Lot 138 - 1971 Aston Martin DBS V8

From 1970 through to 1972, Aston's flagship model was the DBS V8. Although the body and name was shared with the six-cylinder DBS, the V8 sold for much more. The V8 engine had begun development in the mid sixties when it was first used in a Lola Sports racing car with a view to replacing the six cylinder unit which had been in production since the DB4 in 1958. Aston Martin had converted a DB5 with an early V8 engine which was used for many thousands of development miles by the factory to create a usable and powerful 8 cylinder engine to be used in the new the DBS model that was due for production in 1968. Unfortunately the engine wasn't ready in time for the launch of the DBS and went on sale fitted with the six cylinder engine used in the DB6. In 1971, the DBS V8 was launched, fitted with the long awaited Tadek Marek designed V8; an engine which powered all Aston Martin models until the launch of the DB7 in the early nineties. The body was a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Aston Martin look, with a squared-off grille and four headlights. Distinguishing features of the V8 model are the larger front air dam and lack of wire wheels, although some six-cylinder DBS cars also used the V8's alloy wheels. The tail lights were taken from the Hillman Hunter. A DBS V8 was to be used by Roger Moore in the television show, 'The Persuaders!'. 

The Heritage Trust Certificate confirms this car is a genuine righthand drive example fitted with its original engine and finished in its rare and desirable colour scheme of Caribbean Blue with a dark blue interior; only 3 DBS V8's were finished in Carribbean Blue. Built on the 3rd February 1971 and dispatched the following day, the certificate confirms it was factory fitted with air conditioning, Fiamm horns, Radiomobile Voxson stereo, door mirror, DBS V8 continental parts kit, Waso steering lock, Pirelli radial tyres and dark blue carpet. 

The vendor confirms the car has covered 61,500 miles and has had 4 previous owners throughout its life which can be verified with supporting documentation. The car has recently benefitted from a full service by renowned Aston specialist Rikki Cann at a total cost of £2,912 and has only covered 800 miles since.  Invoices detailing the work can be found in the history file. A new, handmade Hayward and Scott sports exhaust system is fitted and the wheels have been refurbished and shod with 4 new Avon tyres. Testament to the car's condition, it was part of a feature by AV Magazine. Supplied with a V5 document, Heritage Certificate and MoT test certificate valid until March 2018 with no advisories. This was the last model to be produced under the David Brown regime and, as with the earlier DB models, is fast becoming a very collectable and appreciating asset.