ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE VOLANTE JUNIOR

This Aston Martin Virage Volante Junior is a stunning ‘half scale’ version of the marque’s bold 1990s convertible. It is equipped with a 163cc Honda GXV160 single-cylinder engine, producing up to 5.3bhp. As denoted by the ‘001’ chassis number, the Volante is the first of a limited run of just 10 cars built in period, so is an exceptionally rare children’s car.

Following the warm reception to its V8 Volante children’s car in the late 1980s - one of which was even given to the Prince of Wales to match his full-size example - Aston Martin commissioned these ‘half scale’ replicas of the Virage in the early 1990s. Official age guidance is not known, but based on similar cars, this should be suitable for most children aged between five and nine years old.

Input from Aston Martin guru, Tim Cottingham, suggests this is a direct copy of the third prototype Virage Volante, chassis DP2054/3, which was finished in Suffolk Red with a black Connolly leather interior. It is understood to have been constructed by Milton Keynes builder, Cars Only, and featured in numerous publicity materials in period, which are shown in the photo gallery.

Understood to have been purchased new in Harrods by a British gentleman, it later found its way to Sweden, and is believed to have been looked after by just two private owners throughout most its life. It is now back in the UK, and is offered to another enthusiast who can invest in bringing the children’s car back to its former glory.

These Volante Juniors are understood to have been constructed using a tubular steel chassis, and finished in composite glass-reinforced plastic bodywork. Today, the car presents in fair condition, with some small scuffs and scratches from storage movements. There is also a crack in the GRP around the left-hand headlight, which will need to be stripped and repaired. To really bring the car up to a great standard, it would benefit from a full repaint, which opens up the possibility of a colour change should the next owner desire.

It rides on 8-inch five spoke wheels, which are faithful copies of the original Virage design, and which remain in good order. They would benefit from refurbishment, and one of the centre caps is missing. They are shod in pneumatic 16.5 x 6.5 - 8 Kenda Road Master tyres, which appear to be in good order, though of course are now rather old.

In the cabin, the seats are smart miniature versions of the full-size Virage items, even down to the fluting on the centre panels. The black leather upholstery is in good order, though there is some wear on the side stitching along the passenger seat piping. There are also grey carpets fitted throughout, including for the rear ‘luggage shelf’ behind the seats.

Ahead of the driver is a three-spoke leather-trimmed steering wheel, while there are also functioning seat belts for both occupants. Mounted in the dashboard is a genuine and period-perfect Sharp radio and cassette player, with speakers fitted in the door panels. The switches for the lights are installed on the left-hand side of the dashboard, though they are current inoperative.

This Aston Martin Virage Volante Junior children’s car is a charming collector’s item in its own right, and would make a fun addition to any garage. Now in need of some cosmetic rejuvenation after years in storage, this is a rare and bespoke item, which is sure to delight Aston Martin fans young and old.