Lot details
Registration No: EVN826L
Chassis No: DBSV8/10604/RCA

- 1 of 289 V8's built and just 1 of 7 supplied new to Japan

- Matching numbers example

- Apparently runs smoothly, revs freely and shows good oil pressure


Further info:

The William Towns-penned DBS was intended as a direct replacement for the ageing DB6 and to be V8-powered from birth. However, Tadek Marek's now much vaunted engine took longer to complete than expected, so the newcomer was unveiled in 1967 with the straight-six unit of the DB6, with what became known as the DBS V8 finally appearing in 1970. In this form, it could rush to 60mph in as little as 5.9 seconds and on to c.160mph, making it one of the fastest production cars in the world at that time.

This interesting and rare right-hand drive DBS V8 - 1 of just 402 made - vacated the Newport Pagnell production line on November 3rd 1972. Twelve days later it left the UK bound for the Japanese dealer Eastern Motors Company Ltd. A matching numbers example, it has recently returned to these shores following many years in storage, and is now offered as a full restoration project is finished in Green teamed with an Off-White leather interior. Alternatively, according to the vendor, only a degree of recommissioning would be required to make the car sufficiently roadworthy to be treated as a rolling restoration. A provisional inspection suggests that only minor repairs will be needed to the steel frame, and that the alloy doors, boot and bonnet only require the removal of a few superficial dents - the body could then be resprayed in its original or a fresh colour. The carpets will need replacing but the leather upholstery appears totally revivable, which would endow the Aston with a lovely degree of patina. Taking everything into account, the vendor presently grades the bodywork and V8 engine as 'average' and the paintwork and interior trim as 'poor'. The automatic transmission has not been tested, but the engine apparently runs smoothly, revs freely and shows good oil pressure. An exciting and decidedly worthwhile project.

PLEASE NOTE: This lot is 1 of 289 Aston Martin V8 cars built between April 1972 and July 1973 with Bosch Fuel Injection and not 1 of 404 DBS V8 cars as originally catalogued. Of the 289, just 172 were made to right-hand drive, automatic transmission specification with only 7 of those being supplied new to Japan. A rare car indeed!