The DB series of cars has been the quintessence of the Aston Martin lineup for almost 75 years now. The Aston Martin DB7 inherited its rightful position in this iconic series in 1994 after a 22-year hiatus. It was the first DB-car to house a V12 engine under the hood and was sold in the U.S. from 1994 through 2004. Today we dissert on one of the most powerful, capable, and final iterations of the DB7. The Aston Martin DB7 GT is an upgraded, limited edition model of the car, which was also the quickest DB ever produced at the time. Power comes from a 435-hp naturally aspirated V12 engine, which is mated exclusively to a 6-speed manual transmission. This superlative combo is what makes the GT a veritably desirable machine. Limited to just 190 units, the DB7 GT was marketed for the 2003 and 2004 model years. Exotic Car Trader has formulated this Aston Martin DB7 GT review, incorporating every intricate detail of the high-performance grand tourer.
Post World War II, Aston Martin was undergoing financial hardship. In 1947, David Brown, the owner of Huddersfield Gear and Machine Tools, dawned as a beacon of hope to rescue the company. Aston Martin and Lagonda were acquired by David Brown Limited and placed under the control of his company’s tractor group. It was the beginning of a new era and the very next year after the acquisition, Aston Martin began production of their first sports car under the new ownership. It was called the Aston Martin 2-Litre Sports, and unofficially this classic sports car can be considered the first-ever DB car. In 1950, the 2 Litre Sports was superseded by the Aston Martin DB2, the first car to be emblazoned with the David Brown designation. Later on, the DB2 was upgraded and named the Aston Martin DB2/4 which was later supplanted by the DB Mark III. Next arrived the DB4, switching the DB series to an all-new platform. The next scion is arguably the most iconic DB car; James Bond’s favorite ride, the Aston Martin DB5. Although the DB6 which followed it switched to a fastback body style, it was essentially an incremental update to the DB5. After the DB6, its rightful successor arrived only after a sabbatical of 22 years, in 1994. The Aston Martin DB7, considered the first modern-looking car of the series, borrowed its platform from the Jaguar XJS. It was the first car in the series to be offered with a V12 motor, along with a 3.2-liter supercharged Inline-6. In 2003, at the tail-end of the car’s life cycle, Aston Martin unveiled the DB7 GT. The Aston Martin DB7 GT is a drastically improved version of the car, exclusively propelled by the V12 engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The V12 motor here produces more juice than the regular V12-powered DB7 Vantage.
The Aston Martin DB7 GT is exclusively powered by a spectacular naturally aspirated 5.9-liter V12 motor, while the sole transmission option was a 6-speed manual. This harmonious V12 engine produced 435 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of maximum power and torque, which is an increase of 21 hp and 10 lb-ft over the regular DB7 V12 Vantage. Aston Martin didn’t just give the GT’s engine a remap, but also tweaked the car to deliver an even more visceral driving experience. The DB7 GT’s chassis is stiffer and its independent double wishbone suspension has been enhanced with upgraded dampers, a revised front sub-frame, and stiffer bushes. All of these changes, along with a revised final drive ratio, takes the DB7 GT a level above its regular V12 counterpart. The GT has a curb weight of 3,960 lbs, sprints to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and is limited to a top speed of 184 mph. To keep all that vigor in control, the DB7 GT also gets an upgraded braking setup. It features grooved brake discs instead of the standard cross-drilled ones, which can bring the car to a stop from 100 mph in just 5.0 seconds. Altogether, the GT is one of the strongest and sharpest variants of the Aston Martin DB7.
Inside the DB7 GT’s resplendent cabin, you can find an array of one-of-a-kind components. Unique to the GT is the standard Black Oak trim, while a full range of alternative wood finishes and carbon fiber were available options. The standard sports seats are swathed in a combination of leather and Alcantara whereas 17 shades of plain or perforated leather were no-cost options. The center panel between the seats also came sheathed in Alcantara as standard, which Aston Martin claims to deliver improved grip. The sports seats feature extended shoulder and lateral bolsters, additionally supporting the driver to corner aggressively at high speeds. The instrument console and the clock placed on the dashboard are finished in Parchment with black numerals. The climate control buttons, gear knob, and pedal pads are specced in satin finish aluminum. Aston Martin also provided the option to personalize the standard DB7 GT-badged sill plates with the owner’s name or a special message. Other custom options included color-keyed luggage, a golf umbrella with holder, and lambswool floor mats. Overall, the Aston Martin DB7 GT’s interior is a desirable place to be in. It is crafted out of superlative materials and brimming with old-school-modern elegance.
