1972 Aston Martin V8

Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris|6 February 2025, 14:00 CET|Paris, The Grand Palais Historique

1972 Aston Martin V8
Chassis no. V8/10519/RCA
Engine no. V/540/376

• Only 289 units ever built
• AMHT report and FIVA identity card on file
• Complete file of restoration invoices
• Fitted with a Motorola 818 Aston Martin radio upgraded with Bluetooth
• French registration document

The Aston Martins following the DB6 were influenced by the design trends of the 60s and 70s, drawing inspiration from America's muscle cars. The engine, developed by Tadek Marek, was a key element, evolving from the DBR2 racing car to the 5.3-litre V8 in the 1969 DBS V8 series 1. In 1972, Aston Martin was acquired by Company Developments, and the DBS V8 name was replaced by AM V8.

The Series 2 featured several changes, including halogen headlights, a mesh grille, a new bonnet scoop, Bosch fuel injection, electronic ignition, and standard air conditioning. With Bosch fuel injection, the Series 2 remained the most powerful of the standard V8s until the V8 Vantage in 1977. Each car was meticulously crafted over 1,200 man-hours, embodying Aston Martin's unwavering dedication to unparalleled craftsmanship and precision, truly a masterpiece in every sense.

Delivered new in RHD and manual transmission and registered on 9 May 1972 by its first owner just a few miles from the Aston Martin factory, this V8 originally featured a Cairngorm Brown exterior with an Olive interior. According to the Aston Martin Heritage Trust Collections Research Report, it is the last wearing the DBS and DBS V8 badges.

The Aston Martin Heritage Trust report traces its history, indicating two subsequent owners before it arrived in Okehampton, UK, where an Aston Martin Owners Club member retained it from 1978 to 2006. It was then registered to a British historic classic racing sports car specialist before joining, in 2010, the Aston Martin collection of a prominent Emir, who commissioned its current striking configuration: Hermès-style orange with left-hand drive.

Acquired by the current owner in 2022, it underwent restoration by Le Clos de Calatrava in collaboration with Aston Martin Works UK. Having completed its running-in period in October 2024 (more than 2,600 km), this remarkable V8 is ready to embark on an exciting new chapter with its next owner.

Footnotes

1972 Aston Martin V8

Chassis n° V8/10519/RCA
Engine n° V/540/376

• Seulement 289 modèles produits
• Rapport Aston Martin Heritage Trust
et FIVA Identity Card au dossier
• Dossier complet de factures de restauration
• Equipée d'une radio Motorola 818
Aston Martin modernisée avec Bluetooth
• Carte grise française

Les Aston Martin qui ont suivi la DB6 ont été influencées par les tendances design des années 60 et 70, s'inspirant des muscle cars américaines. Le moteur, développé par Tadek Marek, a été un élément clé, évoluant du moteur de la DBR2 vers un V8 de 5,3 litres dans la DBS V8 de 1969 (série 1). En 1972, Aston Martin fut acquis par Company Developments, et le nom DBS V8 fut remplacé par AM V8.

La série 2 a apporté plusieurs changements, dont des phares simples à halogène, une calandre en maille, une nouvelle prise d'air sur le capot, l'injection Bosch, un allumage électronique, et la climatisation en série. Avec l'injection Bosch, la série 2 est restée la plus puissante des V8 standards jusqu'à l'arrivée du V8 Vantage en 1977. Chaque voiture, minutieusement assemblée lors de 1 200 heures de travail, reflète l'engagement d'Aston Martin envers un artisanat et une précision inégalée, faisant de chaque pièce un véritablement un chef-d'œuvre par tous ses aspects.

Livrée neuve en conduite à droite et boîte manuelle, immatriculée le 9 mai 1972 par son premier propriétaire à quelques kilomètres de l'usine Aston Martin, cette V8 se présentait alors avec un extérieur Cairngorn Brown et intérieur Olive. Selon le rapport édité par Aston Martin Heritage Trust, elle est la dernière à arborer les badges DBS et DBS V8.

Selon ce dernier rapport, elle connait a priori deux autres propriétaires avant de rejoindre Okehampton GB où son propriétaire membre de l'Aston Martin Owners Club la conservera de 1978 à 2006. Elle est ensuite immatriculée au nom d'un spécialiste anglais des autos classiques de compétition, avant de rejoindre en 2010 la collection d'Aston Martin d'un grand émir qui lui donnera sa configuration Pop actuelle, orange de style Hermès, en conduite à gauche.

L'actuel propriétaire en fait l'acquisition en 2022, Le Clos de Calatrava entreprend alors sa restauration en collaboration avec Aston Martin Works UK. Sortie de sa période de rodage (plus de 2 600 km) en octobre 2024, cette remarquable V8 est prête à rejoindre son nouveau propriétaire.

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