• One of the world's fastest soft-tops back in the time • Delivered new to Italy • Automatic transmission • Recent recommissioning • Swiss registration document The Volante convertible had been the big seller of the 'old' V8 line-up, so the only surprise was that it took Aston Martin more than two years from the Virage coupé's introduction to come up with a soft-top equivalent.

The production Virage Volante debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1991, a prototype having been displayed at Birmingham's NEC the previous October.

Weighing in at over two tons, the open Volante was even heavier than the closed coupé, itself no lightweight, this increase in weight being accounted for by considerable body strengthening to compensate for the absent roof, plus the extra complication of the power-operated convertible hood.

Electrically powered, the latter was beautifully made and incorporated a glass rear window, complete with heated de-misting elements.

Mechanically the Volante remained m...