Lot 120: 1975 Aston Martin V8 Saloon

This manual transmission Aston Martin V8 was supplied new by the factory on 20th May 1975 to Paul E Bevan, of Ascot. Mr Bevan retained his personal number plate ‘PEB I’ when the car passed to next owner Theodore Gikas, of Maida Vale in May 1977 when it was re-registered ‘JJH 26IN’. Michael Urban, Chairman of AMOC, bought the V8 in June 1983 and later wrote to the present owner: “The car at that time was fitted with a 3.31 ratio rear axle which was ideal for my Continental driving at it would cruise at 120mph for about 3/3,500 revs.” (The car is still capable of almost 70 mph in first gear). During the period that Mr Urban owned the car, he loaned it for hill climbs, sprints, etc to John Waits who won a first prize at Goodwood. (A plaque on the dashboard commemorates this win in 1983). Mr Urban fitted the Vantage nose spoiler currently fitted as in his opinion it improved the car’s looks. Later, in 1983, Mr Urban changed the registration to ‘SVD 62’. The car was subsequently sold by Goldsmith & Young Ltd to Martin Triggs, of West Malling, Kent in March 1985 and in August that same year to Sargeants of Goudhurst (Rolls-Royce & Bentley specialists). The latter retained the registration ‘SVD 62’ when the car was sold (with its present registration) to James Elvy, of Mayfield in December 1985. The current owner bought the car in July 1987 via Sargeants, who continued to service it until 2003 when L D D took over. There is an extensive service history, mainly since 1985 but also some dating from Michael Urban’s period of ownership. The vendor advises us that he has used the car frequently but sparingly, adding only around 24,000 miles in the past 19 years, mainly on private tours to France but also on the 1999 Lagonda Centenary Rally (as a stand-in for his 1932 Lagonda) and on the 2000 Euroclassic to Budapest when it was, he says, a delight to drive round the Hungaroring! The total recorded mileage is approaching 131,000. Finished in silver with tan leather interior, the latter equipped with CD player, the car is offered with 1983 competition and 2000 Euroclassic photographs, all expired MoTs since 1987, current road fund licence, MoT to March 2007 and Swansea V5 document. The original 8-track tape player also is available.