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| Aston Martin DB7 (i6) (1994-1999) |  |
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| Production of the DB7 eventually began late in 1994 with a handful of cars delivered before the end of the year'. They were built at the Aston Martin factory at Bloxham near Banbury in Oxfordshire, previously used by JaguarSport for the construction of the XJ220. The construction of the DB7 was a significant departure from previous AM practice as the body structure was a steel semi-monocoque with some composite panels such as the nose and bonnet. These early cars, built prior to the introduction of the open Volante model are known as 'pre-airbag' cars or occasionally 'Series 1' | |
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| Whilst many small modifications have been made to the DB7 during the five years of production, the main changes were made with the introduction of a revised model in July 1996 (air-bagged - Series 2 perhaps). The later cars are relatively easily spotted as they have twin air bags plus new switchgear, seats, steering, brakes and softer 'Volante' suspension. A steel bonnet also replaced the composite original. Yet externally, the car appears virtually identical to the prototype. | |
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| Above are pictures of both an early non-airbag example (left) and late twin airbag (right) i6 coupe interiors. As well as the obvious airbag steering wheel on a revised steering column, the later car has wood trim and AM wings badge around the centre air vents, different window switches, relocated seat switches and bright bezels around the instruments. | |
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DB7s are seen with a wide variety of wheel options. Here are a few examples that I have seen (from left to right). Firstly these is the standard Speedline 18 inch' * 8 inch' single piece with the almost full width plastic wheel trim. The trim hides the attractive spoke design. In the opinion of many, the cars looked better without them and it is now very unusual to see a DB7 still retaining this feature. The second wheel shows the smaller wheel trim (on the Volante and post July 1996 series 2 coupes) which allows the 12 spokes to be fully seen. The third wheel is the same 12 spoke without the smaller wheel centre. The next three types are factory (or dealer fit) options for the DB7; the elegant five spoke one piece Speedline Magnesium Alloy Type 1908; the 3-piece Aluminium Alloy Aliseo, and the 3-piece Speedline Aluminium Alloy Mistral. Not shown are the 18 inch one-piece, six spoke Saturn by OZ - a wheel very similar, if not identical to that fitted to the V8 coupe and the lightweight 'GT, driving dynamics wheel. |
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| During 1999 the V12 Vantage was introduced at a price of just £92,500, a tiny £7550 premium over the straight six. Whilst the supercharged 6 cylinder car oddly remained in the price list throughout 2000, production had quietly ceased during May 1999 and the Vantage came on-line. By this time, production had reached 2484 Coupes and Volantes. Of this number, either 1605 or 1570 were coupes - depends who you talk to! Of these coupes, about half (713) had the desirable 5 speed manual transmission. | |
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| Page Updated Monday October 08, 2007 |
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