An icon of the marque, this rare 1987 Aston Martin...
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We are pleased to share with you the details of another refurbishment project recently completed in our workshops and indeed give some insight into our activities here at Essendonbury Farm with this refurbishment and upgrade of a 1986 Aston Martin V8 Efi Volante.
This 1986 V8 Efi Volante on which we have recently completed such work was identified as a car with potential, then acquired with our support from a prominent auction in late 2024. One of just 44 UK right-hand drive examples of the V8 Efi Volante, a model introduced in 1986, it features the ‘V585’ series, electronic-fuel-injected V8. This one is finished in the attractive and rare Aston Martin colour Burnham Green.
Now, almost 40 years old – a fact we find easy to forget – the car had covered just 14,000 miles in the hands of its previous owners. Our considered opinion after an initial static inspection for our client was that it would make an excellent foundation for sympathetic refurbishment and would benefit from some of the upgrades we offer. The new owner appreciated the thinking behind our suggestions and, with his own objectives taken into consideration, we were commissioned to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment and upgrade programme. The owner’s aim was to enhance the car both mechanically and cosmetically, while also improving its comfort, driving dynamics and general usability in today’s driving environment.
Now, almost 40 years old – a fact we find easy to forget – the car had covered just 14,000 miles in the hands of its previous owners. Our considered opinion after an initial static inspection for our client was that it would make an excellent foundation for sympathetic refurbishment and would benefit from some of the upgrades we offer. The new owner appreciated the thinking behind our suggestions and, with his own objectives taken into consideration, we were commissioned to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment and upgrade programme. The owner’s aim was to enhance the car both mechanically and cosmetically, while also improving its comfort, driving dynamics and general usability in today’s driving environment.
Once delivered to our workshops, a more detailed inspection confirmed the Volante to be in an aged, but honest and only moderately dilapidated condition. Like many, it had suffered from a lack of regular use and specialist maintenance. The alloy body had various minor imperfections, and the original paintwork was aged and micro-blistered on most panels. Inside, the original 40-year-old interior was in need of attention with some general discolouration, while the walnut veneer finishers showing signs of delamination and cracking. The original Beige carpets were heavily stained. Several electrical and mechanical components, unsurprisingly, required replacement.
The original, and in generally good condition, hides were still intact and the seats in good shape, but required an interior-out deep clean and several applications of non-invasive leather preservation products and hide food. Even with a low mileage from new, the vehicle, at almost 40 years old, was ripe for preservation. The object of the exercise was to bring it up to optimal cosmetic and mechanical condition, while installing established upgrades to improve its driving dynamics and to satisfy the new owner’s brief for a fully refreshed V8 Volante capable of frequent use in all road conditions. Working together with our client has produced, what we hope you will agree, a tastefully upgraded and improved V8 EFi Volante. The works took six months earlier this year. With ongoing care and maintenance, this late-model V8 Volante will continue to give great pleasure to its latest owner and future custodians for many years to come.
So, let’s run through the various exterior works undertaken and completed. To summarise, the initial inspection revealed the paintwork on most panels, although apparently wellpolished and with good lustre, was micro-blistered. There was some light paint bubbling around the windscreen. Some stone chipping, general marks and imperfections were evident, all commensurate with the car’s age and use. With a report recommending a complete repaint signed-off, the car was transferred to our paint specialists for the windscreen to be removed and the body stripped down, panels corrected to remove any dents and then repainted in original colour to a ‘mirror finish’.
All glass, bumpers, front and rear valances, exterior handles, lamps, window frames, mirrors, and fittings were dismantled and removed and an inspection for any corrosion carried out. With the body now stripped down, a detailed assessment was completed: all panel gaps and surfaces were corrected including the doors, boot and bonnet; all panel edges profiled and aligned to achieve an immaculate fit and shape to the body. A final inspection of the body under perfect light conditions was completed prior to the application of primer, which was hand-flatted between coats. After one last expert look, the body was sprayed in Burnham Green and clear-coat lacquered using modern and highly durable materials in all stages of the process.
Exterior works to the customer’s request included the refinishing of the front grille in bright silver, a period 'special request’ alternative to the original satin black. The deletion of the standard rubber-faced bumper overriders and fog lamps as requested required welding to the bumpers before re-chroming. And a new lower front valance, of the type fitted to ‘PoW specification’ Vantage Volantes incorporating a discreet lower lip spoiler, was custom-profiled and fitted prior to the new paint being applied.
The recessed headlamp surrounds, usually finished in body colour, have been refinished in satin black, which gives the illusion that the car is narrower when viewed from the front.
After receiving a mechanical and electrical major service, including a suspension and brakes overhaul using new servos and master cylinder, suspension geometry adjustments, air-conditioning service, new exhaust clamps and hangers, a thorough electrical check, fitment of improved headlamps and more, the car was back on its wheels. But not the original-fit 15in BBS alloys, as these were replaced with a set of factorysupplied 16in Vantage-type Ronals and new Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.
A combination of uprated front anti-roll bar and 16in modern-construction tyres gives additional grip in all circumstances while not detracting from the V8 Volante’s well-judged ride quality. This set-up significantly improves the car’s directional stability and grip when cornering and braking. To keep the paintwork looking as good as it did when it left the paint shop, Gtechniq Ceramic Serum coating was applied by our Gtechniq-approved in-house specialist prior to the car being exposed to the elements.
On inspection, the original beige Everflex hood was found to be torn along several stitch-lines and in an aged and shrunken condition. This was removed, and the part-timber framework and insulation material evaluated before a new hood was tailored and fitted in our trim department using Dark Green Boyriven rubber-backed woven fabric that complemented the body colour.
Still disassembled, the tired interior and boot carpets were removed and an entire new set of Wilton, cut-pile wool carpets tailored and fitted, again in a mid-green to match the leather upholstery’s green piping, with all edges bound in matching green hide. Now back from the woodwork restoration specialist, the newly veneered burr walnut interior trim-set was then re-installed on the dashboard, doors and centre console. The new owner, not wishing to be out of reach and with a liking for music, replaced the original 1980s Blaupunkt radio/cassette player with a retro-look Blaupunkt ICE system incorporating DAB radio, Bluetooth streaming and telephone connectivity, along with a high-power amplifier and suitable loudspeakers.
Now, with the exterior refurbishment complete, the interior refreshed and the car having received a through mechanical and electrical overhaul, after road testing and final attention in our Detailing Department, here we have it: a stunning 1986 Aston Martin V8 Efi Volante, now back with its enthusiastic and appreciative new owner, a car that can be seen occasionally cruising the leafy lanes of Buckinghamshire.
Still with fewer than 14,000 miles recorded, and now presented in superb condition throughout, this rejuvenated Volante has not only satisfied the owner’s wish for a bespoke, refreshed Aston Martin, it is now set to give driving pleasure for many years to come. Discussing a bespoke programme of refurbishment, personalisation, preservation and improvement with the owner of an Aston Martin is a highly satisfying process for us and owner alike.
We hope you have enjoyed this video detailing the V8 Volante’s transformation earlier this year from sadly unused, to ready to rock and roll. And everything completed in just six months. If you happen to be an Aston Martin V8 owner and any aspects of this video inspire you to think of improving your car, our Service & Aftercare team would be delighted to hear from you. They can provide further information on the refurbishment process, the various options available and typical costs for specific work.
For more information on our activities, services and Aston Martin cars available and previously sold, why not check out our YouTube channel for similar videos? You can subscribe to receive alerts on all our videos including case studies such as this one.
