
Lot 274 - 1977 12848 V8 Series III Saloon
Lot Number | 274 |
Registration | PYN181R |
Chassis Number | V8/11587/RCA |
Engine Number | V/540/1587 |
Odometer reading | 101,600 miles |
Estimate | £36,000 - £42,000 |
Result | Sold - £35,840 |
The six cylinder William Towns styled DBS had been around for
a couple of years, but customers were anxiously awaiting the new V8
engine. Raced in 1967 in a Lola, the 5.1 V8 needed 3 years of
development to turn it into a powerful and reliable road engine of
5.3 litres. It was in April 1970 the DBS V8 was finally made
available immediately making it one of the fastest cars in the
world. With space for four people in luxury, it was a true Grand
Tourer. The fuel injected 5.3 litre Tadek Marek designed engine was
able to develop around 320bhp which gave the ability to reach
160mph. Demand for the car was great with production reaching 402
examples in its two years of production. From April 1972, the DBS
V8 received a restyle and a new name. The 'DB' was dropped as David
Brown had sold the company and the car became known simply as the
'Aston Martin V8'. The most visible change was the adoption of two
seven inch quartz iodine headlamps and black mesh grill, the design
of which was the work of the original designer, William Towns, to
bring back the familiar shape of the DB3S and DB Mark III. In
August 1973, a new Aston Martin V8 was unveiled. Keen to re-enter
the American market with its new emission control regulations, the
mechanical fuel injection was replaced by four twin-choke
downdraught Weber carburettors which offered greater low down
torque, smoothness and reliability. This led to the deeper,
purposeful bonnet bulge of the Series three cars; there were
further improvements both mechanical and to the interior with only
921 of these cars built.
This more desirable Aston Martin V8 Series III fitted with ZF five
speed manual gearbox was first purchased by Mr J Green in February
1977 as his every day motor car before selling it to Mr P
Hutchinsky in 1984; from the history file it can be seen that this
car was properly maintained throughout both their ownership and
nearly all the mileage was attributed to them. At some point in the
early 1990's this Aston Martin was re-painted changing the colour
from blue to red; the next owner of this AM V8 according to the
history file is Mr M Knight who had work carried out on the Aston
in 1997 with the odometer reading 00531 miles and since then the
car has only covered a further 1000 miles. In 2002 it was purchased
by Mr Spiller, an Aston Martin enthusiast, as a present for his
eighteen year old son who, unable to get insurance, put the car
into dry storage. The vendor purchased the Aston late last year and
took the car from the storage garage, re-commissioned it and was
given an MoT test certificate on the 6th December 2012 with no
advisories on it. Within the last six months the car has been the
subject to a bare metal re-paint in Aston Martin colour tourmaline
blue, fitted with a new front valance and re-chromed bumpers and
overiders. A full service has been carried out, changing the
oils, spark plugs, filters and fan belts. The brakes were
overhauled including new brake servos, rear callipers and various
brake pipes including front flexible hoses. Other items that have
been replaced are a new battery with cut out switch, a heater
valve, boot lid springs, air filter and two new Avon tyres to the
rear of the car. The engine compartment has been detailed with the
cam covers and air box power coated in silver. The original black
leather interior is in good condition and the alloy 'cookie cutter'
wheels have recently been refurbished. This Aston Martin V8 Series
III is supplied with a V5C registration, an MoT test certificate
and a file of invoices and old MoT test certificates. Aston Martins
of all types are still increasing in value and the post David Brown
cars are now becoming a very good investment for the future.
Interested parties should satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lot prior to the sale. Accordingly, buyers are on notice that each vehicle is offered ‘as is/as seen’ subject to the Terms and Conditions for the auction. Buyers are advised to inspect the vehicle in person or use a professional to carry out this service. Historics will not entertain disputes over descriptions.