1978 Aston Martin V8 Saloon

This car is offered from outside of the European Union. It has been imported under temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to Dutch import tax on top of the winning bid price.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, as their proof of purchase.

This vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and the documented history available is limited to that displayed in our photography section.

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

As CARS Europe BV is the guarantor of all customs duties and taxes for vehicles within Dutch customs bond, the car cannot be released to the buyer or transporter immediately after the sale. For all enquiries relating to Customs, please contact CARS Europe BV.

Purchases will only be released once cleared funds are received. All vehicles must be collected after the payment of funds. All storage charges must be paid in full prior to the vehicle’s collection or onward transportation.

Storage charges payment must be arranged with the storage company. Collection is strictly by appointment only.

Please send a booking email to the storage centre to ensure vehicle(s) are ready at time of collection. Photographic ID will be required at time of collection. If a third party is collecting for you, then written authorisation is required in advance from you and photographic ID of the third party is required at the time of collection. Collection either by buyer or third party is only possible for vehicles within customs bond if applicable import taxes paid are paid to import into country of bonded storage location.

As soon as The Market by Bonhams will receive your payment, The Market by Bonhams accounts service will inform the manager of the storage where your car(s) is stored: a release note will be sent to them..

CARS Europe BV will contact you just after the sale to confirm onward transport requirements. Direct contact at CARS for enquiries is as follows; Joanna Herlihy, +31 (0) 252 682 526, +44 7483 433912, joanna@carseurope.net.

STORAGE CHARGES

€30 + local VAT per motor car per day commencing from the sixth day following the auction end.

CUSTOMS CHARGES

€500 per motor car (plus applicable permanent import taxes from bond)

With the proviso that we haven’t tried to start or drive this car and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic condition, we think this Aston Martin V8 Saloon Series 3 is a very attractive example of an iconic British muscle car from one of the world’s most prestigious marques.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with very little history and no service records.

We don’t know when it entered the vendor’s collection of static display cars, but we know it was some time after 2002.

This 1978 V8 Saloon Series 3 has the chassis number V8/11845/LCAS.

The odometer reads 60,008 kms.

It was originally white with a burgundy interior and was delivered new to Bahrain for a member of that country’s royal family.

We know that, by 1992, the car was red.

There is documentation stating that car was subject to a total restoration and mechanical overhaul with ‘no costs spared’ in 1998.

We believe the car was imported to the UK in 1998 and that this work was carried out by British specialists.

In addition, there is documentation covering extensive work done on the car by London Aston Martin specialist, Ian Mason, in 2002.

Although there is no service record, there are numerous bills and receipts suggesting that the car has always been well maintained and cared for.

Viewed from two metres, the bodywork and bright red paint finish on this car look very good indeed.

The panels are straight, the shut lines are consistent and there are relatively few scratches or scuffs in evidence anywhere.

Move closer, though, and you can see that there are various minor flaws. There are some cracks to the paint on the bonnet, some rust bubbling under the paint beneath the windscreen, and the paint has rubbed away on the boot lid below the badge and on the edge of the passenger-side front wing where it meets the door.

The front valance beneath the bumper is cracked and split in places.

The alloy wheels have a few nicks and scuffs in places and would benefit from being refurbished.

Most of the chrome work is very good, as is the badging, the trim, and the lights and lenses.

No, it’s not perfect.

But it is in very strong condition overall.

The interior is really very good indeed and appears to be highly original and authentic.

The black leather front seats are supportive and comfortable. They have light creasing but no more than you’d expect to find in a car of this age. There is a tiny tear at the base of the driver’s headrest.

The rear seats are equally well preserved.

The carpets, door cards and headlining have all survived the passage of time remarkably well, as has most of the rubber trim around the windows.

The dashboard is in excellent condition, as is the steering wheel, gear selector and handbrake.

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

The undersides look to have retained plenty of structural integrity and there is little more than a few spots of superficial rust dust here and there. Obviously, though, you will want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusions.

The engine and engine bay seem to be in very good condition, with everything looking clean, dry and in its right and proper place.

The car doesn’t come with much history or a continuous service record.

It does have various bills, receipts and invoices describing on-going work done and detailing the scope of its 1998 restoration.

All the paperwork we have is photographed and displayed in the photo gallery, we do not have any think else.

We think this is a solid, strong, honest car that is in very good overall condition.

There are some minor issues to attend to on the bodywork but, in general, we don’t think this vehicle is hiding any unpleasant surprises.

If the underlying structure, engine and running gear prove to be as impressive as the rest of this very special car, then we think the process of recommissioning should more than repay the time and attention it fully deserves to receive from its next owner.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of €50,000 - €80,000.

Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.