Aston Martin DB7 Vantage V12

Aston Martin DB7 Vantage V12

The DB7 was quite literally the car that saved Aston Martin from extinction. Developed under TWR's Tom Walkinshaw using an adapted Jaguar XJS platform, and styled by the brilliant Ian Callum, the DB7 was the most beautiful car of the 1990s. The original 1994 DB7 used a supercharged 3.2-litre inline-six producing 335 hp, but the 1999 Vantage upgrade to a 6.0-litre V12 elevated the car to true GT greatness. The V12 — developed from two Ford Duratec V6 blocks joined at the crank — was smooth, powerful, and appropriately thunderous. With 420 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, the DB7 Vantage could reach 185 mph and dispatch 0-60 in five seconds flat. The six-speed Tremec manual gearbox was the enthusiast's choice, though most buyers opted for the five-speed automatic. Ian Callum's design drew universal praise — Jeremy Clarkson called it 'the most beautiful car in the world.' The DB7 was by far the most successful Aston Martin to date, with over 7,000 built. Limited editions included the GT and GTA (with uprated power), and the rare Zagato. While it borrowed underpinnings from Jaguar, the DB7's character, craftsmanship, and beauty were pure Aston Martin.