This Aston Martin Vantage S celebrates 80 years of the Spitfire

The Spitfire is widely regarded as one of Britain’s finest and most important engineering achievements, having played a huge role in defending the UK’s shores during the Blitz and throughout World War Two back in the 1940s.

80 years on from the fighter plane’s first flight, Aston Martin Cambridge has decided to mark the occasion, and will do so with an eight-model, limited edition run of the V12 Vantage S.

Officially called the ‘Spitfire 80’, the car has been bathed in a colour called ‘Duxford Green’ – named after the RAF base where the first Spitfire squadron was stationed – and features a yellow pinstripe similar to those found on the wings of the original aircraft.

The heritage is more than skin deep though: Duxford’s Aircraft Restoration Company has hand-built an array of the components, including the tailpipe finishers which, Aston claim, have a “rainbow ‘bloom’ effect to match the Spitfire exhaust”. Colourful language indeed.

On the inside, the interior has received plenty of treatment from Aston’s ‘Q’ branch with specially embroidered logos on the headrests, and the RAF’s famous roundel has been cleverly integrated into the Vantage’s central dash.

Will the Spitfire 80 arrive in the back of a decrepid lorry? Will it heck. The official handover takes place at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford itself, and owners-in-waiting will be treated to a special programme including a talk from a veteran pilot, an armoured vehicle driving experience and a private display from a Mk I Spitfire.

How much does this all cost? Around £180,000, which is some forty grand more than the standard Vantage S. Buyers will get some satisfaction from knowing that a small percentage of that sum will be donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund, although the precise figure is unknown.

Charity contribution aside, there’s no doubt that Aston are seeking customers who are looking to indulge their inner child: available accessories include a pilot’s Irvin Jacket, flying goggles and a helmet...

There’s no ejector seat though. Shame.