1974 Aston Martin V8 Barnfind

Aston Martin's customers had been clamouring for an eight-cylinder car for years, so Aston Martin designed a larger two-door saloon for V8 applications. The engine was not ready, however, so in 1967 the company released the DBS with the straight-six Vantage engine from the DB6. Two years later, Tadek Marek's V8 was ready, and Aston released the DBS V8. With the demise of the straight-six Vantage in 1973, the DBS V8, now restyled and called simply the Aston Martin V8, became the company's mainstream car for nearly two decades. It was retired in favour of the Virage in 1989. Now fast emerging from the shadow of their DB predecessors, the Aston Martin V8 is a highly desirable and appreciating classic Aston Martin.

This 1974 Aston Martin V8 is an original UK right-hand drive, automatic, single headlight V8 carburettor car supplied new by Donaldson and Evans. It has been owned by the current vendor for some 21 years. We are told "XYY 140M' was last ran some 11 years ago when at this time the current vendor then decided to lay the car up where it has stayed ever since. The speedometer is showing 79,901 miles which is believed genuine, and the last MoT was issued June 2003 with a recorded mileage of 79,853 miles.

Originally presented in Metallic Blue, this car was re sprayed by the current vendor in Silver carried out by Wolf Garage (previously called Donaldson and Evans where the car was originally supplied new). The interior is presented in delightful contrasting blue leather.

The vendor informs us that during his ownership of the last 21 years he has had the sills replaced, new inner and outer chills with accompanying outriggers, a front and rear suspension replacement courtesy of the Aston Workshop together with a new manifold, and brake discs. There are receipts from the Aston Workshop for chassis repairs, suspension work, servicing and sundry items. Receipts from the Wolf Garage for bodywork and change of colour from blue to silver are also included. Receipts from Greenfield service station for engine and exhaust work and a receipt for a stainless exhaust, guaranteed for 25 years when bought in 1986, are included. Receipt for work undertaken on new outriggers, jacking points and sills. The entire above work amounted to around £13,000 spent over the course of the vendor's ownership.

Also included in the substantial history file is an entry sticker to the Saddleworth Show in 1994 where the car was displayed. Seven MoT certificates for the seven years between 1992 and end of 2003 are present. During that period the mileage increased from 76,767 to 79,853 only. The busiest year during that period only registered 1,000 miles. The vendor states he always used to insure it for just 1,500 miles a year but never actually reached that level. Supplied with its original owners' instruction handbook it hints at the fantastic performance of the car reading, "it is respectfully suggested that the car be driven with extra care until the owner has become thoroughly attuned to its high level of performance".

On the face of it this iconic motor car appears to be in extremely original condition and would make an excellent winter project. Nevertheless the whole car is offered in need of restoration and is offered with no current MoT. The mechanical condition of the car is unknown.

This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a fast appreciating Aston Martin V8 offered with no reserve, which is ideal for restoration or a rebuild to your own specification. Following recent results, this car is surely worthy of consideration.