Description
Although always intended to house the new Tadek Marek-designed V8, the DBS first appeared with the 4.0-litre six of the concurrently produced DB6. Styled in-house by Bill Towns, the four-seater DBS employed a platform-type chassis with independent suspension all round: wishbone and coil-spring at the front, De Dion with Watts linkage at the rear. Bigger and more luxuriously appointed than the DB6, the heavier DBS disappointed some by virtue of its slightly reduced performance, but there were no complaints when the V8 arrived in 1969.
After the sale of Aston Martin to ‘Company Developments’ in January 1972, work started on a comprehensive facelift of the DBSV8, the main visual cue being the adoption of single headlamps and a revised front grille. Now known as the AMV8, the car retained the Bosch mechanical fuel injection system until August 1973, when four twin choke Weber carburettors were fitted, together with updates to the interior trim, a bigger bonnet bulge to clear the carburettor air box and a re-designed fuel tank to allow more luggage space.
Purchased by the vendors father brand new direct from Aston Martin Lagonda in Newport Pagnell, for Mr J V R Bullough of Underfell, Barbon, Nr Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria; a well known customer to Aston Martin who purchased a new vehicle every two years in the same colour, specifically, Deep Carriage Green with black interior.
Delivered new to the UK in 1973 this Aston, like so many others at the time, went through a succession of 2 owners, until a Mr Frost from Worthing sold the car in 1983 to a Mr Ian Miles of Ashford in Kent. Miles, the cars fourth owner, moved to New Zealand and decided to take the car with him. The file contains various bills and receipts from Richard Stuart Williams before its export. Bills in the file also confirm 17,000 NZ dollars were spent on an engine rebuild.
Repatriated to the UK in 2015 the car is now with its 5th owner and is resplendent in a wonderfully original condition. On returning to the UK the car was given a running over by marque specialist and supplied with a new MoT – the carburettor engine runs very smoothly indeed. Offered with its original owner’s manual and a host of bills and receipts this car has to be seen to be appreciated.
