2002 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage is a Modern Classic

DB7 features the sleek lines and 12-cylinder power that Aston Martin has become known for.

The difference between six and seven is one. The difference between the Aston Martin DB6 and DB7 is one huge leap. The former looked largely similar to the DB5 Sean Connery drove in the 1960s James Bond films, and went out of production in 1970. What followed, such as the unusual Lagonda sedan and muscular V8 Vantage were attractive machines, but they all looked dated when Aston Martin introduced the sleek, sculpted DB7 in the 1990s. After that, Astons never looked the same. Odd geometric lines and British muscle car looks gave way to breathtaking, windswept curves. Eventually, straight-six smoothness was replaced by the V12 might of the DB7 Vantage.

The DB7’s influence can still be seen now. Modern Astons such as the DB11 have the same ability to snap your neck from whipping your head around to catch a glimpse of them, then soothe yours eyes with their flowing lines. While not all of the company’s cars have V12s (or even purely Aston Martin power plants), Aston Martin is still strongly associated with 12-cylinder engines.

Although the DB7 used parts out the corporate parts bin of Aston Martin’s then-parent company Ford, it stands as a significant model in the history of Aston Martin. We bring this all up because Bring a Trailer featured this 2002 DB7 Vantage, and we couldn’t not talk about it. As if its styling and handsome Aston Green paint weren’t appealing enough, this particular DB7 also has a six-speed manual transmission. That’s connected to a new clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, and output shaft seal, all of which were replaced last year at an Aston Martin dealership. Other new parts include the clutch’s master and slave cylinders.

The interior carpet is green as well and coordinates with the chestnut and tan leather on the sport seats, door panels, steering wheel, center console, and dashboard. Carbon fiber accents add a glossy, technical element.

Over the course of its 49,000-mile life, this DB7 has endured a few cosmetic setbacks. There are stone chips up front and blemishes on the 18-inch wheels. A 2002 accident led to the rear bumper being replaced. According to Bring a Trailer, “The seller reports that the car was later backed into by a taller vehicle in a parking lot while with the current owner, and repairs were made to the left rear quarter and bumper. The entire left side of the car was repainted and blended in to the existing finish.”

Regardless of bidding numbers, and sale prices it would be truly difficult to put an accurate value on this important piece of Aston Martin history.

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Derek Shiekhi

Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.

After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.

While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.

Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.

In addition to writing for a variety of Internet Brands sites, including JK Forum, H-D Forums, The Mustang Source, Mustang Forums, LS1Tech, HondaTech, Jaguar Forums, YotaTech, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts. Derek also started There Will Be Cars on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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