Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 124
1971 Aston Martin DBS V8 Sports Saloon Chassis no. DBSV8/10125/LC Engine no. V/540/009/EE
Sold for US$50,400 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 124
1971 Aston Martin DBS V8 Sports Saloon
1971 Aston Martin DBS V8 Sports Saloon
Chassis no. DBSV8/10125/LC
Engine no. V/540/009/EE
Chassis no. DBSV8/10125/LC
Engine no. V/540/009/EE
5,340 cc DOHC V8 Engine
Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection
320bhp at 5,000rpm
3-Speed Torqueflite Automatic Transmission
Front Wishbones with Coil Springs, Rear De Dion Axle with Watts Link
4-Wheel Ventilated Disc Brakes
* A desirable left-drive, USA specification example
*The first model in a long line of V8 Astons
*Crisply styled by the brilliant Willam Towns
*Optional air conditioning, automatic gearbox, power steering
*Retains its numbers-matching original engine
*Renowned performance and continent-crushing ability
*Offered from long-term ownership of a serial marque collector
*Requires recommissioning
THE ASTON MARTIN DBS V8
Although always intended to house the new Tadek Marek-designed V8 engine, the Aston Martin DBS first appeared with the 4.0-litre 'six' of the concurrently produced DB6. Styled in-house by Bill Towns, the beautiful DBS caused quite a stir, Autocar magazine observing that "Without the aid of an Italian stylist the Newport Pagnell team came up with something as modern, handsome and Italianate as anything from the Turin coachbuilders at that time". Although less well known as such than the earlier 'DB' series, the DBS is yet another 'James Bond' Aston Martin, having featured in the 1969 motion picture, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, starring George Lazenby as the eponymous secret agent.
A full four-seater, the 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 any complaints were vanquished when the V8 arrived in 1969. With an estimated 320bhp available from its 5,340cc, fuel-injected, four-cam engine, the DBS V8 could reach 100mph in under 14 seconds, running on to a top speed of 160mph - staggering performance in those days and one which fully justified the claim that it was the fastest four-seat production car in the world. Even in automatic transmission form the V8 could reach 100mph in around 15 seconds and better 145mph flat-out.
THE CAR OFFERED
Aston Martin produced just 402 examples of the DBS V8, and chassis number 10125/LC is a USA-market car, delivered new to a doctor in September 1971. Factory records show this car was well-optioned with desirable kit including air conditioning, a Chrysler-supplied Torqueflite automatic gearbox, power steering, and a Lear Jet stereo system.
As offered, this DBS is in well-preserved condition, having been refinished from its original green to the current ivory over a parchment leather interior, accented with red carpets. The interior is particularly well-preserved, with details such as a leather- and wood-clad wheel, glossy wood trim, and a period aftermarket Blaupunkt cassette/stereo. Other pleasing touches outside include factory alloy wheels, Marchal headlamps and rectangular pendulum-mount Lucas fog lamps. Since joining the consignor's extensive Aston Martin collection in 2008, having been acquired from marque experts Sports & Specialist Cars in New Jersey, it has been on static display in a dry climate and would make a fine basis for additional restoration or preservation work. It has not been started while in Bonham's care and will require recommissioning.
The Aston Martin DBS V8 is a quintessential 70s-era Grand Tourer, setting the stage for the resounding success of subsequent V8 models throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with its muscular good looks and distinctly British character.
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