1991 Aston Martin Virage, a misunderstood bespoke classic: Tim's Enthusiast Garage S4 E7

With a powerful hand built engine from the minds of Tedek Marak and Reeves Calloway this dogleg manual gearbox equipped aluminum GT car is a hand-built wonder who's appreciation is yet to reach the high levels of every Hand made Aston before it and after it. Could this be the car of your enthusiast dreams? watch and find out!
Music in this video courtesy app.soundstripe.com . Soundstripe is a brilliant platform providing licensed music for creators. Check them out. This Virage episode features Tricks by Empyreal Glow and intro music by St. James and The Arcade.
Please be sure to follow me at TimsEnthusiastGarage for daily updates in my story and posts featuring cars from the videos!

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Stick around for the post credit scene to get a glimpse of the next episode !

[@gillamcharlesm6021]

Hi all I'm glad to see that this car is starting to attract the interest of real connoisseurs. It is indeed the sign song of the "real" Astons built entirely by hand in Newport Pagnell . According to the latest AMHT (Aston Martin Heritage Trust) count only 357 Virage coupes were built (although the chassis range from 001 to 426, numbers were not used). Add to this the 9 LE editions (which use the later V8 coupe type v595 349hp engine (the Virages use the v589 336 or 310 hp) . So these are very rare cars, the buyers of these cars were gentlemans like those interested in the Bristols or the Bentley Continental R (also designed by Heffernan and Greenley). Victor Gaunlett was a true gentleman and it's reflect in this car !The initial project was to produce a modern DB4 (by the way the Virage use a very modified version of the original Harold Beach DB chassis). You will recognise the smooth surface of the doors and semi elliptical rear pavillon of the DB! I bought my coupe in 2015, I had a few odds and ends to rectify but it runs beautifully. It is a very sound handling car, heavy when stationary but light once it starts to roll. Breakdowns are now known and largely self-repairable (see David McAughtry's website). The Virage (and his dérivative like the Vantage 550/v600 etc...) is the only car of the range to use the 32v head on the old V8, so very particular ! and it was used on the AMR1 endurance car in 6.0 version (with good resultats at le Mans) In conclusion, I wanted a 1984 Oscar India but they were becoming too expensive and finally I took this Virage and I don't regret my choice, let's hope that they will be appreciated one day at their true value ! thank you for the video ! bye from France 😀

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Brilliant but of information and ownership detail here. Cheers! Thanks for watching!

[@mehdibanaei9753]

You did it again, like I say each time, you have the best taste in cars by far on KZbin. Congrats, enjoy your new ride.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

I appreciate the feedback. I do meet a fair amount of people who share our aesthetic appreciation. We have to show people the way :). Cheers and thanks so much for watching !

[@SSRstudio]

its such a rare a unique car - not a popular in most of museums or any car meets, i got complete;y freak out when i saw passing by sand color Virage 2 weeks ago in Anahaim CA traffic with non CA plates on it - beatifull shape and front facia

[@pcar93tt]

I just scooped another 1 of the 12 on BAT. I love that nobody knows what it is and those that do have never seen one in person. These things are highly undervalued.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@pcar93tt I watched and commented on that auction. It blows my mind. People are missing out. You got a great deal

[@tektao]

Buying one today saturday or monday. Latest tuesday. Today is friday.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

awesome . They are a rare find

[@sierrasautosalon]

Such a beautiful car! Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

It’s a joy to have around. I’m at that point where there are too many cars around. I know you can relate. Hope you are well! Thanks for watching 🙌

[@LarsAgerbk]

I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said about this car. It doesn't seem to be very good in any way but I would say that in the year 2022, driving a 90ies Aston - pre DB7, beats everything else on style. It's just so elegant, raw, brutal to look at, at the same time. To me it's also one of the last real Astons. I think an Aston should feel and look like a British american-muscle car. Older brand, more exclusive, distinguished, sophisticated etc.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

This has that Brit/American feel to be sure. It is the last real Aston. The DB7, with it's XJS origins took that step to far toward homogeny. Those early DB7 with the inline 6 supercharged engine are starting to look "vintage" to me so maybe my opinion will soften on those in the future. I recently drove a new Vantage. It felt like a slightly more exotic AMG GT and that made me real sad. It didn't have an Aston soul. Cheers and thanks so much for watching !

