Lot 109: 1979 Aston Martin V8 Osca India

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 rose to 304bhp in June 1977. Finished in Madagascar brown with a magnolia leather interior this 'Oscar India' Aston V8 was the subject of a 20,000 restoration in 1990 by Aston specialist Ian Mason, bills and receipts for this work are supplied. Currently showing 81,000 miles the car has a long service history and is described by its owner as in good running condition with an excellent gearbox. It comes with an MoT until September 2005, the V5 logbook and original owners handbook.