Aftermarket October 2022

OCTOBER 2022 AFTERMARKET 23 completed cars becoming available, a much-loved war horse was pressed into action, the engineering development V8 Vantage VNK360S. Off came the spare wheel well, and in went the finest MDF board. Out came the 20-gallon tank and in went a specially made 5-gallon tank, which I designed. Out came the rear seats, the side trims and the headliner. The Vantage engine breathed through four twin choke 48mm diameter carburettors, which were eased out to 50 mm and re-jetted by Arthur Wilson, the Head of Powertrain. Together with revised camshafts the engine fitted to VNK360S produced a reliable 440 bhp, rather ahead of the standard V8 Vantage output of between 390 and 410 bhp. One small point; The V8 Vantage engine when cold could consume fuel at 4 gallons per mile, and when warm, driven with sympathy, could consume at the rate of 12 miles per gallon. However, this does not convey the bellow it produced in the process, nor the ability to go from walking pace to around 170 miles per hour in fifth gear. It was, and is, quite simply one of the most exquisite naturally aspirated engines ever built. Wild card Development proved that in order to get significantly better 0-60 miles per hour standing starts, a short diff ratio was required, which then reduced the maximum speed. The wild card was of course that the V8 Vantage Zagato coupe had a smaller frontal area than the standard coupe, and was slightly lighter than the mule VNK360S. The first prototype Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato coupe proved both points albeit the additional performance gain was small. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato coupe was a sell-out success, and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato convertible – using the 2 valve per cylinder electronic fuel injection engine with around 320 bhp to remove the infamous bonnet bulge on the coupe, followed with another 37 sales. One avid Aston Martin customer was Wensley Haydon-Baillie, who was a close friend of Victor Gaunlett. He was used to accessing things which were not ‘available’, and so pursued VNK360S. The company agreed to the sale, and the service department lined the bare interior with black carpet, installed a Connelly hide covered roll cage, fitted two Connelly hide covered racing style seats, installed four-point racing harnesses alongside the standard three-point seat belts, inserted two NACA ducts on the bonnet to reflect the Zagato bonnet, fitted Zagato alloy wheels and replaced the infamous MDF plank in the boot with sheet aluminium. The purpose? Mr Haydon-Baillie wanted a vehicle to drive from his Mayfair apartment around Park Lane, and back to the lair very, very quickly. The trips would be completed with a six-foot-high teddy bear in the passenger seat. The car – VNK360S – was one of the first cars to be converted to V8 Vantage specification, with a rubber rear spoiler, early front spoiler, a filler panel on the bonnet to cover the fake intake, the front grille filler with inset Cibie driving lights – and of course, the first of many uprated engines. It represents a truly special car, one that has been altered many times in its life, but somehow has retained its essential character. Owning an old- fashioned supercar is a labour of love and endless expenditure, but it does keep legendary vehicles alive. That takes a special kind of character. What’s the purpose? [...] The trips would be completed with a six- foot-high teddy bear in the passenger seat ” WI ZZIQ GLASS REPAIR om this Fr 15 i ! ... t thi i f orth o Up to £1600 w eder ffo Simple to use full BSI UK Based with 24/7 S ehic wn v Repair your o ease your turno & Incr enue ve dd another r A o s ... enue ver ai ning tr upport les erv ea m str n m n ope in each kit N° 1 in Eur TUV 43R Certified BSI Compliant uk.r Email: sales@ico el: +44 (0) 1462 452190 T OR TRADE ENQUIRIES T FCAT CON ICOR Ltd Van conversion and windscreen accessory supplier & manufacturer based in Hertfordshire UK