1999 Aston Martin V8 Vantage LeMans

📸: Mr Choppers, courtesy of Wikimedia

We're starting a new series here at The Design of Speed: Sportscars at the turn of the Century. The 21st Century, of course. For the next few days, we'll take a look at cars from 1999, perhaps to see how far we've advanced... or not.

First up is the venerable Aston Martin brand, and it's insanely hot-rodded V8 Vantage LeMans. Built to honor the marque's 40th anniversary of it's 1959 win at the 24 Hours of LeMans, a limited run of 40 of these beasts were unleashed on the public. This car featured a 5.3 liter V8 topped with two Roots-style superchargers, putting out 600 horsepower and 600 foot-pounds of torque. In 1999, this was the most powerful road car you could buy.

📸: Courtesy of Autodrome.FR

While certainly plenty of attention was paid to the engine compartment, we wish a little more consideration was given to the exterior. The best compliment we can offer is that the car looks "unique." But we're sure it sounded fantastic!