1984 Aston Martin V8 Series 4 'Oscar India'

• Purchased new by its first and only registered keeper on 07/03/1984 via Aston Martin Sales Ltd
• The owner, the Chairman of the National Bank of Dubai, kept the car at home in London
• Delivered in Salisbury Blue coachwork with Magnolia hide and automatic transmission
• Chiltern Aston Martin lightly recommissioned the car in 2016 at a cost of ú16,670
• Warranted mileage of just 10,550 supported by a comprehensive history file
• Original owners handbook/service records, AM Heritage Certificate, warranty card, maintenance and service invoices
• A rare opportunity to purchase an unmolested, low mileage AM V8 in one of the best colour combinations

One could describe the Aston Martin V8 Series 4, often titled 'Oscar India' (October Introduction in phonetics), as the 'Mustang that went to Eton'. The exterior, particularly the front, may have had a touch of the Mustang about it but the interior was unmistakably Mayfair. The first Aston Martin in decades to combine sumptuous Connolly leather and polished Walnut facings, the interior of the Oscar India, launched in 1978, provided the driver with all of the comforts of the era and the grunt of the legendary Tadek Marek-designed V8.

Compared to the contemporary exotica on offer from Italy, Aston's V8 would cruise unassumingly, with only the burble and the occasional pop from the twin exhausts on the overrun alluding to the turn of speed available under the discreetly bulging bonnet. Few cars genuinely suit an automatic gearbox but the standard Aston V8 is a car that perfectly mates the 5.3-litre V8 to the Chrysler-derived 3-speed Torqueflite automatic gearbox. Gears change with barely a quiver and the kick-down operates without fuss.

Purchased new by its first owner and only registered keeper, the Chairman of the National Bank of Dubai, through Aston Martin Sales Ltd., it was delivered on the 06/03/1984 in Salisbury Blue with Magnolia hide, Beige (Onslow) carpeting and automatic transmission. It was maintained by the Aston Martin Works Service department at Newport Pagnell for many years with service invoices on file from 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 1993, by which time the mileage read just 8,696 miles. In keeping with the demands on the time of an international businessman with a substantial collection, the car was little used but correctly stored in a temperature-controlled garage at his residence in Bishops Avenue, one of London's best-known and desirable addresses.

The car was latterly maintained by Aston Martin specialist Ian Mason until 2016 when Chiltern Aston Martin were instructed to lightly recommission the car at a cost of ú16,670 for various works which included reconditioning the radiator, new coolant hoses, new inlet manifold, vacuum hoses, new front wheel bearings, re-bushed front suspension, rear brake servos, overhauled steering rack and a major service. With the first owner's recent passing, the Aston became available and is offered today as, effectively, a one-owner car, indeed the V5c still shows one registered keeper. The odometer indicates just over 10,550 miles and it's presented to auction with an excellent history file which contains the original owner's handbook, service book, warranty card, AM Heritage Certificate, invoices, tool kit and its current MOT.

To conclude, this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most original, unmolested and well maintained Aston Martin V8s available. This car's superb condition, interesting provenance, comprehensive history and low mileage sets it apart and it's now ready to grace the finest of collections, or possibly do what V8 Astons do best and head for the open highway.