It’s that time of the year again - mid-May, and Works Service will be opening its doors to Bonhams and Aston Martin aficionados worldwide for the annual Sale of marque-related automobilia and motor cars.
This year’s event mixes a selection of post-War cars - predominantly David Brown 6-cylinders and V8s - together with part of a significant collection of Aston Martin memorabilia from one of the world’s leading collectors, Ulrich Schödel. Top billing will probably go to one of the DB convertibles or the 2000 Aston Martin Short Chassis Vantage Volante Special Edition, although there’s also a 2005 Aston Martin DBR9 for the ultimate ‘impulse purchase’.
The 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Mk2 Volante Convertible, estimated at £220,000 - 250,000, carries what the catalogue describes as "every Aston enthusiast’s ‘dream provenance’", it having been the subject of a total restoration at Works Service, and comes equipped with an 80-page report by the Aston Martin Heritage Centre detailing each phase of the work completed. It is therefore, virtually ‘as-new’. A lot of money but (LHD apart) with these credentials and a classy Goodwood Green/Warm Beige/Black Hood specification, who could want more?
 1984 Aston Martin Lagonda Saloon - £7,000 - 9,000 |
 1978 Aston Martin V8 Vantage - £30,000 - 35,000 |
The other convertible, the 1965 Aston Martin DB5, is estimated a touch lower (£200,000 - 220,000), but looks another classy (and rarer) entry that will no doubt do well right now on the wave of DB-era Aston enthusiasm. Soft-tops apart, the auction features many DB6s - the most practical and well-sorted of the 4/5/6 line - with cars ranging from £28,000 - 32,000 for a workmanlike 1967 Aston Martin DB6, to £72,000 - 75,000 for a 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage that has clearly had a lot of care and loving attention over its life.
There is only one DB5 Coupé, a 1965 car for £95,000 - 115,000, while DB4s number two; a 1960 Series 2 in cosmetically poor condition for £48,000 - 52,000, and a very nice 1962 Series IV Vantage for £90,000 - 110,000, the latter benefiting from an R S Williams 4.2 litre engine.
 Previously the property of Simon Le Bon,1989 Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volante - £60,000 - 70,000 |
 1990 Aston Martin Virage Coupé - £22,000 - 25,000 |
Add a couple of cylinders and you get to Aston Martin’s most popular model of the 70s and 80s, the V8 in its many forms. Top-of-the-tree in collectors’ circles is the ‘Prince of Wales’ variation, so-called after a one-off for His Royal Highness became a limited edition run of 25 Volantes with Vantage engines and boot spoiler but no wide wheel arches and side skirts. Bonhams have one such in the sale, a 1989 Aston Martin Vantage Volante ‘Prince of Wales’ for £90,000 - 100,000, and by way of a contrast, a regular 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante at £55,000 - 60,000, red in tooth, claw and coachwork.
 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage - £50,000 - 55,000 |
 The ex-Earls Court Motor Show,1996 Aston Martin Vantage Coupé - £65,000 - 70,000 |
 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante - £55,000 - 60,000 |
 2000 Aston Martin SWB Vantage Volante Special Edition - Refer Dept. |
Just before the launch of the Vanquish, Astons produced a final ‘end of the line’ V8 SWB Volante based on the supercharged Vantage coupé but retaining the hard-top’s wheelbase rather than using an extended one as was the norm with convertible cars of this series. Just eight cars were built, and Bonhams is offering one of these - a one-owner car from new - although you’ll have to ‘Refer Dept.’ for the price on the 2000 Antrim Blue machine.
Other cars of note? There’s an opportunity to buy a piece of current Aston Martin Racing history by bidding on the 2005 Aston Martin DBR9 (‘Refer Dept.’ again for the estimate), while we like the ‘offered for restoration and sold strictly as viewed’ 1952 Aston Martin DB2 Drophead Coupé for £15,000 - 18,000.
Automobilia and the Ulrich J. Schödel Aston Martin Collection
There can be few collectors with a greater passion for the marque than Ulrich Schödel. Having amassed a quite extraordinary number of items over the years, the German Aston aficionado has decided to place a selected number in this year’s Works Service sale.
 A rare Aston Martin DB 5 1:12 scale model - £400 - 500 |
 Original 1994 Aston Martin bicycle, - £1,600 - 2,200 |
Catalogued separately (lots 135 - 185), it’s difficult to pick out highlights but how about lot 135, An Original 1994 Aston Martin Bicycle (bearing chassis number "1L", and coming complete with unused AM-branded cycle clothing) for £1,600 - 2,200? Or Lot 142, Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato 180L: 20 used spark plugs (£300 - 400), and Lot 178, An Aston Martin 1989 V8 Vantage wall telephone for £200 - 300.
Of the other items of automobilia - always a popular part of the Sale - there are 134 lots including many James Bond-related, such as the James Bond, Aston Martin gear lever knob with ejector seat button, 1960s for £1,500 - 1,800, and for those with original cars looking for mechanical guidance, An Aston Martin DB3S Instruction Manual at £200 - 300.
The Sale takes place at Aston Martin Lagonda Works Service, Tickford St, Newport Pagnell, Bucks, with Automobilia starting at 13.00, Motor Cars at 15.30.
To see all Motor Car entries in the Classic Driver car database please CLICK HERE.
Please CLICK HERE to see the full lotlist.
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Bonhams Motor Cars Dept.
101 New Bond Street London W1S 1SR UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7468 5801 Fax: +44 (0)20 7468 5802 Email: [email protected] |
Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Bonhams/Aston Martin Racing
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