1972 Aston Martin DBS V8

Aston Martin had always anticipated that the 1967 DBS would be powered by its new V8 engine, first seen in 5.0-litre form in the Lola-Aston Martin sports-racing cars. Production problems, however, intervened and the DBS was obliged to use the 4.0-litre, twin overhead camshaft, straight six of the concurrently produced DB6. It was not until September 1967 that the DBS 'V8' was finally announced with production commencing in the following April. The new car's handling was excellent with independent suspension, coil spring/wishbones at the front and a de Dion tube at the rear with Watts linkage and twin radius arms. All this combined to create a perfect platform for Tadek Marek's all-alloy V8 which boasted four overhead camshafts and Bosch electronic fuel injection. The 5,340cc V8 produced an impressive 320bhp at 5,000rpm, and the resultant performance and 160mph top speed were nothing short of staggering in 1970.

This particular Aston Martin DBS V8, one of only 405 manufactured, is an original UK right-hand drive car, bearing chassis number #10402/RCA. It was built on the 16th of March 1972 and was despatched to Lazenby Garages Ltd. in Staines. The original specification included Oxford Blue paintwork, a Beige leather interior, fuel injection and automatic transmission. It appears to have spent most of its life in North London as the previous owner to our vendor purchased it from a Tottenham resident.

The car has been subject to an earlier restoration, which included new front wings, suspension, and chassis work. The aluminium bodywork appears sound overall, but there is evidence of some blistering in a few areas of the deep Oxford blue paintwork, however, the interior is good and commensurate with the car's age.

Having just been recommissioned by the current owner, it is a perfectly usable example with potential for further restoration, although this would not have to be done immediately and this big Aston could be an enjoyable 'daily driver'. The car has good oil pressure and the oil and water temperatures hold firm when the car is run up.

It is believed that the car has been stored for a large part of the last 23 years as it has only covered 226 miles between its MOT in 1994 and its MOT in 2017.

Some of the recent maintenance includes:

* Drain and flush fuel tank and fuel lines

* Flush and clean Bosch fuel pump and refit

* New Battery and on/off isolator fitted

* New spark plugs, air and oil filters, new engine oil - timing also reset

* New hi-torque starter motor fitted - supplied by Aston Engineering

* Front and rear brake calipers cleaned, refitted, and braking system bled

* Replace two headlamps

* Stainless steel door sill covers removed, sills inspected, cleaned, protective coating applied as required and new sill covers fitted

* Clean, repair and reapply rust application to underside sills/jacking points and stone guards and reapply with light underseal.

This car benefits from some history but a large part of the history file was regretfully lost in a house move some years ago. Available history includes MOTs 1981, 1982, 1983, 1994, 2017, receipts for work carried out by DJR Services (Aston Martin Specialists) Dec 1993, Jan 1994, March 1994, December 1994, Camelot Workshop 2017, British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, and a Bill of Sale from March 1994.

The car has been brought back to life under the stewardship of our vendor, and now presents a superb opportunity for an enthusiast to enjoy and enhance it further. Supplied with a UK V5c and MOT tested until 31st March 2018, this car represents an opportunity to own one of only 405 DBS V8s produced and is the perfect candidate to take to the next level.