Aston Martin Vantage GT12 | Spotted

Hopefully the expansion of the Aston range can also include a return to the GT-badged Vantages, as they were truly special. And a bit lame too, but that was precisely the intention: the traditional, civilized Aston Martins continued to exist, while these were there for those who wanted a more extreme variant. It’s now more than a decade since a Vantage GT3 was first showcased to the world and then quickly renamed the GT12 for the 2015 Geneva show after Porsche made a fuss about it. It was truly an Aston the likes of which had never been seen before; there had been more focused Vantages offered over the years, cars like the N420 and even the V12 Vantage S, but none as serious (or as powerful) as the GT12. There were carbon panels, manual seats, a lithium-ion battery and more for a 100kg weight reduction.

Then there was the outrageous aerodynamic overhaul, which generated meaningful downforce unlike any other Vantage (or any other Aston other than the One-77, really). Even with the mighty V12 switched off, the design overhaul meant the GT12 was immediately recognizable from the rest of the Vantage range. And while there were always going to be detractors, buyers accepted the idea, and a series of 4.7-liter GT8s followed. There were only 250 in total (100 of which were V12s), but the impact of both GT Vantages far exceeded their modest production – they proved that Aston could drive epic road racers with the best of them.

The original owner of this GT12 fully embraced its loud character and opted for a special ‘Verde Mantis’ paint. Which is indeed a Lamborghini color. It also has magnesium wheels fitted, a hugely expensive extra that will deliver some significant benefits to unsprung mass. And sometime in the last decade the V12 was treated to a Bamford Rose exhaust, just in case it didn’t sound sublime enough.

The mileage has continued steadily over the years and now stands at just over 7,500. So it actually presents itself as new, with that funny old interior without defects and with the beautiful paint without defects. But with the kilometers under the magnetic wheels, it can continue to be enjoyed as intended. Presumably one or two GT12s have never seen a good road, let alone a circuit, and that seems a shame given the potential.

The asking price for this, the only GT12 in the PH adverts, is £284,950. That’s more than a GT3 RS, before anyone says anything. It’s also more than a Huracan Performante and a McLaren 675LT. However, not only is the Aston much rarer than any of these cars, they have all been obsolete and replaced by more powerful, capable track cars in the last decade. The GT12 stands proudly as the ultimate naturally aspirated Vantage (apart from the insanely rare V600), a special status that will continue for quite some time. Even if Aston does what we all hope and revives the badge for the current car: bring on 750bhp…

Engine: 5,935cc V12
Transfer: 7-speed automated manual transmission, rear wheel drive
Power (hp): 600 at 7,000 rpm
Torque (lb⋅ft): 461 at 5,500 rpm
MPG: 19.8 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 332 g/km
Year registered: 2016
Registered mileage: 7,512
Price new: from £250,000
Yours for: £284,950