1973 Aston Martin Vantage

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.

The car was ‘Royal Claret’ in colour when new, we think, although one of its registration numbers leads us down a digital MoT path suggesting that it may have been blue at some point in its life.

According to which version of the DVLA database you consult, the car was first registered in the UK on the 5th of June or the 1st of August 1973, leaving the factory with the following numbers.

Chassis: AM/6007/RA.

Engine: 400/4930/SVC.

As far as we can ascertain, the engine is the 4 litre Vantage-spec unit.

You’ll want to do your own research and reach your own conclusions.

In common with many cars from the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles, this auto RHD Aston Martin Vantage 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, come with a copy of an old UK V5 document, a proof of purchase receipt from 2009, when it entered the vendor’s collection, a factory specification sheet, and a listing in an AMOC document.

We know that the car was living in the Peak District in 2007.

We haven’t tried to start or run the car, so consequently we can only assess it on its cosmetic condition.

The car’s odometer currently reads 72,484 miles.

Except for a split in the front valance, the bodywork is really in very reasonable condition, with straight panels and consistent door and panel gaps.

There are no dents, folds, holes or creases of any real consequence in evidence anywhere that we can see.

The burgundy red paintwork, too, is surprisingly good and has retained a impressive amount of shine and lustre.

The chrome work and wheels are decent all-round.

There is a bit of bubbling in evidence at the top and base of the offside ‘A’ pillar and on the front wing on the same side.

There are one or two minor dinks in the sill cover below the driver’s door.

The bonnet has a few light scratches here and there, and there are a few paint chips on the rear edge of the passenger door.

The exterior rubber trim is perished in several places.

Much like the exterior, the condition of the interior is something of a mixed bag.

The cream leather upholstery has lost much of its suppleness throughout and become rather stiff and dry.

It may be salvageable in the hands of an accomplished leather whisperer – we don’t know.

There are some cracks and splits in the driver’s seat.

There are also some cracks to the leather trim at the base of the n/s/r window.

The door cards are grubby but otherwise OK, as is the headlining.

Moths have been feasting on the carpets in the front footwells but have been less voracious in their appetites elsewhere.

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

The boot is intact and in reasonable condition.

While the dashboard and instruments also appear to be in good condition, 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.

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

There is some rust to be seen under the sills but, from what we can see, the undersides seem to have a decent amount of structural integrity.

Clearly, you’ll want to take a look for yourself.

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 and as good as the rest of it, we think this is a fine, authentic and largely original Vantage that just needs some TLC here and there to recapture some, most or even all of its former glory – according to time, enthusiasm and budget.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £50,000 - £80,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 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’.