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.

VIN: DBS/5720/R.

The 6-cylinder Engine No. is: 400/4809/S.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this 1971 RHD auto Aston Martin DBS comes with no paperwork beyond whatever photocopied documents are shown in the gallery section.

It comes with a copy of its original specification sheets, some AMOC records, a copy of an old UK registration document, and its 1991 UK tax disc.

It was supplied new by H.R. Owen and was originally ‘Pacific Blue’ with a ‘Natural’ leather interior and ‘Woburn Sand’ carpets.

The car takes power to the dashboard and the engine turns over.

Today, the mileage is 86,138.

We believe it was bought in England for the vendor by his European agent in 2011.

We haven’t tried to drive the car, so our appraisal of it is limited to its cosmetic appearance – which puts it into ‘project’ status.

We say that at least partly because the car was clearly a restoration project that got stopped at some point.

There are signs of restoration work in progress, patches of applied filler, and the sill covers are currently inside the car rather than covering the sills.

Well, it’s clearly seen rather better days.

The sills have fought, and mostly lost, their battle against the encroachment of rust, flaking and holes.

There are sizeable patches of filler on both front wings where previous repair work has been initiated, as well as at the base of the doors and on the ‘A’ pillar on the nearside.

There is further bubbling around both the windscreen and the rear screen, plus some outbreaks on the roof.

The wire wheels are corroded, as is the chrome work.

The boot is shabby and contains a spare wire wheel.

The lock mechanism is missing from the passenger door.

It’s a similar story on the inside (from where you can see the outside, courtesy of corrosion at the base of the passenger door), but it’s by no means all bad news.

The tan leather upholstery has deep creases, a few cracks and a couple of small tears in it but is not, we think, beyond the arcane ministrations of a talented leather whisperer.

The headlining is OK, as are the dashboard and door cards. The carpets are dirty and worn.

The boot, which contains a spare wire wheel, is intact but scruffy.

The sun visors have gone missing.

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 car.

The engine and engine bay seem dry and intact if decidedly dusty and dirty.

Unsurprisingly, there’s plenty of rust to be seen under the car.

Clearly, you’ll want to reach your own conclusion on the extent to which this may or may not compromise the car’s structural integrity.

Unless otherwise stated, this car comes with no history or service records beyond whatever photocopied documents are shown in the gallery.

No documents shown in the gallery in any way constitute any kind of current licensing or registration certification.

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.

Well, there’s some work to do, for sure.

But someone has already started the process and, given the rarity and appeal of these hand-built Astons, there’s every chance that the job of restoring it could be very worthwhile - provided, of course, that the engine, electrics and mechanicals prove to be amenable to recommissioning.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at BonhamsICars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.