After decades of perfecting straight-six-powered grand tourers, Aston Martin acknowledged customer demand for a more powerful GT starting with the DBS in 1967. The new DBS V8 featured the long-awaited Tadek Marek-designed 5.3 litre, making it the first eight-cylinder Aston Martin production car. In 1972, the DBS V8 name was dropped for simply “V8” and the straight-six DBS model was discontinued. This new nomenclature also denoted significant visual and mechanical updates, notably, a change to a two-headlight, in-grille fascia, and a larger, more prominently shaped Aston Martin grille. A Volante version was made available in 1978 with a power-operated and fully lined soft top. Production would continue with updates and advancements through the 1989 model year.

This stunning V8 Volante was supplied by Aston Martin Lagonda of North America Inc. to official agents Palm Beach Motor Cars of Florida on March 23, 1988. Subsequently exported to Europe, in 1998, the Aston Martin was owned by Jeffrey Steiner, CEO of the Fairchild Corporation. During his ownership, service work was carried out by Roos Engineering, the official Aston Martin agent in Bern, Switzerland, and by Pichler GFG AG in Gstaad.

One of the world’s foremost Aston Martin collectors purchased the car from Mr. Steiner by 2009, and entrusted RS Williams of Surrey, England, one of the most highly regarded marque specialists, to carry out a complete restoration, including conversion to seven-litre specification, at a cost exceeding £260,000. Work began immediately and the engine was completely rebuilt, including Cosworth pistons, new liners, a nitrided crankshaft, and a bespoke ECU. A new automatic transmission and wiring harness were fitted, the suspension was overhauled, and the braking system was rebuilt. The Volante’s bodywork was stripped to bare metal and refinished in Dark Grey, complemented by tan leather upholstery and a black soft top. The restoration was completed in 2011, at which time the original US speedometer, then showing 26,109 miles, was replaced with a new, zeroed unit reading in kilometers.

Following its restoration, the seven-litre V8 Volante returned to RS Williams on several occasions for further upgrades and service, and remained a fixture in the owner’s exceptional Aston Martin collection until 2017, when it was sold to noted car collector Kurt Engelhorn of Gstaad, Switzerland. Acquired by the current owner in 2019, this Volante has since enjoyed sparing use and diligent maintenance in a collection that contains other significant Aston Martins including a Zagato-bodied DB4 GT. In keeping with its superb presentation, the Volante is offered with its owner’s manual, service book, and an extensive history file containing ownership, restoration, and service records.

Significantly more powerful than a factory-delivered V8 Vantage Volante and featuring elegant narrow bodywork, this RS Williams-restored and upgraded Aston Martin is surely one of the finest examples of its kind.