1974 Aston Martin V8 Saloon

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.

In common with many cars from the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles, this manual RHD auto Aston Martin V8 saloon comes with no paperwork beyond whatever photocopies are shown in the gallery section – none of which constitutes any kind of current licensing or registration documentation.

It does, however, have an old V5 registration document, a proof of purchase letter, some AMOC records and a number of old MoT certificates and tax discs.

It was bought for the vendor’s collection in 2010.

There is a copy of a 2010 letter written by the trade seller to the European agent buying cars on behalf of the vendor.

It reads as follows.

“Chassis number V811160/RCA Engine Number V/540/1160 with 64,971 miles. The car is sound, runs well but has low oil pressure when hot. It has a Vantage front spoiler and a bonded-on rear boot lid spoiler, looks a straight motor car.”

The car has added no miles since the letter was written and, yes, it does have a Vantage front spoiler and a ‘bonded-on’ boot lid spoiler.

The car’s odometer currently reads 64,971 miles today.

In 2006, MoT records state that its mileage was 64,465.

The car was delivered new to a dealer in Cardiff on 15.7.74, at which time it was Cornish Gold with a Blue interior.

We know that the car was in Tunbridge Wells from 1990 (by which time it was on its sixth owner) until 2006, when it went to live in Preston.

We haven’t tried to start or drive it and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic condition.

Overall, the bodywork appears to be in reasonable condition, with no significant dinks, dents or creases to speak of.

There are some issues, though, and the current inability of the driver’s door to open is one of the more obvious ones.

The very dark blue metallic paintwork has gone rather flat and lost its shine and lustre in general.

There are a couple of patches of micro-blistering on the roof and a scratch on the n/s/r wing just behind the door.

There is some bubbling at the base of the driver’s door and at the base of the ‘A’ pillar on the same side.

More bubbling can be found at the base of the ‘A’ pillar on the nearside, at the bottom of the n/s/f wing, and just below the rear screen.

There are numerous cracks and splits to the paint on the ‘bonded-on’ boot lid spoiler, and some scratches and stone chips on top of both front wings and the bonnet.

In addition to the non-factory boot lid spoiler, the car’s exterior also boasts a spurious ‘Vantage’ badge at the rear, a pair of fat and shiny Ripspeed exhaust tips and BBS-like wheels (which are in good condition).

The interior appears to be fairly authentic, and the blue leather upholstery has a patina that suggests it’s probably original and, as such, in pretty good condition considering the level of creasing and other signs of wear and use.

There are a few nicks to the leather at the top of the backrest on the driver’s seat, but that’s about it as far as we can see.

The rear seats are also in decent overall condition, as are the door cards, carpets and headlining.

It’s all a bit grubby and could do with being shown a damp chamois, but it’s basically sound, we think.

As is often the case on cars of this age, the sun visors have turned decidedly ‘crispy’ to the touch.

While the dashboard and instruments appear to be in decent fettle, 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 vehicle.

We can, however, report that the ignition barrel doesn’t seem to be working properly.

This may or may not be related to the aftermarket James-Bond-style ignition and starter button set-up installed inside the centre armrest storage unit.

The boot is reasonable and contains some tools and a GKN-style spare wheel.

Everything in the engine bay, including the engine, appears to be clean, dry, present and correct.

There is some rust in evidence in the sills and elsewhere on the undersides of the car.

Clearly, you’ll want to take a look for yourself and reach your own conclusions as to the car’s structural integrity.

The car doesn’t come with any history or service records beyond what is shown in the photography section.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor an up-to-date V5. 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.

None of the paperwork shown in the gallery constitutes any kind of current licensing or registration documentation.

Provided that the car’s engine and mechanicals are amenable to recommissioning, we think the underlying intrinsic value of the car should make the job of restoring it to some, most or all of its former glory well worth the time and effort required.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £35,000 - £50,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £350 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market 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’.