Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 186 *
1985 Aston Martin V8 7.0-Litre Sports Saloon Chassis no. SCFCV81S2GTR12491 Engine no. V580/2491/S
Sold for €155,250 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 186*
Matching numbers engine
1985 Aston Martin V8 7.0-Litre Sports Saloon
1985 Aston Martin V8 7.0-Litre Sports Saloon
1985 Aston Martin V8 7.0-Litre Sports Saloon
Chassis no. SCFCV81S2GTR12491
Engine no. V580/2491/S
Chassis no. SCFCV81S2GTR12491
Engine no. V580/2491/S
• Improved 'Oscar India' model
• Automatic transmission
• Left-hand drive (see text)
• Present ownership since circa 2017
• Offered from an extensive private collection
• Requires recommissioning
Shortly after reorganisation under new ownership as AML (1975) Ltd, Aston Martin resumed development of its highly successful V8. A host of improvements was to be incorporated in the forthcoming Series 4, scheduled for introduction in October 1978. Built from then until 1986, these cars are generally known by the factory's 'Oscar India' sobriquet, standing for 'October Introduction'. The most obvious differences were a restyled bonnet and boot-mounted spoiler, while the cabin received a redesigned dashboard and centre console, and the headlining became leather rather than cloth. There were, of course, countless other improvements, most notably to the air conditioning and shock absorber settings. Prior to the OI's arrival, the factory had introduced a 'Stage 1' engine tune in January 1977, these improved units being identified by an 'S' suffix to the number, as with this car. The 'S' engine continued in the Series 4 models as the standard power unit, the more powerful Vantage being identified by the suffix 'V'.
Autocar magazine found much to commend in the 'Oscar India' tested in October 1978, reckoning that this latest example from the Newport Pagnell factory stood out as the best-built and most competently finished car it have ever known Aston Martin produce. "It sets new standards of excellence for the company," declared the esteemed British motoring magazine. "In the past there has always been a slightly niggly feeling that one was paying an awful lot of money for a car of rather indifferent trim standards, in which the fabulous performance was not matched by the way the car was put together. Not so any more - the car is a delight, whether to drive, to travel in, or simply to look at."
This Series 3 V8 saloon benefits from conversion to 7.0-litre specification. It is not known who carried out the conversion, but it is most likely to have been R S Williams Ltd, the originators of this popular upgrade. Based at Cobham, Surrey, Richard Stewart Williams Ltd is one of the most respected of the independent firms specialising in Aston Martins. With several decades of engineering and motor racing experience with the marque, R S Williams is synonymous with performance at all levels of motor sport ranging from club and historic racing through to the Aston Martin factory World Sports Car Championship effort including the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The company's 7.0-litre engine conversion is offered in three different configurations: automatic specification which concentrates on mid-range torque to suit the automatic gear change characteristics; manual specification based on a 580X Vantage; and fuel injected specification for ultimate performance, all of which run on unleaded fuel. The package includes upgrades to engine mountings, differential mountings and the differential carrier, while handling and brake upgrades are available also.
Popular Classics' Mark Dixon was impressed by its vital statistics: "Your average Aston Martin V8 of the late seventies puts out roughly 330bhp from its 5.3-litre engine, respectable enough, but not excessive given the weight of the car it has to push around. The RSW 7-litre offers a rather more impressive 510bhp at 5500rpm and, even more importantly, 520lb/ft of torque at 4000rpm. Let's put that into perspective: the figures for Lamborghini's Diablo are 485bhp and 428lb/ft respectively." It is hoped that confirmation of who carried out this car's conversion will have been obtained by time of sale.
Chassis number '12491' was delivered new via Marshall (Cambridge) Ltd and first registered to JCT 600 of Bradford, West Yorkshire as 'JCT 2'. The car left the factory finished in Winchester Blue with blue-piped Magnolia leather interior. Little else is known of its early history, although the AMOC Register (2000) records the car being registered in the UK as 'C668 MHD' and belonging to a member called Pearce at that time. Given that '12491' was delivered new in the UK with an mph speedometer, it seems likely that it was built with right-hand drive. It is now left-hand drive. The current vendor purchased the car circa 2017, since when it has been kept in dry storage as part of their extensive private collection in the Middle East. Recommissioning will be required before further use.
Please note that if this vehicle remains within Belgium the reduced rate of Import VAT at 6% will be charged on the hammer price. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, the VAT amount will be calculated based on your registered countries rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances with the Bonhams Customs Agents. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
Please note that this vehicle is offered without any original registration documents, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.
