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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors' Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
• Sale Date:
  19 Jun 2016 ~ 3pm
• Lot #:
  42
• Lot Description:
  1974 ASTON MARTIN V8 SERIES III 'SUNROOF' COUPE
  Chassis no: V8/11206/RCA; Engine no: V/540/1206; This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Notes:
  The fascinating history of Aston Martin is a sublime symbol of excellence and as the brand continues to make further technological and design inroads in the 21st century so the appreciation for the marque continues to be held in the utmost esteem. The celebrated name came from Lionel Martin combined with Aston Clinton, the famous Buckinghamshire hill-climb. After various changes of ownership, Aston Martin was acquired by tractor manufacturer, Sir David Brown, in 1947, hailed as its post-war saviour. The company also acquired Lagonda for its 2.6-litre W. O. Bentley-designed engine and with shared resources began the post-war era with the 2-litre DB. The sports racing 2-seater version won the 1948 Spa 24 Hour Race in the hands of St John Horsfall and Leslie Johnson continuing a racing empire carrying the DB acronym from the DB2 to the DB3S that won the 1953 Goodwood Nine Hours Race. This car was later offered as a 150mph road-going sports car, for 1955. As technology gained pace the DBR series of sports and racing cars utilised space frames, de Dion rear axles and disc brakes. Victories include the 1000km race at Nurburgring, in 1957, 1958 and 1959. Aston Martin won the Sports Car Constructors Championship, in 1959, the first time a British constructor had won the title. The drivers, to name a few, associated with Aston Martin's success include: Roy Salvadori, Tony Brooks, Les Leston and Reg Parnell. Significant Australian champions who drove Aston Martins, including at Le Mans with factory support, were Lex Davison and Bib Stillwell. These successful racing cars were engineered by Polish born Tadek Marek and together through racing development, a de-tuned version of the 3.7 was used in a new disc-braked coupŽ and the first British high quality Gran Tourismo was born with the DB4. In 1959, the even higher performing, short wheelbase, 302bhp DB4GT was launched. Such is the historical importance placed on this car a Zagato bodied version with Australian history sold for US$14,300,000, in 2015. And so, the DB4 evolved into the 4 litre DB5 in 1964, completely stunning the world in its key role in the James Bond films and onwards the DB6, until the beginning of a new era of cars with the DBS, in 1968. William Towns was commissioned with the new design unveiled at Blenheim Palace, on September 25, 1967, initially only intended for limited production using the all new V8 engine, but this was not ready in time so originally the DBS retained the 4-ltre 6 cylinder as used in the DB6. Still under development the V8 engine was first run in a 5 litre form at Le Mans in 1967, installed in 2 Lola T70s under Team Surtees. After this important engine shakedown rugged and reliable power units were put in to production in 1969 with the DBSV8 of which 402 cars were made. Then Aston Martin Lagonda was sold to Company Developments, in January 1972. Work started to remodel the DBSV8 and the new grand tourer became the fastest 4-seater production car in the world capable of 160mph and the platform for all Aston Martin power plants for the next 20 years. As a result, named simply AMV8, as this later example for auction, is impressive with distinctive design changes including the single headlights and redesigned grille; 4 Weber twin choke down draught carburettors; a bigger bonnet bulge to accommodate the carburettor airbox; a redesigned fuel tank to allow for more luggage space and interior trim improvements; the 5340cc engine employs 4 overhead camshafts developing almost 400lbs. /foot torque at 4500rpm; aluminium heads and block and a forged molybdenum steel crankshaft and a 9:1 compression ratio. It is a luxury 4-seater panelled in aluminium alloy over a rigid steel chassis with a ZF 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional speed automatic transmission and Girling ventilated disc brakes front and rear. 967 examples were built. This hand built matching numbers AMV8 Series 111 with torque-flight 727 3-speed automatic transmission is presented in Blue with its original interior and carpets and includes a rare, factory electric sunroof. It was delivered new to the Australian distributor, Whitehorse Motors of Melbourne. John Calvert bought this car in c1996 from Mr. Gary Ayres who acquired it from a South Australian collector with a mere 24,000kms (approx) reading on the odometer. Ayres commissioned Peter Denny of Stylerod Panels, Kilsyth, to repaint the body and wheels. It had approximately 28,000kms when John Calvert acquired it which is verified with available statutory evidence. The Calvert family inform us that John rarely used the vehicle and at the time of his death the car has covered less than 33,000km. Although complete service books were sold with the car these have not yet been located. On inspection a local Aston Martin specialist believes mileage to be true and accurate having known the car well for over 20 years. This superb Aston Martin presents in good original condition and is a correct example of the model. The Calvert family advise the car has been regularly serviced and maintained by the late Mr. Peter McFarlane, of Geelong. This quintessentially British and highly desirable, Australian delivered, low mileage, Gran Tourismo provides the discerning collector with a rare opportunity to acquire a very original motorcar at auction. Accompanied by an original vinyl V8 Saloon instruction book stating the series commences with chassis number V8/11001 and the Aston Martin Heritage Certificate.
• Estimate:
  A$100,000 - 120,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.