Lot 130: 1979 Aston Martin V8 Automatic Saloon

Known as 'Oscar India' in factory parlance, the Aston Martin V8 Series 4 arrived in October 1978 boasting a revised bonnet and boot lid tail spoiler. The interior became even more opulent, gaining the Volante's wood-embellished fascia together with leather headlining, re-styled centre console and improved air conditioning. The latter was by now standard equipment, as was power-assisted steering, limited-slip differential, electric window lifts and heated rear window. Automatic was the standard transmission offering, five-speed manual an option, and even when equipped with the former the V8 could reach 100mph in around 15 seconds and better 145mph flat-out. Summarising its 1973 roadtest of a V8 automatic, Autocar magazine concluded: "A well-equipped car with magnificent stride for long journeys." Performance Car, also testing a V8 Auto, reckoned its makers "have set out - it has been so for years - to make a car of character, with a chassis of conventional but exceptional ability and manners, with enough performance from its hand-built engine to stand most comparisons and the prestige of English bespoke coachbuilding." Finished in Aztec Gold with parchment leather interior, this automatic-transmission V8 was first registered in Jersey before coming into the present owner’s hands in 1980. The car has covered some 68,000-or-so miles in total from new, only 2,000 of which have been driven in the past 16 years. It benefits from a major refurbishment undertaken at Works Service in 1989 that included overhauling the cylinder heads, brakes and suspension, replacing the body’s steel inner sills and servicing the transmission at a cost of more than £12,000 (invoice included). The car is offered with other service invoices, current road fund licence, MoT to November 2006 and Swansea V5 registration document.