1971 Aston Martin DBSV8

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: DBSV8/10315/RC.

Engine No: V/540/305.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this 1971 RHD auto Aston Martin DBSV8 comes with no paperwork beyond whatever photocopied documents are shown in the gallery section.

It does, however, have an old UK tax disc affixed to the windscreen – which tells us that, in 2011, the car was alive and well and living in Barmouth, Wales.

Today the 5-digit odometer is showing 04,975 miles.

The car is red with a tan leather interior.

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

We haven’t tried to drive the car, so our appraisal of it is limited to its cosmetic appearance.

The bodywork is in broadly decent condition and even the paint work has survived the ravages of time and use with commendable pluck.

The panels, panel gaps and shut-lines are all good, although we have to say that opening the bonnet is currently a considerable challenge.

We finally managed it (after a lot of grunting and, yes, the utterance of some profanities) by tugging on a bonnet release cable we accessed through the vent in the o/s/f wing.

The wheels are not original and look as if they’d be more at home on an Alpina BMW. They are missing their centre hub caps for some reason.

The chrome-work is OK, as are the badging, lights, lenses and other exterior fixtures and fittings.

A small outbreak of bubbling can be seen on the bonnet and an even smaller one is discernible just below the nearside ‘A’ pillar.

There is some bubbling to be found at the base of the o/s/f wing and the driver’s door, and there’s some paint missing on the rear edge of the same wing ahead of the door.

There’s also some bubbling at the base of the o/s/r wing ahead of the wheel arch, scuffs and some missing paint on the rear edge of the driver’s door, and a few scuffs and paint chips around the rear light clusters.

There is a patch of missing paint on the n/s/f wing and some scuffed paint on the leading edge of the bonnet and the bodywork ahead of it.

You can see signs of a previous repair and some missing paint on the rear edge of the n/s/f wing where it meets the door. There are patches of missing paint on the same wing and a few scuffs and scrapes near the handle on the passenger door.

There’s a paint chip and a scratch on the n/s/r wing.

The exterior rubber trim has survived pretty well.

The car’s interior is really rather good, given the vehicle’s age and that fact that it’s not seen any leather cleaning or feeding products for a considerable amount of time.

The tan leather upholstery is free of any cracks, rips or holes, as far as we can see, and the only sign of wear that goes slightly beyond ‘patina’ is on the door-side shoulder of the driver’s seat.

The carpets, mats, door cards and headlining are all decent, although the carpet by the bonnet release mechanism is a little split and frayed (quite possibly caused by the exertions of previous unfortunates tasked with solving the problem of how to open the bonnet without dislocating a shoulder).

The padding above the dashboard is a little scuffed in places.

The boot, which doesn’t contain a spare wheel, is broadly OK, if a little ‘disassembled’.

The engine and engine bay seem dry and intact if rather dusty.

The undersides appear to have a good deal of structural integrity - but you’ll want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusion.

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.

This splendid pedigree car seems to us to be in very reasonable overall order and more than worthy of whatever effort and enthusiasm may be required to restore it to its former glory – provided, of course, that the engine, electrics and mechanicals are amenable to recommissioning.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located BonhamsICars Online HQ, United Kingdom. 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’.