1973 Aston Martin V8 Coupe

This motor car is being sold as part of a private overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams’ temporary admission customs bond. In addition to the ‘hammer’ price, the winning bidder must pay a bond release fee (£350) and also import tax/duty.

In the UK, cars over 30 years old are subject to the lower rate of 5% import tax on the final selling price if purchased by a private individual. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT. A company buying this car will always pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT on the ‘hammer’ price.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable upon proof of customs/tax payment in the other country.

The bond release fee (£350 payable direct, post-auction, to the CARS shipping company) will produce a NOVA from HMRC, this document is formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK. The vehicle is not registered anywhere. You must register the vehicle with the DVLA. Upon request, The Market can suggest some companies who can help with this process.

This vehicle has been on static display in the Middle East for a number of years, and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section. In all cases, the documents shown are photocopies, unless otherwise stated. We do not have the originals.

Unless otherwise stated, we have not tried to start or drive the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is strictly sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for viewing by appointment weekdays 9am-5pm, and we advise you (or your appointed engineer) to inspect it at our HQ near Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

VIN: V8/10771/RCA.

Engine No: V/540/621

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this 1973 RHD auto Aston Martin V8 comes with no paperwork beyond whatever photocopied documents are shown in the gallery section.

It has, however, passed through a Bonhams live auction and the following notes are taken from that auction listing in 2010.

“An original car in generally good condition 'PGC 42L' comes with four AMOC medals for the following events: 1986 Autumn Concours (2nd place); 1988 SKF Concours (2nd place); 1988 Autumn Concours (1st place); and 1989 Stanway Concours (4th place). The car has been maintained by recognised specialists Rikki Cann, Puddleduck and Fullbridge Restoration Company and since the current vendor's purchase has been looked after in more recent years by J K Engineering, of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. Attractively finished in Dubonnet Rosso with green leather interior, this well-maintained Aston Martin V8…..”.

The rest of the listing goes on to describe documents that are no longer with the car.

On the occasion of its 2010 MoT test the car’s mileage was recorded as 53,397.

Today, the mileage is 53,403.

The car takes power, and the engine turns (slowly).

As we haven’t started or driven the car, our appraisal of it is limited to its cosmetic appearance.

The bodywork is in very reasonable condition, with the exception of the front valance, which is cracked and split.

The wheels and chrome-work are all decent.

The Aston Martin badging is missing from the boot lid.

There is some bubbling in several places on the sunroof, and also at the base of both ‘A’ pillars.

There is also a little bubbling above the rear screen and some paint chips and scratches elsewhere on the bodywork surrounding the rear screen.

A patch of paint is missing on the ‘nose’ of the car just ahead of the bonnet, which has various scratches and areas of cracked paint on it.

There are a few scratches on the roof and some stone chips on the o/s/f wing.

The exterior rubber trim is cracked and perished in places.

The paintwork, too, is pretty good in most - but not all - places.

The 2010 listing states that the leather upholstery is green.

Well, it might have been then (assuming the listing was typed correctly) but it definitely isn’t green now.

It is cream.

It’s also in reasonable, if rather grubby, condition.

The same cannot be said of the headlining, which has been vigorously attacked by some particularly voracious moths and their offspring, some of whom clearly had enough appetite left to have a decent go at the carpets, too.

The parlous state of the carpets may partly explain the presence of some otherwise anomalous Mercedes-Benz mats in the front footwells.

The door card is coming loose on the driver’s door.

The chromed cover for the driver’s seat adjustment mechanism is currently resting on the floor.

The boot, which contains a spare wheel, is intact but somewhat disassembled and scruffy.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t started or driven the car.

The engine and engine bay seem dry and intact if decidedly dusty and dirty.

There is rust and flaking visible in the sills.

Clearly, you’ll want to reach your own conclusion on the extent to which this may or may not compromise the car’s structural integrity.

Unless otherwise stated, this car comes with no history or service records beyond whatever photocopied documents are shown in the gallery.

No documents shown in the gallery in any way constitute any kind of current licensing or registration certification.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

Well, this car is something of a curate’s egg – it’s good in parts.

But we are heartened to know that it was winning AMOC concours events in the 1980s and was considered to be in pretty good nick in 2010, just before it put its feet up and went off to join the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles.

Provided, of course, that the engine, electrics and mechanicals prove to be amenable to recommissioning, we think this car has the potential to reward its next owner with many years of classy, hand-built, pedigree motoring pleasure.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £40,000 -£60,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.