1972 Aston Martin V8

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.

This RHD auto car is badged as a DBSV8.

The Aston Martin official website states that “..the DBSV8 was produced until May 1972”, at which point it was simply called the Aston Martin V8, a change signalled by the adoption of twin halogen headlights, a mesh grille and Bosch fuel-injection rather than the Weber carburettors of the DBSV8.

Aston Martin DBSV8 chassis numbers (April 1970 - May 1972) run from DBSV8/10001/R to DBSV8/10405/RCA.

Aston Martin V8 chassis numbers (April 1972 -July 1973) run from V8/10501/RCA to V8/10789/LCA (Bosch injection).

This car, which has fuel injection and DBSV8 badging, has chassis number V8/10592/RCA and the engine number V/540/472 – which makes it something of a puzzle, which is by no means unusual for Astons on the cusp of the DBS and V8 eras.

We are familiar with being left somewhat baffled by the numbers and specifications on these transitional cars.

Wiser heads than ours will no doubt let us know.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this car comes with no history or service records beyond whatever photocopies are shown in the documents section.

The odometer reads 36,923 miles.

As we haven’t tried to start or drive the car, our appraisal of it is entirely based on its cosmetic appearance.

We believe it entered the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in 2013.

This handsome car has what appears to be pretty straight bodywork. Certainly, there are no dinks, dents or creases of any consequence that we can see.

The paint is a very attractive shade of light green metallic but it’s gone rather flat and mottled in a few places, most notably on the bonnet and boot lid.

Although most of the bodywork is commendable and the shut lines and panel gaps are broadly consistent and even, the driver’s door could close a little more seamlessly with the surrounding bodywork.

The chrome work and GKN wheels are pretty good all round, as is the badging and most of the exterior trim.

There is a little bit of blistering and light bubbling above the rear screen.

There’s also some bubbling at the base of the rear and front wings, at the base of the doors and in the wheel arches – all on the passenger side.

One or two scuffs can be seen above the front wheel on the driver’s side and there’s a paint chip the size of a thumb nail on the ‘nose’ of the car ahead of the Aston Martin badge.

While rather grubby and in need of being shown a damp chamois and some cleaning products, the door cards and headlining are basically sound.

The black leather seats have some creasing of the sort that looks like it might yield to some expertly applied cleaning and feeding products.

Except for a small hole on the outer edge of the squab on both seats, the upholstery in the front is pretty decent. It’s counterpart in the rear is better still.

There’s a bit of detached trim resting on the back seat at present.

The front carpets look rather threadbare and the rubber trim is coming away in various places inside.

There is some well-established corrosion evident in the side wall of the driver’s footwell by the door.

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

The engine and engine bay look a little dusty but all appears to be present and correct.

There are a few spots of rust visible underneath the car, but there’s also a lot of wax/bitumen in place and it’s hard to know what lies beneath.

You’ll want to see for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

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 this a decent example of the model and, although there are a few issues with bubbling and corrosion to contend with, the underlying quality of the car should make the time and effort required to help it recover its former glories more than worthwhile.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £60,000 -£90,000.

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