1971 Aston Martin DBS V8 Manual
- One of only 128 Manual examples built
- Delivered new to South Africa
- Matching numbers and wonderful original colour combination
- Only 50,000 miles recorded from new
- Factory air conditioning
| YEAR | 1971 |
| MAKE | Aston Martin |
| PRICE | £145,000 |
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION
An exceptionally rare and highly desirable example of Aston Martin’s magnificent early V8 grand tourer, retaining its original matching-numbers engine, factory colour scheme of Azzuro Blue Metallic with dark Blue Hide and sought-after ZF five-speed manual gearbox. Accompanied by an excellent history file documenting its fascinating life from its original delivery to South Africa in 1971.
Just 402 DBS V8s were produced before the model was superseded in 1972, making these early fuel-injected cars among the rarest of Aston Martin’s V8 grand tourers. Examples fitted with the ZF five-speed manual gearbox are particularly sought after, offering a more engaging and sporting driving experience than their automatic counterparts. Only around 140 manual examples were produced.
In period, the DBS V8’s performance was quite simply staggering. Its 5,340cc, Bosch fuel-injected V8 engine developed approximately 320bhp, propelling the manual car from 0–60mph in just 5.9 seconds and onwards to a remarkable top speed of 162mph. To put these figures into perspective, this was a luxurious, hand-built, four-seat British grand tourer capable of performance to rival some of the world’s most exotic sports cars. Indeed, the DBS V8 was widely regarded as the fastest production four-seater of its era. Priced around £8,500 when new, this was ten times more expensive than an average family car at the time. This particular car had the optional Air Conditioning which added another £400 to the new price.
The example offered here, chassis DBSV8/10220/R, was completed in 1971 and, as confirmed by its original factory records, was supplied through Aston Martin Lagonda to Miller Bros. of Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 1971. This interesting early export history adds another dimension to the car’s provenance and is supported by the original documentation retained within its accompanying history file.
Importantly, the car remains in its original factory colour combination and retains its original engine, numbered V540/203, matching the manufacturer’s original records. Such originality is particularly desirable in an Aston Martin of this age, especially given the comparatively small number of DBS V8s produced.
The history file is a particularly appealing feature of this example, containing original period documentation, its owner’s handbook, historic South African licensing and taxation records, and a substantial collection of invoices relating to maintenance, servicing and mechanical attention carried out during its subsequent life.
The surviving South African documentation provides an evocative reminder of the car’s early years overseas, while the later British records demonstrate its continued care by recognised Aston Martin specialists. Among the more recent invoices are those from Nicholas Mee & Company, documenting attention to the car’s mechanical systems, ignition, air conditioning, electrical equipment and interior fittings, together with further servicing and maintenance work.
With just 402 examples produced, its desirable five-speed manual transmission, original matching-numbers engine, original factory colour scheme and documented 1971 delivery to Johannesburg, this particular DBS V8 represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire a rare and historically significant Aston Martin.
MODEL HISTORY
Visually, the DBS V8 remains one of Aston Martin’s most distinctive designs becoming a flagship Aston Martin above the 6 cylinder model which was made in far greater numbers at the time. Launched 3 years later than the first 6 cylinder car in 1970 the V8 DBS has beautifully proportioned fastback coachwork, characteristic four-headlamp front end, broad shoulders and purposeful stance combining to create a motor car of considerable presence. The design has matured wonderfully over the intervening decades, retaining an understated elegance that is unmistakably Aston Martin.
As one of the final models developed during the David Brown era, the DBS V8 also represents a significant turning point in the company’s history. Its remarkable V8 engine would form the basis of Aston Martin’s flagship grand tourers for many years to come, making these early examples especially important from both an engineering and historical perspective. Mechanically, the early DBS V8 was a highly sophisticated motor car. Its all-alloy V8 engine featured four overhead camshafts and Bosch mechanical fuel injection, while the advanced De Dion rear suspension, ventilated disc brakes and power-assisted steering provided the handling and stopping ability necessary to complement its extraordinary performance. The five-speed manual transmission adds considerably to the driving experience, allowing the driver to make full use of the engine’s immense reserves of power and torque.
Today, the DBS V8 is increasingly recognised as one of the great British grand touring cars of its generation. Its combination of rarity, extraordinary period performance, sophisticated engineering and timeless styling makes it a compelling proposition for the discerning enthusiast and collector alike. A beautifully conceived grand tourer, combining remarkable performance with the craftsmanship, character and elegance for which Aston Martin is renowned.