Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 101
1979 Aston Martin V8 Series 3 Sports Saloon Chassis no. V8/11843/LCA Engine no. V540/1843/LFA
Sold for US$44,800 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 101
1979 Aston Martin V8 Series 3 Sports Saloon
1979 Aston Martin V8 Series 3 Sports Saloon
Chassis no. V8/11843/LCA
Engine no. V540/1843/LFA
Chassis no. V8/11843/LCA
Engine no. V540/1843/LFA
5,340cc DOHC V8 Engine
4 Dual-Throat Weber Carburetors
300bhp at 6,000rpm
3-Speed Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*Delivered new to New Jersey
*Elegantly trimmed in Royal Claret over Natural leather
*A brute in a suit
*Documented by copies of its factory build records
THE ASTON MARTIN V8
Aston Martin had always intended the DBS to house its new V8 engine, but production difficulties meant that the car first appeared with the DB6's 4.0-liter six. Bigger and more luxuriously appointed than the DB6, the heavyweight DBS disappointed some by virtue of its slightly reduced performance, but there were no complaints when the V8 finally arrived in 1969. With an estimated 315bhp available from its 5,340cc four-cam engine, the DBS V8 could reach 100mph in under 14 seconds, running on to a top speed of 160mph, a staggering performance in those days and one which fully justified the claim that it was the fastest production car in the world. After Aston Martin's acquisition by Company Developments in 1972, production resumed with the Series 2, now known as the Aston Martin V8 and distinguishable by a restyled front end recalling the looks of earlier Astons. The most successful Aston Martin ever, the V8 survived the changes of ownership and financial upheavals of the 1970s, enjoying a record-breaking production run lasting from 1969 to 1988, with 2,919 cars sold.
Described by former Aston Martin Chairman Victor Gauntlett as "a stylish thoroughbred, beautifully built, luxurious, fast and immensely safe," the V8 was built in several variants
THE CAR OFFERED
According to copies of Aston Martin's factory build records, this elegant V8 Volante was hand built at Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell plant during the early spring of 1979. The car was equipped with a left-hand-drive steering arrangement and the 3-speed automatic transmission. It was finished in Royal Calret Metallic over a Natural leather interior, Woburn Sand carpeting and a Natural headliner. It was distributed through Aston Martin Lagonda, Inc and sold to its first owner, Dr. Marco Fernando of Jersey City, New Jersey, a groundbreaking trauma surgeon who performed the first microsurgery in his home state, on May 12, 1979.
The early history of this Aston is, as yet, not recorded but it appears to have remained in the United States and sparingly used. Appearing to be largely original, the European-style chrome bumpers suit the car nicely. Inside, a 40-channel CB radio microphone that appears to have been installed when the car was relatively new speaks to the life of an on-call trauma surgeon in the era before pagers and cell phones.
Purchased by the vendor in 2013, the car has been undriven and on static display for the past decade and change. Given its long period of limited use, mechanical recommissioning is recommended prior to active use.
Footnotes
Due to CA emissions laws, please note that this vehicle may only be sold to an out-of-state resident for use outside of CA or to a licensed automotive dealership.
Saleroom notices
Due to CA emissions laws, please note that this vehicle may only be sold to an out-of-state resident for use outside of CA or to a licensed automotive dealership.
Additional information
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