"Completely handbuilt and requiring over 1,200 man-hours to finish, these motorcars are every bit the gentleman’s sporting tourer. Although the DBS was the pre-curser, it shared the same V8 engine until the six-cylinder engine option version was phased out in 1972. It benefited from heavier, ventilated disc-brakes, air conditioning, fatter tyres and a new and stronger ZF gearbox. With a capacity of 5.3 litres, it was still powerful enough to propel it to over 150mph, heady even by today’s standards. The engine switched back from fuel injection to carburettors in 1973 with the advent of the series III model, also distinguishable by the taller bonnet scoop to accommodate four twin-choke (two-barrel) Weber carburettors.
This truly stunning example of the SIII V8 is one of just 967 built and is presented in the timeless Ascot Grey with a black leather trim and has been fully nut and bolt restored by world renowned restorers, Oldtimer Studio who have themselves been featured on Fifth Gear. The car is even sold with the remainder of their warranty which was issued in October this year and is valid for 12 months. Obtained by our vendor in the UK in 2015 from the Aston Workshop, this vehicle was purchased with the express reason to have the car fully restored to the highest possible quality.
A German citizen working in the city of London at the time, our vendor took the decision to take the car to Oldtimer Studio prior to the UK leaving the EU. Since the exhaustive restoration process that cost more than €80,000 with all parts sourced from Aston Martin Dorset LTD in the UK and shipped to Romania, on top of the donor car which cost €40,000 alone. Our vendor has decided to part with this gorgeous example from his existing collection and in his own words it has ‘broken his heart’ to part with but he is doing so primarily to further investment in his children’s education. In that way he is happy for the Aston to find a passionate next caretaker and return home into the UK ‘where it truly belongs’.
The handover was completed on 10th October and the restoration included, as you may expect, a full bare metal restoration with new interior and a full engine rebuild. All works have been fully documented including a folder of photos from start to finish which can be supplied to any interested parties. The car is supplied with a British Motor Heritage Certificate confirming it is a matching numbers example, this is accompanied by Aston Martin continuation service vouchers, two Aston Martin Workshop manuals, the 12 month Oldtimer warranty, the original V5C registration document prior to export and history file with documentation from the purchase to the restoration to the handover. Upon completion a full professional photoshoot was completed as was a full body detail including ceramic protection. The provenance of the car is not lost on our vendor hence being returned to the UK market, indeed even a set of original tapes have been sourced for the stereo.
This is a car that is truly breathtaking and would cost far in excess of €100,000 to restore with today’s prices therefore viewing is highly recommended.
With the UK leaving Europe in 2019, this car is deemed exported into the EU however as a returning car to the UK it will be due just 5% tax for any successfully buyer should they be in the UK and wish to register it. The original UK registration plate was HSU 164N as found with the V5 still within the history file and we would assume it will return to this number."