[@LarsAgerbk]

@@TimsEnthusiastGarage there's also very few videos on this era of Aston Martin on YouTUbe, so in that sense it's very special too. edit. well there's quite a few actually. Just not from the car-KZbinrs I follow. Probably pretty rare compared to most other Aston-KZbin videos.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@LarsAgerbk When I looked I didn't see many videos on this car or cars from this era. As I mentioned in the video it truly is surprising more people aren't fans or even aware of these cars.

[@paulthomson9014]

A British American muscle car ? Aston Martins are British gt cars , classy elegant powerful , ' brute in a suit ' cars

[@automotiveaffairsshorts]

Awesome video, Tim 👏

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Thanks so much! That means a lot to me

[@spartanp2064]

Love the Virage. The original V8 Series is my favorite but they appreciated to high.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

They really shot up in value , I expect these to as well

[@GM-fh5jp]

The V550 Vantage version is so choice. In dark and glossy Pentland Green they just look (and go) killer. Someone buy me one please :)

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Totally agree

[@MichaelTaylor-kj8pg]

Tim if you ever come to NJ - i have a Z8, F355 spider 6sp and california for u to drive. Love your work from the very start

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Thanks so much for watching and taking interest. I have some mates in the Bergen county area and try to get out at least annually. The Z8 is a car I would love to cover at some point as they are truly exceptional. If I can put the crew together it would be a lovely long weekend once the leaves start to change. I appreciate the thought and will be in touch should time allow. Cheers!

[@The-Sea-Dragon-1977]

SSSSSHHHHH! Keep it a secret please until I get one!

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Hard to keep this one under wraps. It’s a down right injustice considering what mass produced non rarities or the same vintage sell for. Thanks for watching !

[@The-Sea-Dragon-1977]

@@TimsEnthusiastGarage I first drove one in 2000. In the last 22 years houses, qualifications and kids have always got in the way & I have watched prices rise from £25k to £50k. So close now... Once I do I'll let you know, if you are in the UK please come & see it. Road trip to Newport Pagnell?

[@duckpuddles]

I read somewhere that it took 1400 man hours to build, compared to less than 300 for a modern Aston

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

These purportedly did take 1400 Man hours. A current Aston or Bentley sees 20-30 and that is on the high side . The last hood out was the Arnage from Bentley which took 350-400

[@travkatz]

What to add? Living the dream.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Thankful for every moment! Thankful you took time to watch and comment. I really appreciate that more than you would imagine. Cheers

[@edwinthomas618]

I want to be like Tim... Great video! I had no idea you finished the Lotus...you holding out to your subs? Please do a video. Nice Oris or Ball timepiece.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

The purple Lotus , alas, is not finished, though in recent weeks it has taken a giant leap forward. I have a Green S4S and that is the one you see in this video. I am not trying to be greedy and hoard Esprits, definitely trying to keep one that is together around so we have a car to reference . lol. I kid. The Green S4S was THE spec Esprit I had hoped to own as a mature adult so I need to keep it around until I actually become one :-) I had to actually look as I didn't remember what watch I had on. It was filmed on two different days. The "studio" shots are an ORIS BC4 ( which is almost as underrated as this car) and driving footage is an Omega Speedmaster Racing. Great eye. As a side note here I love the Ball Railmaster watches and have eyed one for years. It's a shame as my grandfather worked 35 years on the Railroad and I don't own a single Ball time piece . Cheers and thanks for watching !

[@edwinthomas618]

@@TimsEnthusiastGarage You are the man. I own an Oris and so underrated. Ball watches are nice...had one. Omega speedmaster is a grail watch. I can't wait to see the purple Lotus video. take care

[@darren1naudi]

Therapeutic voice emanating from a unique personality.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and to share this comment. I needed it. About to release some new videos, this channel is very much a labor of love.

[@WillEhmannDesign]

The Viagra Gabbagool 9000

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Lol

[@MightySchultz]

Ah the double edged sword of parts bin raiding. Great for easy spares & servicing but looked down upon as a cut corner and compromise

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Indeed. Thanks for watching !

[@1995RangeRover]

She's sweet!!!

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Thanks for watching 🙌

[@roverwaters3875]

this car is not for tesla snowflakes

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

That is an understatement.