This iconic, incredibly rare and desirable genuine factory original Aston Martin Vantage was built on the 11th November 1978 and left the factory in Florida Blue with Light Blue trim, as finished today. The Vantage was hailed as ‘Britain’s First Supercar’ and being a November 1978 car, this exact model become known to enthusiasts as the ‘Oscar India’ (October Introduction), released in October 1978. The Oscar India is noted for the increase in size and presence of the closed in bonnet bulge giving clearance to the airbox that is on top of the quartet of Weber downdraught carburettors. Our matching numbers Vantage was supplied new by Reg Vardy Ltd and is a very early car, making it one of very few Vantage V540 Oscar India’s ever produced. Reportedly around 40 V540’s were built, utilising the Vantage specification pistons before Aston Martin reverted back to using standard pistons for the V580 later cars and many consider this as the true ultimate Vantage Aston Martin. This beautifully kept, very original car is a low mileage example that has spent large proportions of its life in careful, dry storage. It records a mileage of 74,000 and comes with a detailed file of upkeep and maintenance with thousands of mechanical expenditure carried out by renowned Aston Martin specialists. When supplied new by Reg Vardy Ltd on the 11th December this Vantage was registered with the first owners private registration mark 96 CRC and this plate was kept on the car for the first 14 years to 1992. It was in 1992 the Aston Martin was in the hands of a specialist and very meticulous classic car dealer known to us in North Yorkshire who owned the car personally for two years before it was sold to a long term owner in Hampstead Grove, North London. The Aston Martin had led a very sheltered early life and arrived in London as a very correct, honest and well cared for original car. From 1994 to 2002 the Vantage was in the hands of Central Car Storage Limited in London and invoices for dry storing the car for 8 years are on file. DEF 764T came out of storage with a mileage of 71,547 during the early 2000's and was delivered to an Aston Martin specialists for re-commissioning. Both cylinder heads were removed and rebuilt, converted to unleaded and the cooling system treated to all new hoses. Brakes were re-commissioned, flexible hoses and servo hoses replaced, as was the clutch slave cylinder and manifold vacuum hoses. New track rod ends were fitted, front differential mounts were modified and a major service was carried out. The total expenditure was approaching £8000. In 2004 at 72337, the air-conditioning system was overhauled and this included a new A/C jockey pulley assembly, compressor, drier unit and new valve and A/C belt. In 2005 the same Aston specialists who carried out the original re-commissioning work charged £7500 for extensive paintwork that essentially freshened up an incredibly original car that had seen very little road use since its early life. In 2009 the Aston made its way back to Yorkshire and was owned by a private classic car enthusiast in Huddersfield and at 73215 and 73490 miles the car had two visits to Aston Martin specialists Desmond J Smail for work totalling almost £15,000. The Vantage was subject of a new steering rack, new anti-roll bar bushes, servicing carburettors, underside detailing work, a new carpet set, removal of dents and specialist detailed paintwork, a full service and a full check over to ensure the car was in top class mechanical condition and in prime condition to be sold. At this point, the Aston Martin specialists supplied the car to one of our overseas customers who kept the car in the UK, dry stored for over nine years. Having spent many years in dry storage the Aston Martin has recently had in the region of £25,000 spent on re-commissioning. The engine has been fully serviced, new fluids and ignition items, the Weber carbs have had a specialist rebuild and tuning, brakes have been serviced, the car fully function checked to ensure everything works, and then treated to some detailed cosmetic work and re-foamed front seats. This V8 Vantage has arrived with us in beautiful condition. It has all the hallmarks of a well-kept and preserved, cherished original car that has never been neglected. The car has spent a large proportion of its life in high quality storage facilities this has ensured the car has been kept in optimum condition. Whilst so many cars like this deteriorate and require restoration, this has the selling point of never having to be dismantled and put back together, there is just something special about an original, correct car. The interior trim is beautiful with all the characteristics of a low mileage car, the bodywork exceptional with stunning straight panels and an excellent underside, the Florida Blue paintwork gleams and the brightwork is impressive. The 5340cc V8 engine sounds incredible, it's superb, fit and healthy and is super quick on the road, The car is quite simply sensational to drive, it's a fast car, very powerful and with its slick, smooth 5 speed ZF gearbox it really is a delight to drive. This is a rare opportunity to purchase an incredibly sought after, correct and original factory UK supplied matching numbers Oscar India Vantage. With such low production numbers of the early V540 Vantage, this is a true collectors piece that is without doubt one of the great British super car icons. A car for the discerning collector.