Unveiled in 1977, Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage retained much of the same look as the Saloon, with the addition of some aerodynamic elements, including a “fliptail” rear end added to reduce lift and drag.

After the first V8 Vantages were produced, Aston Martin made a subtle change— instead of bolting on these spoilers post-production, the remaining cars were made with an integrated tail.

These integrated, or “Molded Fliptail,” Vantages proved highly desirable due to a smoother look and more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

It was not just the appearance that drew in customers, however.

The addition of larger Weber carburetors, high-performance camshafts, and an increased compression ratio meant that the V8 Vantage had a top speed of 170 mph.

Dubbed “Britain’s First Supercar,” its upgraded engine delivered an impressive 390 horsepower, making it more than capable of thrilling the North American market.

By 1978, the V8 Vantage finally became available across the Atlantic, with just 1...