1973 Aston Martin V8 Series 2 Sports Saloon

• Delivered new in the UK
• Automatic transmission
• Recent respray and other refurbishment

Although always intended to house the new Tadek Marek-designed V8 engine, Aston Martin's first such car - the DBS - first appeared with the 4.0-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 320bhp 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. Even in automatic transmission form the V8 could reach 100mph in around 15 seconds and better 145mph flat-out.

In 1972 the acquisition of Aston Martin by Company Developments 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 restyled front that now featured two instead of four headlamps and recalled the looks of the earlier DB six-cylinder cars. Arguably the most elegant of all 'single headlight' Aston Martin V8s, this first version (generally known as the Series 2) retained many details of the original four-headlight DBS V8: chrome instrument bezels and switch gear, chrome headlight surrounds, lower bonnet scoop, and no side lamps. Electronic ignition and air conditioning were now standard. Only 289 examples were made between April 1972 and July 1973, of which 32 were left-hand drive. With an estimated 320bhp on tap, these Bosch fuel-injected cars were also the most powerful of all standard V8s, only bettered by the V8 Vantage introduced in 1977.

This automatic transmission model was delivered new to the UK in Cairngorm Brown with a Natural interior trim. In the 1990s, the car was subject to £13,000 by The Aston Workshop. In current ownership, the vendor has carried out the following works: a respray; refurbished wheels; new carpets and soundproofing; service and MoT; new battery and HT leads; and refurbished interior. There are various invoices on file detailing much of the work.