The Aston Martin DB7 GT doesn’t flaunt a typical Aston Martin facade. It looks quite Jaguar-ish which could be a turn-off for some, but it is far from an unattractive car by all means. Its resemblance to the Jaguar XK8 is undeniable, but in the right colors, and from the right angles, the DB7 GT has a unique aesthetic appeal. Nonpareil exterior elements that separate the GT from the regular DB7 V12 include a mesh front grille, hood vents, a trunk spoiler, and a lower-placed air intake. Aerodynamic upgrades specific to the GT include additional undertray sweeps and wheel-arch liner extensions, which help in increasing downforce and reducing lift by a whopping 50 percent over the regular DB7 V12. A unique set of 18-inch 5-spoke GT alloy wheels are standard, while 18-inch 10-spoke and 19-inch 9-spoke Vantage alloys were no-cost options. Silver brake calipers were the standard spec, which could have been replaced with Black, Red, Gold, or Graphite Gray. Customers were offered a palette of over 20 paint colors, while further customizations were offered via dealers. Among all the Aston Martins listed for sale on Exotic Car Trader, the DB7 GT is not the best looker, but it’s definitely got a charm and elegance of its own.
A basic audio system comprising a CD player is what you get as standard in the Aston Martin DB7 GT. A premium audio system and satellite navigation were offered as optional extras. Even so, the infotainment setup is fairly basic, reflective of the time period the car belongs to. However, the DB7’s naturally aspirated V12 is all the orchestra you need when driving this dulcet machine. You might be able to find more tech-loaded cars, especially among Exotic Car Trader’s fine collection of exotic listings. However, the DB7 GT stands out not for its infotainment features, but for the thrilling symphony it delivers through its GT-specific exhaust system.
Only 190 units of the Aston Martin DB7 GT were produced for the 2003 and 2004 model years, out of which only 64 were shipped to the U.S. This makes one assume the DB7 GT is a coveted collector’s car, with a behemoth used market value. But things are not as one might think. When new, the DB7 GT retailed for a starting price of around $161,350. However, according to classic.com, the Aston Martin DB7 GT has a current average market value of $50,397. The lowest recorded sale number is a mind-blowing $21,804 and the top sale stands at $67,971. This translates to the DB7 GT being a phenomenally underrated collectible and an exceptional bargain. Do you have a rare collector’s car that you are planning to sell? Contact Exotic Car Trader today for a seamless and effortless selling experience.
Despite being a rare, limited-edition model bestowed with a set of unique qualities, the Aston Martin DB7 GT has been engulfed by the mist of time. It is an underrated, underappreciated car that is capable of delivering you the full-fledged Aston Martin grand-touring experience. The naturally aspirated V12 motor under its hood is both spirited and euphonious. Paired with a quick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission, the V12 motor is exceptionally smooth and effortlessly fast. The GT also benefits from a stiffer chassis, enhanced suspension components, stronger brakes, and improved aerodynamics. On the inside, everything looks and feels sensory and sensuous. The meticulously constructed cabin of the DB7 GT is teeming with world-class materials, including supple leather and luxuriant Alcantara. Further elevating the cachet of the DB7 GT is its limited production run and current market value. Even though it's worth its weight in gold, the DB7 GT’s current market price is as if it were made of feathers. Even so, seeking out rare cars like the DB7 GT itself can seem like an onerous endeavor. Fret not, because Exotic Car Trader has got you covered. We have simplified the exotic car trading process to an unimaginable level of ease and convenience. Contact us now to experience the smoothest and easiest exotic-car-buying process. Coming back to the Aston Martin DB7 GT, this prodigious grand-touring creation is a phoenix buried under the ashes of ignorance. It is more than worthy of your attention and is definitely a car that would prodigiously reward your time and money.
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