1971 Aston Martin DBS

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 1971 RHD auto DBS6 has the number DBS/5697/FI/R stamped on the chassis and, originally (as far as we can tell), was one of just 15 cars to leave the factory with AE Brico fuel injection.

A rather newer-than-original-looking tag inside the engine bay tells us that the original engine was numbered 400/4846/SFI – making it an AE Brico-equipped engine.

The eagle-eyed among you, however, will have spotted that the engine that’s currently under the bonnet is, in fact, adorned with triple Weber carburettors.

This engine block is stamped with the number 400/3960/V, meaning that it is the more powerful Vantage-spec engine.

That’s our best theory about the evolution of this car’s chassis/engine history.

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, it comes with no paperwork beyond whatever photocopies are shown in the gallery section – none of which constitutes any kind of licensing or registration documentation.

The car doesn’t currently start or run, so consequently we can only assess it on its cosmetic condition.

We know that the car’s odometer currently reads 12,309 miles.

And we know that the car was purchased for the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in 2012.

The bodywork is generally decent with no dents, folds, holes or creases of any real consequence in evidence.

The panels, panel gaps and shut lines look consistent and even, although the driver’s door is currently only prepared to open if operated from the inside.

The major exception to the generally reasonable news is the front valance, which is split on both sides and is hanging down loose on the nearside.

The wire wheels seem pretty decent but will need a thorough clean as a minimum and full-refurbishment as a rather more desirable long-term option.

The chrome is not too bad, although there is some light foxing and pitting here and there.

The car has clearly been repainted at some point (there’s some over-spray in a couple of places), and it is starting to show its age.

There are some cracks to the paint and some bubbling on top of the front wing and beneath the windscreen on the nearside.

The n/s/f wheel arch has some cracks in the paint, too, and the roof is showing some patches of micro-blistering.

There are cracks to the paint and some over-spray drips beneath the boot lid on the nearside.

There’s some bubbling around the nearside fuel filler flap and, around its offside counterpart, paint has flaked off and there are a few scuffs and cracks in evidence.

There are also some scuffs and paint cracks around the o/s/r wheel arch.

The Aston Martin F.I. DBS badging is missing from the o/s/f wing, but fear not – it’s inside the car.

There are scuffs and marks and a few cracks in the paint on the driver’s door and the base of the bodywork immediately behind it.

There is some bubbling at the base of the offside ‘A’ pillar, the base of the driver’s door and the base of the o/s/f wheel arch.

The paint is cracked and splitting on the bodywork where it meets the chrome trim above the windscreen.

The paint below the front grille is decidedly rough and orange-peel-like.

The exterior rubber trim is perished in many places.

The condition of the interior is very much in keeping with the exterior: it’s good in parts, less so in others, and a bit shabby elsewhere.

The dark blue leather upholstery is not, we think, beyond redemption, but there are some cracks and splits in the driver’s seat and a couple of holes in the rear seats.

Parts of the carpets and mats have proved irresistibly flavoursome to some moths and their offspring.

The headlining has fared rather better.

The door cards are intact but rather shabby (and the carpets at the base are moth-eaten), and the sun visors have turned decidedly ‘crispy’.

There are some scuffs to the leather on the console surrounding the gear selector.

The Moto-Lita steering wheel boss has become detached.

Some trim is hanging down in the passenger footwell.

The boot, while intact, is also a little shabby and contains a spare wheel.

While the dashboard and instruments 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, if rather dusty.

There is some rust to be seen here and there beneath the car but, as far as we can tell, the undersides seem to have a decent amount of structural integrity.

Obviously, you’ll want to judge 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 a 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.

If we’re right about the car’s provenance, then this started off in life as one of just 15 fuel injected DBS6s.

That makes it very rare indeed.

And if we’re right about the replacement Vantage-spec engine, then that makes it a really very desirable car today, despite the fact that it clearly needs some TLC to get it back to its best – provided, of course, that the car’s engine and mechanicals are amenable to recommissioning.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £35,000 - £50,000, 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’.