1973 Aston Martin V8 Auto

Four seat Grand Tourer with a Tadek Marek designed V8 engine.

The subject of an earlier repaint/restoration with a colour change

Now Swift Azure Blue with a Magnolia interior piped in Blue. Virage wheels

Can be opted out of qualifying for an MoT

Now ripe for refurbishment. Interesting Aston project

Aston Martin had always planned that the DBS of 1967 would be powered by the company's new V8 engine, first seen in 5-litre form in the works Lola-Aston Martin sports-racing cars. Production problems, however, intervened and the DBS used the 4-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 the following April. With its platform chassis and independent suspension - coil spring/wishbone front, de Dion tube rear with Watt linkage and twin radius arms - the fine handling DBS was a perfect home for Tadek Marek's all-alloy V8. Boasting four overhead camshafts and Bosch electronic fuel injection, the 5,340cc V8 produced an impressive 320bhp at 5,000rpm; the resultant 160mph plus performance was nothing short of sensational in 1970. After David Brown sold Aston Martin in February 1972, the DBS V8 was replaced by the Series II model, now simply called the Aston Martin V8. Gone were the four headlamps and slatted grille and in their place was a black mesh grille flanked by single headlamps. The major mechanical changes were limited to electronic ignition and standard air conditioning.

This right-hand drive, UK-delivered, automatic gearbox example was built in 1973 and is one of just 288 Series II cars hand-crafted at Newport Pagnell. Although not its original colour, the car is now finished in Swift Azure Blue, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato colour, and the interior is in Magnolia piped in blue. The car now sits on Virage wheels which it rather suits.

Having been restored at some point in the past, this car is an eminently usable classic, however, we feel that it's better considered as a project. Growing rapidly in popularity with collectors and enthusiasts alike, the restoration of these V8s from the 70s now makes sound economic sense for those looking at a long-term investment.