Lot 217: 1977 Aston Martin Series III V8 Saloon

Aston Martin had always planned that the DBS of 1967 would be powered by its new V8 engine, first seen in 5.0 litre form in the Lola-Aston Martin sports-racing cars. Production problems, however, intervened and the DBS used the 4.0 litre, twin overhead camshaft, straight six of the concurrently produced DB6. It was not until September 1967 that the DBS V8 was finally announced, production commencing the following April. With its platform chassis and independent suspension - coil spring/wishbone front, de Dion tube rear with Watt linkage and twin radius arms - the fine handling DBS was a perfect home for Tadek Marek's all-alloy V8. Boasting four overhead camshafts and Bosch electronic fuel injection, the 5,340cc V8 produced an impressive 320bhp at 5,000rpm and 360lb.ft; the resultant 160mph plus performance was nothing short of staggering in 1970. After David Brown sold Aston Martin in February 1972 the DBS V8 was replaced by the Series 2 model, now simply called the Aston Martin V8. Gone were the four headlamps and slatted grille, in their place a black mesh grille flanked by single headlamps; mechanical changes were limited to electronic ignition and standard air conditioning. August 1973 saw the Series 3 arrive with quadruple Weber carburettors, larger bonnet bulge, improved seats and central locking; power for this model rose to 304bhp in June 1977. First registered on November 1st 1977, chassis number V8/11766/RCAS was recently fully refurbished, with the chassis, sills, carpets and headlining all being comprehensively overhauled, and at a cost of more than £6,000. Finished in dark blue with black leather interior with beige carpets, it is fitted with automatic transmission and auxiliary driving lamps. The car also comes complete with a comprehensive service and maintenance history and a current MoT test certificate. A triumph of fine British engineering.