In March 1999, Aston Martin announced that 40 special versions of the Vantage, called the Vantage Le Mans, would be built to celebrate the factory’s famous victory at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in 1959 when Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby took the chequered flag first in ‘DBR1/2’. Although at a glance it is outwardly similar to the standard Vantage, the Le Mans could be distinguished by its front wing side vents – recalling those of the DBR1 racer, ducted bonnet, ‘nostril’ front grille and improved high-downforce air dam, while at the rear the spoiler was revised to incorporate the high-intensity and reversing lights. The Le Mans received unique five-spoke magnesium alloy wheels while beneath the skin its chassis boasted the kind of extensive upgrading, in the form of the ‘Driving Dynamics’ package, required to cope with the massive increase in performance. Aston Martin engineers developed a blown version of the proven 5,340cc V8 engine, twin mechanically driven Eaton superchargers, in preference to turbochargers, on the grounds of superior throttle response. Quite apart from its stupendous maximum output of 550bhp, remarkable enough in itself, the engine is monstrously torquey, producing 550lb/ft at 4,000rpm. The engine is also complemented by a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox. This particular example is the 29^th of only 40 ever produced and one of only four Le Mans still in their purest form (not upgraded to V600 spec by Aston Works). From the build sheets it is evident great detail was ensured to satisfy a VIP client including a note that the engine had to be built by a specific Aston Martin engineer at the time. Recently fully serviced by a marque specialist and with very low miles from new, this car represents a great buy and would enhance even the finest of collections!