Well... we went and did something. Acquired a very interesting and unique car and we are going to document things as we bring this car back to life. Excuse me for looking haggard and worn out, was just off a transatlantic trip!

 

Very cool project! Excited to watch this come together.

 

Wonder how this supercharger compares to Rich's at Redpants

 

Funny Mrcw..I was wondering the same thing…will be a fun one to follow…

 

Excited to follow this build Stuart!

 

Episode 2 is up. We need some help & input on what direction to take the build!

 

Nice project Stuart. Subscribed.

 

You mean the GMR supercharger?

 

I've been thinking about this for a couple of days trying to write the right response. I'm not sure this will all come out clearly but I'm guessing others on the forum can clarify.

I have the facelifted version and I really love the ducktail and the more aggressive front splitter. That said, I absolutely hate seeing original body styles mashed up to try to look like the facelift. When I see strap on ducktail extenders and corny lower lips...and cheap 20" wheels, I just know that the owner is on their last legs and really wants something that the vantage isn't. "You hate to see it"

All that to say, I'm not a fan of this preoccupation with adding cosmetic carbon parts and newer gen body parts to the project car. The original shape is so rounded and classic and there's a reason that the shape is timeless. I feel like it has a lot in common with a 993.

I love your idea of a clubsport vantage.
1) lighter weight (like replacing the seats),
2) Roll-bar
3)suspension tuning
4) more power!!

But I would want the vantage to still be recognizable as a vantage. I feel like it could have a resto-mod kind of look. If you want to do something wild, maybe some Rays TE37's on slicks for track days would be really cool.

One thing to think about is how does this project represent VAP? Right now VAP is the go-to for actual performance upgrades for the Vantage and I think any project that VAP takes on should represent your market first and foremost. People should be more excited about what kind of performance you guys can wring out of that platform than how the car looks kind of different. A

You sell the performance parts and not the body parts right? Bending over backwards to try to get the old car to look like the slightly newer car is subliminally telling people that a 4.7 is the better car to get. Better to save your money for a 4.7 than to get a 4.3 and upgrade its performance with a bunch of parts from VAP. I don't think that sends the right message.

Anyway, I'm super-excited to see what VAP does with this project. You guys are super-capable and I think a little enthusiasm for the 4.3's could extend their life a little longer. Would you guys consider blueprinting or boring out the engine over a supercharger?

 

I think we are leaning pretty strongly towards the entire rear hatch, not the stick on Kamm Tail. Wheels we are still contemplating. Inexpensive doesn't always mean bad but it needs to work with the car for sure.

100% it needs to represent us. It's definitely going to feature some of our performance parts (and in fact, it does already.) But that doesn't preclude us from adding some great OEM or aftermarket options from other people either.

We have always been performance oriented, however we've also sold lots of body parts & upgrades over the years too. I don't think it's a case of being better or worse to get a 4.7 or 4.3L. Both can be upgraded performance wise. I think people with both are interested in the additional fun derived from some performance upgrades.


Us too! This was a car that fell into our lap so to speak, and it's a fun opportunity to build something really unique.

I'm unsure if you mean for this project car, or if it's something we can supply? If the latter, yes, we have built quite a few race engines for vehicles we look after (Porsche, Spec E46 etc.) but we're actively developing plans for an engine program for Aston. If you mean for this project vehicle, then no, we haven't considered an NA option just purely due to sunk cost. This vehicle is/was already supercharged, and the engine was built specifically for a supercharged application. We'll share some more details on that in later installments, but it wouldn't make sense time wise or economically to try to convert this back to an NA performance build.

 

Another hood options is the GT3 hood from TRG. Not sure if they still have any left but they could potentially make a new batch. I ran this hood on my 09 and it was great!

 

That's a good option too!

 

**I did not know the engine was already supercharged. Very fun. It's been marinating and a facelift hatch with a N420 front lip would look really nice. Still classic but with a little more detail and slight edge. I found a picture of a vantage with TE37's and I was wrong. I don't think those are the wheels for the vantage. I actually have a really hard time with aftermarket wheels on the vantage because all the oem wheels look so nice. This is apropos of nothing, but a red roll cage with cobra nogaro bucket seats and an entire interior retrim in black alcantara would be insane. Super race, but also kind of luxurious. Talk about getting distracted by aesthetics though! Can't wait to see more progress on the project car. Dreaming of a 4.3 "falling in my lap" some day...

 

If you watch episode 1, we talked a little bit about the history on the car and the supercharger. The PO powdercoated the intake manifold red, so that could be a nice accent!

 

WHEELS - Keep good looking OE wheels, but add inches to rim widths. This service has been available to wheel automotive industry designers, racers and custom car builders nationwide. Weldcraft Wheels widens (or narrows) any aluminum wheel. Add 2", 3" or more. James @ 734 779 - 1303.

HOOD - GT3 hood by TRG is great, half a dozen styled good sized holes. Radical appearance turns heads with or without screens or styled louvers. I think TRG originals were carbon fiber, however, the "dropped in your lap" aluminum hood could be bodyworked and applied. A low cost fiberglas version would make an effective VelocityAP offering.

SKID PLATE Styled full width bolt on plate of High Density Polyethelene plastic. Offers both protection and appearance. A half inch will bulk up the front end and easily perform the skid plate function. At the same time it can add to a nose down attitude. Car will look lower without hindering its ride/handling or endangering costly body or powertrain components.