This Jag-Based Aston Martin Vanquish Replica Isn’t Half Bad

Ford once owned Jaguar and Aston Martin, and this replica hints at what could have happened if the Premier Automotive Group adopted the blatant rebadging seen at Lincoln and Mercury.

Based on a 1998 Jaguar XK8, the model does a pretty good job of mimicking the Aston Martin Vanquish from the early 2000’s.

As you can see, the exterior has been completely revamped as it features new bumpers and ventilated front fenders. The model also has new lighting units, a ventilated hood and real Aston Martin wheels. Other changes include a rear end that closely echoes the Vanquish.

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The replica looks pretty good, but there are a few telltale signs this isn’t a real Aston Martin. First and foremost, the company never made a Vanquish Volante of this vintage. There are also some minor details that are bit off, but the seller notes they do have the headlights covers to make it look more authentic.

Of course, the biggest giveaways are in the interior as the cabin appears to carryover untouched. As you can see, there’s a familiar Jaguar cockpit with leather seats, wood trim and a J-gate shifter. While there’s some wear and tear, it’s a bit more stylish than the interior Aston used in the Vanquish.

The listing doesn’t mention performance specifications but, since the model is based on a ’98 XK8, it likely has a 4.0-liter V8 that produces 290 hp (216 kW / 294 PS) and 290 lb-ft (393 Nm) of torque.

The car has 43,750 miles (70,409 km) on it and is listed for a buy it now price of $19,990. That’s probably not bad considering the amount of work that went into the car, but real Vanquish coupes can be bought for around $50,000.

Regardless, the seller says the car was involved in an accident when it had 43,700 miles (70,328 km) on it. This is when they bought the Jaguar and began the Vanquish project.

The seller says the build is about 95% complete, but there are still a few small issues including a defective power soft top and a trunk latch that needs to be adjusted. Despite these and other problems, the model “runs, drives, shifts and handles beautifully” and is bound to be a “real head-turner for someone.”