• Automatic transmission
• Present ownership since 2010
• Dry stored since acquisition
• Requires recommissioning

"Anyone wondering why Aston Martin bother to make their own vee-8 when so many big American ones are so cheaply available need take only one look at the performance data... for the best explanation in the world. Whatever the undisclosed output of the Aston V8, it is enough to rocket this heavy car to 60mph from rest in exactly six seconds and to 100mph in only 14.7 seconds. Much more than this, we were able to reach 138 mph from rest in a mile and on the Continent record a mean maximum speed of 161.5 mph." - Autocar, 8 July 1971.

Although always intended to house the new Tadek Marek-designed V8, the DBS first appeared with the 4-litre six of the concurrently produced DB6. Styled in-house by Bill Towns, the four-seater DBS employed a platform-type chassis with independent suspension all round: wishbone and coil-spring at the front, De Dion with Watts linkage at the rear. Bigger and more luxuriously appointed than the DB6, the heavier DBS disappointed some by virtue of its slightly reduced performance, but there were no complaints when the V8 arrived in 1969. With an estimated 345bhp available from its 5,340cc, fuel-injected, four-cam motor, 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.

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 re-styled front which now featured two instead of four headlamps and recalled the looks of the earlier DB six-cylinder cars. Electronic ignition and air conditioning were now standard. Introduced in 1973, the Series 3 employed a quartet of Weber 42 DCNF carburettors instead of the previous Bosch mechanical fuel injection, the change bringing with it increased torque and necessitating a larger bonnet bulge. Despite the switch, fuel economy improved and even in automatic transmission form the Weber-equipped car proved almost as quick as the preceding manual version.

According to its accompanying car record card, this car was delivered new in Imperial Burgundy with Fawn trim. It was delivered via HW Motors on the 1st June 1978. Unfortunately, little is known of the early history of this automatic transmission Series 3 V8 apart from an entry in the AMOC Register (2000) which records the registration as 'VMP 266S' in 1998. The car was offered by Bonhams in 2009 at the Aston Martin Sale, where it was catalogued as having had a glass out respray in 1996 and outrigger work in 1998. Sadly this documentation has been lost and the only documentation with the car is a Middle Eastern registration card issued in July 2012, which is believed to be approximately when our vendor acquired the Aston. Kept on static display as part of the vendor's extensive private collection, the car will require recommissioning before further use.

Please note that this vehicle is only offered with a photocopy of its old registration document, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.

Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.