1997 Aston Martin DB7

Highlights

• One owner for the past 23 years
• Only 70,109 miles
• MOT to April 2026
• 5-speed manual,
• Supercharged straight-six engine

Overview

Some cars are pretty. Others are fast, luxurious, iconic, or were defining chapters in a manufacturer’s history. The Aston Martin DB7 manages to be all of these things, and so much more. When it comes to modern classics, the DB7 must surely rank as one of the true greats.

This was the car that saved Aston Martin from financial oblivion, and it’s easy to see why: Ian Callum and his team created a staggeringly beautiful sports GT. Marrying that sumptuous aesthetic to a powerful and characterful supercharged inline-six meant the DB7 was as good to drive as it was to look at too.

Of course, with original pre-facelift cars only built from 1994 to 1999, good examples are increasingly rare and desirable. To find one in great condition, with a clean history and fine specification is a Herculean task. And trying to find one that ticks all of those boxes and also has the rare manual transmission? Well, good luck…

Having said that, your luck is in. Because what we have here is a simply divine example of the marque. In our opinion the specification is as good as it gets: the service record is comprehensive and detailed, the verified mileage is low and, best of all, it has three pedals. We had to go and have a lie-down after we first saw it.

What you want from a performance GT is power, style and comfort. On all three counts, this DB7 delivers and then some. It’s a very rare and collectible machine. But it’s also more than that – it’s soulful, exquisitely detailed and beautifully presented. For any driver seeking the ultimate expression of classically restrained elegance and muscular performance, there’s little to compare it to.

History and documentation

• Registered 11 Aug 1997 (built Nov 1996)
• 70,109 miles on the clock, verified by the service and MOT records
• Current owner since 2002, two previous owners
• Service book with 20x stamped services as follows: Aug 1997 @ 2,121 miles, Nov 1997 @ 7,603 miles, Apr 1998 @ 14,635miles, Oct 1998 @ 22,509 miles, Mar 1999 @ 28,650 miles Sep 1999 @ 36,775 miles, Feb 2000 @ 45,028 miles, Apr 2001 @ 51,533 miles, Jul 2002 @ 53,809 miles, Jul 2003 @ 56,853 miles, Jun 2004 @ 59,519 miles, Mar 2005 @ 59,575 miles, Jul 2006 @ 61,679 miles, Aug 2007 @ 63,412 miles, Jan 2009 @ 64,434 miles, Mar 2010 @ 66,884 miles, Nov 2011 @ 68,982 miles, Nov 2016 @ 69,791 miles, Feb 2020 @ 69,839 miles, Mar 2021 @ 69,842 miles (recommissioning service)
• Full document pack and original factory build sheet
• Extensive service and maintenance file, featuring dozens of invoices, as well as old MOT certificates and service record sheets
• Current MOT expires 7 Apr 2026
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear

Interior

• Charcoal and Burgundy interior trim
• Leather upholstery presented in superb condition, with some light creasing to the front seat squabs, but no notable wear, and no sagging, tears or damage we could see
• Dark grey carpet in fine fettle, with no threading or staining apparent
• Electrically adjustable front seats with heating and massage functions
• Smoke Grey fabric headlining, which was professionally replaced a few months ago
• Period Alpine radio/cassette player with boot-mounted Alpine CD changer
• Electrically operated side windows and door mirrors
• Air-conditioning, which was regassed in April 2024
• Handsome wood veneer to the dashboard fascia, door inserts and centre console, showing no signs of delamination, warping or cracking
• We noted a limited amount of wear to the leather gaiter of the gear selector, but only what is commensurate with the vehicle’s age and mileage
• All of the internal trim appears to be in excellent condition, with nothing missing or broken
• The switchgear and instrumentation is clear and legible, with minimal signs of wear
• The vendor tells us that everything in the cabin works just as it should, with no faults or issues reported
• Generous boot space, lined with grey carpet and containing a spare wheel, jack, toolkit, warning triangle and compressor

Exterior

• Finished in Suffolk Red – quite a rare colour and perfectly suited to the DB7’s curvaceous bodywork
• The paintwork is in excellent condition and appears to be all original, with just a few minor blemishes and some slight swirling
• All the bodywork looks to be straight and clean, the panels are well aligned with neat and consistent gaps, and we didn’t note any corrosion or damage
• The glass elements and light clusters all show well, being clear and bright, with no cracks, chips or misting we could discern
• Externally all the trim and badging looks to be present and correct, with no significant UV fading, warping or damage
• The front grille has been replaced with an OEM stainless steel ‘Le Mans’ wire grille
• Underneath the car looks to be in good order, with straight, undamaged floor pans and sills, and just a smattering of light surface corrosion to some suspension components
• We’re delighted to see the car is still sitting on the correct multi-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, and that they’re wearing the correct silver finish
• The off-side front wheel has a small amount of kerb damage to the lip, but otherwise all of the wheels are in good condition
• A matched set of Bridgestone tyres is fitted, which appear to have good tread levels and clean sidewalls

Mechanical

• 3,239 cc, 32-valve, DOHC, supercharged inline-six
• Water-cooled Eaton ‘Rootes’ type supercharger
• Manual 5-speed transmission, a rare option on DB7s
• Rear-wheel drive
• Power-assisted steering, ABS and cruise control
• Factory performance figures: 355 bhp, 368 lb ft, 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds, 165 mph top speed
• MOT to April 2026, with two minor advisories: a slight weep on a power steering hose and slight play in the steering column universal joint
• The car received a comprehensive recommissioning service in March 2021, which included a new battery, exchange ECU, coil pack and A/C compressor pipe; the brake lines and underside were also greased and treated
• September 2023 - new front brake calipers, discs and pads were fitted
• We are assured that the car runs just as it should, starting on the button, idling smoothly and driving with no issues
• No known mechanical faults are reported

Summary

The press went wild for the DB7 when it was released, and rightly so. It’s a fabulous machine, offering a blend of luxury, comfort, exclusivity and smooth power that still marks it out as an immensely usable and desirable GT. However, like a fine wine, the DB7 is getting better with age. In an era of performance GTs that are more hard-edged than ever, and usually bedecked with all manner of aero-faff, its suave lines and supple ride are something we appreciate more than ever.

Naturally, any DB7 is a thing of genuine grace and beauty. But one that has been kept as well as this example – and is also fitted with a manual transmission – is something truly special. Make sure it doesn’t pass you by, because we doubt you’ll ever see another quite like this.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Woldingham, Caterham.