Lot 238: Aston Martin V8 Oscar India to Vantage Specification

The six cylinder William Towns styled DBS had been around for a couple of years anxiously awaiting the V8 engine that had been especially designed for it. And in early 1970 the DBS V8 was finally made available - to become one of the fastest cars available at the time. The 5.3 litre Tadek Marek designed engine was able to develop around 320bhp which gave the ability to reach 160 mph. All this with space for four people. Demand for the car was great with production reaching 402 examples within just two years of production starting. From April 1972, the DBS V8 received a mild restyle and a new name. The 'DB' was dropped as David Brown had sold the company and the car became known simply as the 'Aston Martin V8'. The most visible change was the adoption of two seven inch quartz iodine headlamps and black mesh grille, the design of which was the work of the original designer, William Towns. The 'Oscar India' specification was introduced in October 1978 at the Birmingham International Motor Show. Visually, the former scoop on the bonnet gave way to a closed 'power bulge', while a spoiler was integrated into the tail. Most Oscar India cars were equipped with a Chrysler 'Torqueflite' 3-speed automatic transmission, with wood trim fitted for the first time since the DB2/4 of the 1950s. Just 352 Oscar India models were built from 1978 through to 1985. (Oscar India - October Introduction). Originally purchased by Peter Cadbury, a British entrepreneur and son of Egbert Cadbury of Cadbury's Chocolate, he started his professional career not in the family firm as I most certainly would have done! He became a test pilot on fast jets and then a barrister before borrowing £75,000 from his father and acquiring the Keith Prowse theatre booking agency. His lavish lifestyle included yachts, racehorses and house all over the world. And, quite naturally, cars which is where this last-of-the-line Oscar India fits. It was during a later owner, a Mr. J. Hall in 1990, that the Vantage Pack, costing over £23,000 and carried out by renowned specialists, Aston Engineering of Derby, was installed. As you would expect, the automatic gearbox was also replaced with a manual five speed unit. With only 40,000 miles since the upgrade, this powerful example will also come with a full service and MoT test certificate as well as registration, similar to the factory plates, AMV 111T. All these upgrades bring the car up to 1989 Vantage specification with additional sympathetic cosmetic enhancements such as the original Ronal wheels and latest electric mirrors. Subtle improvements to add and enhance its driver appeal. The brakes are also of a more serious nature with four pot units, upgraded suspension, and a large bore stainless steel exhaust. With 425bhp on tap, the 'music' outside reflects the music inside with additional central locking, alarm and an enhanced but subtle sound system. An extremely well considered and powerful product from Tickford Street, Newport Pagnall.