Lot 216: 1972 Aston Martin DBS V8 Saloon

David Brown wanted to take Aston Martin to new heights and to do that, AM needed a powerful V8 engine to replace the straight six. Launched at the 1967 London Show and the first all-new model for many years, the DBS would be powered by the new V8 engine. In the interim however, due to delays developing the V8, the straight six of the concurrently produced DB6 Mk 2 was installed. The wait was obviously worthwhile as the engine was in production until very recently, albeit in heavily modified form. The new twin cam V8 engine produced a staggering 375bhp in standard form, enough to propel the car to a top speed of 160mph, unbelievable for an early 1970's 4 seater car weighing nearly 2 tons! At a stroke, the emergence of the DBS V8 gave Aston Martin one of, if not the fastest car in the world.The car we have on offer here today was manufactured in 1972 and was one of the last David Brown models. Featuring the rare single headlamp arrangement and fitted with the rare manual gearbox, the car is finished in Silver Sand with black leather trim and is said to be in very good condition. The car has been with its present owner since 1996 and has been dry stored ever since and believed to have been stored in similar conditions since 1984. Throughout the cars life, much money has been spent on all the major components of the car with bills to substantiate this. During 1997/98, the car benefited from a major overhaul by Jack Moss of Four Ashes Garage. Since this major work, the car has only covered 2,817 miles, with the total mileage standing at just 78,402.The car is very original including the original fuel injection with Opus ignition. It has a fully documented history dating back to its first MoT in January 1981 and a current certificate valid until May 2006. In good condition and with a well documented history this attractive DBS is a very fine example of a model that is rapidly increasing in value and desirability.