• Automatic transmission
• Left-hand drive (see text)
• Present ownership since circa 2017
• Offered from an extensive private collection
• Requires recommissioning
Shortly after reorganisation under new ownership as AML (1975) Ltd, Aston Martin resumed development of its highly successful V8. A host of improvements was to be incorporated in the forthcoming Series 4, scheduled for introduction in October 1978. Built from then until 1986, these cars are generally known by the factory's 'Oscar India' sobriquet, standing for 'October Introduction'. The most obvious differences were a restyled bonnet and boot-mounted spoiler, while the cabin received a redesigned dashboard and centre console, and the headlining became leather rather than cloth. There were, of course, countless other improvements, most notably to the air conditioning and shock absorber settings. Prior to the OI's arrival, the factory had introduced a 'Stage 1' engine tune in January 1977, these improved units being identified by an 'S' suffix to the number, as with this car. The 'S' engine continued in the Series 4 models as the standard power unit, the more powerful Vantage being identified by the suffix 'V'.
Autocar magazine found much to commend in the 'Oscar India' tested in October 1978, reckoning that this latest example from the Newport Pagnell factory stood out as the best-built and most competently finished car it have ever known Aston Martin produce. "It sets new standards of excellence for the company," declared the esteemed British motoring magazine. "In the past there has always been a slightly niggly feeling that one was paying an awful lot of money for a car of rather indifferent trim standards, in which the fabulous performance was not matched by the way the car was put together. Not so any more - the car is a delight, whether to drive, to travel in, or simply to look at."
This Series 3 V8 saloon benefits from conversion to 7.0-litre specification. It is not known who carried out the conversion, but it is most likely to have been R S Williams Ltd, the originators of this popular upgrade. Based at Cobham, Surrey, Richard Stewart Williams Ltd is one of the most respected of the independent firms specialising in Aston Martins. With several decades of engineering and motor racing experience with the marque, R S Williams is synonymous with performance at all levels of motor sport ranging from club and historic racing through to the Aston Martin factory World Sports Car Championship effort including the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The company's 7.0-litre engine conversion is offered in three different configurations: automatic specification which concentrates on mid-range torque to suit the automatic gear change characteristics; manual specification based on a 580X Vantage; and fuel injected specification for ultimate performance, all of which run on unleaded fuel. The package includes upgrades to engine mountings, differential mountings and the differential carrier, while handling and brake upgrades are available also.
Popular Classics' Mark Dixon was impressed by its vital statistics: "Your average Aston Martin V8 of the late seventies puts out roughly 330bhp from its 5.3-litre engine, respectable enough, but not excessive given the weight of the car it has to push around. The RSW 7-litre offers a rather more impressive 510bhp at 5500rpm and, even more importantly, 520lb/ft of torque at 4000rpm. Let's put that into perspective: the figures for Lamborghini's Diablo are 485bhp and 428lb/ft respectively." It is hoped that confirmation of who carried out this car's conversion will have been obtained by time of sale.
Chassis number '12491' was delivered new via Marshall (Cambridge) Ltd and first registered to JCT 600 of Bradford, West Yorkshire as 'JCT 2'. The car left the factory finished in Winchester Blue with blue-piped Magnolia leather interior. Little else is known of its early history, although the AMOC Register (2000) records the car being registered in the UK as 'C668 MHD' and belonging to a member called Pearce at that time. Given that '12491' was delivered new in the UK with an mph speedometer, it seems likely that it was built with right-hand drive. It is now left-hand drive. The current vendor purchased the car circa 2017, since when it has been kept in dry storage as part of their extensive private collection in the Middle East. Recommissioning will be required before further use.
Please note that if this vehicle remains within Belgium the reduced rate of Import VAT at 6% will be charged on the hammer price. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, the VAT amount will be calculated based on your registered countries rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances with the Bonhams Customs Agents. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
Please note that this vehicle is offered without any original registration documents, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.
Saleroom notices
Respected Aston Martin specialists, R S Williams Ltd, have confirmed that they carried out the conversion to 7-Litre specification for fellow Aston specialist Ian Mason Limited. Records of the conversion are still held by R S Williams Ltd. Furthermore we can confirm the steering conversion from right to left-hand drive was undertaken by AML's Works Service division in June 2006, as confirmed by a plate affixed to the car.
Additional information
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| * | Import low rate |
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