1974 Aston Martin V8 Series 3

Hand-built at Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell factory, each Aston Martin V8 took in the region of 1,200 man-hours to complete, with each car inspected rigorously to ensure the continued upkeep of AM’s legendary build quality and reputation.

The Aston Martin V8 (later known as the AMV8) was introduced in 1969 to replace the ageing DB6, with the brief being to create a handsome, powerful GT car, powered by Tadek Marek’s V8 engine, and remained atop the company’s model range until its retirement in 1989.

Initially, the V8 was equipped with a Bosch fuel injection system for the first two models (known as the V8 and AMV8, respectively) though the Series 3 models - such as the one we have here - switched back to a carburettor setup, with four twin-choke Weber carburettors providing fuel for the V8 engine, with these cars being instantly recognisable due to the bulge in the bonnet to accommodate the additional height of the carbs.

Allegedly, this change was due to stricter CA emissions affecting model sales and legislation, though rumour has it that the change was implemented due to ongoing difficulties with the Bosch injection system. Of course, tightening emissions controls and the switch from injection to carburettor-fed fuelling resulted in a slight drop in performance, with the Series 3 rated at 288bhp, though a ‘Stage 1’ pack boosted this to 305bhp, thanks to a re-profiled camshaft and enlarged exhausts.

Production of the Series 3 models was carried out between 1973 and October 1978, though no examples were built during the entirety of 1975. As a result, only 967 examples were produced before the Series 4 ‘Oscar India’ models were introduced in October 1978. UK-supplied, this 1974-registered Series 3, manual gearbox car was delivered new by Charles Hurst Aston Martin of Belfast, as one of those 967 Series 3 examples..

From the factory, this was a handsomely-specified example, featuring numerous desirable additions to its factory specification list, including the following options:

• Electric sunroof
• Headlamp wipers
• Bumper over-riders
• Side market lights
• Rear fog lights
• Air-conditioning
• Lockable centre arm-rest

In 1986, whilst in the hands of one of the early owners - a Mr Robinson of Leicestershire - the car was given a full-body respray from its factory Imperial Blue to a metallic green colour, in which it remained until 2017. The car changed hands twice between 2000 and 2017, with the owners continuing Mr Robinson’s cherished ownership and regular maintenance, with an extensive history folder, including 22 stamps from Kensington-based specialist Ian Mason and supporting the cherished ownership of the car during this era. In 2017, the car passed to a Mr Hammond, who not only set about addressing the numerous wear-and-tear issues gained over years of enjoyment, but also commissioned a bare-metal respray back to its original Imperial Blue along with a re-trim of the original Cream interior to the tune of c. £8,000 along with other works such as re-chromed bumpers, new window and door rubbers, a new windscreen, refurbishment of the alloy wheels and a programme of rustproofing to ensure this S3’s continued survival.

In the years since, this wonderful V8 has been continually cosseted and cherished by DM Historics, and presents in outstanding condition throughout, with no signs of any major wear to the paint or bodywork, a near-pristine interior and a history file that would make any enthusiast hot-under-the-collar. A true gem of a Series 3 V8, with a rare manual gearbox, matching-numbers and restored to the highest standards irrespective of cost by its history of dedicated and enthusiastic owners, this is an opportunity not to be missed by any Aston Martin V8 enthusiast or collector.