1976 Aston Martin V8 Saloon

5,340cc Supercharged DOHC V8 Engine (see text)
4 Dual-Throat Weber Carburetors
Approx. 375bhp at 6,000rpm (see text)
5-Speed Manual Transmission (see text)
4-Wheel Fully Adjustable Independent Suspension (see text)
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Delivered new to the United States
*Fully developed hotrod by Aston Martin specialists Steel Wings
*Holder of the lap record at Lime Rock for an Aston V8
*A gorgeous vehicle in which to be pulled over

THE ASTON MARTIN V8

"After the sale of Aston Martin to 'Company Developments' in January 1972, work started on a comprehensive facelift of the DBS V8, the main visual cue being the adoption of single headlamps and a revised front grille. Now known as the AM V8, the car retained the Bosch mechanical fuel injection system until August 1973, when four twin choke Weber carburetors were fitted, together with updates to the interior trim, a bigger bonnet bulge to clear the carburetor air box, and a redesigned fuel tank to allow more luggage space." – Aston Martin.

The acquisition of Aston Martin by Company Developments in 1972 brought with it a change of name for the V8-engined cars: out went 'DBS V8', in came 'AM V8'. This new 'Series 2' was readily distinguishable by its restyled front which now featured two instead of four headlamps and recalled the looks of the earlier DB six-cylinder sports cars. Electronic ignition and air conditioning were now standard.

Introduced in 1973, the 'Series 3' employed a quartet of Weber 42 DCNF carburetors instead of the previous Bosch mechanical fuel injection, the change bringing with it increased torque and necessitating a larger bonnet bulge. Although not quoted, the power output of the standard car was around 300bhp and even in automatic transmission form the V8 could reach 100mph in around 15 seconds and better 145mph flat-out. Summarizing its 1973 road test of a V8 automatic, Autocar magazine revealed that the new version of the V8 Aston engine with four Weber carburetors and automatic transmission had proved nearly as quick as its manual-transmission fuel-injected predecessor and fractionally more economical, concluding that it was: "A well-equipped car with magnificent stride for long journeys."

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

If you wanted to have a true velvet hammer back in the mid-70s through to the late-80s, the Aston Martin V8 was your sure-fire bet. But if the factory offerings weren't enough to get your rocks off, you could do some aftermarket tweaking and get your fast car to go really fast.

This V8 Saloon was completed in August of 1976 for the United States market in Tudor Green Metallic over Natural leather interior. Fitted with Weber carburetors and an automatic transmission, it was stickered at a lofty $11,000. Fast, but not fast enough, the car was sent to Aston Martin restoration and tuning specialists Steel Wings of Warminster, Pennsylvania in the mid-2000s to be turned up to 11. Keeping the original engine, a supercharger was installed and power was routed through a 5-speed manual transmission to get your eyeballs stuck to the back of your head. To ensure that you could pull lateral G's as well as accelerating ones, Steel Wings fitted custom, adjustable suspension at all four corners. While going and turning is great, stopping is important too and that was improved with a pair of dinner plate-sized Wilwood front disc brakes. Finally, custom 17-inch steel wheels were fitted and the entire car was repainted Slate Blue metallic and retrimmed in Canyon leather with blue piping. Rounding out the package are 'Oscar India' style front and rear splitters, European chrome bumpers, and a leather wrapped roll bar in case the abilities of the car were to ever exceed those of the driver.

Used by Steel Wings as a development car to fine tune their comprehensive package of performance enhancing options, this Aston was taken to Lime Rock where it achieved a track record for a mid-70s Aston V8.

Acquired by the current, speed demon owner in 2008, its tire melting capabilities have been judiciously restrained with minimal use over the last baker's dozen years. Requiring a touch of fettling before taking out and accumulating speeding tickets of your own, this brute-in-a-suit is the perfect car to take anywhere from a racetrack to a black-tie gala. Just be sure to have your license and registration at the ready when the Five-0 inevitably come to ask you if you know how fast you were going back there...