The Virage was Aston s first new car in a post-Ford acquisition world.

So they needed to launch something that was genuinely new, making a bold statement to their clients and the motoring press that they were taking a distinct step forward.Replacing the ageing V8, which had been in production since the late 1960s, was not an easy task, but leaning into the styling shift of the time resulted in a bold, stylish and aspirational new car.

Chrome was out, colour-coded was in.The Virage s basic body shape would stay in production until 2000, with the nameplate making a brief, but ultimately unsuccessful return in 2011.

This particular example is a rarer, manual-equipped car.

Supplied new by Aston Martin Sales in September of 1990, it s finished in Zagato Valiant Blue over a Rich Red interior.The sight that dominates your eyes the most is the amount of sidewall on show.

In a world of rubber band tyres, these 16 5-Spoke alloys, wrapped in Avon Turbospeed tyres, just look comfortable.

The...