vanquish incorporates metal inlays instead. This was a deliberate decision to create a distinction from Aston’s more conventional wood inlays, which were featured in past models such as the DB7.
The essential structure of the dashboard and door panels closely resemble the finished product, yet it is rather comical to witness inexpensive controls in a vehicle of this caliber – a clear indication of Aston Martin’s financial struggles during that period. Interestingly, during Project Vanquish, four-point safety harnesses were utilized, but they were replaced with standard seat belts in the final model.
This vehicle holds immense significance for Aston Martin enthusiasts, as well as supercar enthusiasts and those intrigued by the British automotive industry. The Vanquish is widely recognized for revitalizing the brand and it all started with Project Vanquish. As for the price, it is labeled as ‘Price On Application’, so if you need to inquire about it…
