1973 Aston Martin V8

VIN: V8/10631/RCA. Engine No: V540478

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this 1973 RHD auto Aston Martin V8 comes with no paperwork covering its later years beyond whatever photocopied documents are shown in the gallery section. 

Unusually, however, this example does have an old UK V5, a few tax discs and old MoT certificates, and some Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) records.

We know that the car’s mileage was 83,034 in 2008.

We also know that it was bought on behalf of the vendor by his Swiss agent on February 14th 2012, at which time it was showing 83,155 miles on its odometer.

Today, 12 years later, the figure has advanced by just 8 miles to 83,163.

The Swiss agent’s receipt describes the car as being ‘Salisbury Blue’ with a ‘Natural’ interior.

The AMOC records state that it was ‘Imperial Blue’ with an ‘Off-White’ interior when it left the factory. 

Well, whatever the official terminology for the colours may be, it’s still blue and it’s still got what we would describe as a cream-coloured interior.

The car takes electrical power and the engine spins over, but we have not tried to start or drive it (fuel & battery were removed when it was shipped), so our appraisal of it is limited to its cosmetic appearance. 

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. 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 bodywork is in pretty reasonable condition and the car presents well when viewed from a few metres.

The chrome work is decent all round, as are the wheels (although they would, of course, benefit from being professionally refurbished), lights, lenses, badging and other external fixtures and fittings. 

The panels, panel gaps and shut lines appear to be pretty consistent and even, and the doors close with plenty of heft and certainty. 

Get closer than a few metres and a few cosmetic issues become evident.

There is some bubbling at the bases of the rear wheel arches on both sides, in the same places on the n/s/f wheel arch, and along the bottom of the passenger door and into the sill beneath it.

We also spotted a small patch of bubbling next to the nearside filler car and on the nearside edge of the boot lid.

There is a small dent on the ‘C’ pillar behind the rear side window on the offside, and a larger, but shallow, dent on the o/s/f wing above the wheel.

There are various scuffs, scratches and paint chips along the offside flank of the car, plus some bubbling at the base of the o/s/f wing just ahead of the driver’s door.

The nose of the car ahead of the bonnet is showing a few stone chips and there’s a small dink on the leading edge of the bodywork.

The underside of the front valance on the nearside is rough and split in places.

The inside is grubby and rather tired but, in the main, it’s serviceable and largely undamaged.

The cream leather seats are creased and need to be shown plenty of weapons-grade cleaning products, but they look to be fundamentally sound and we found no splits, cracks or holes anywhere.

The carpeted sections of the door cards are very moth-eaten and the trim is split on the driver’s door card. The carpet is missing entirely from the driver’s footwell.  

The headlining looks decent enough, but there’s a split to the trim at the base of the nearside ‘C’ pillar.

The steering wheel, gear selector, handbrake, centre console and dashboard are all in one piece, save for the handbrake gaiter, which is ragged, and the Blaupunkt ‘Montreal’ radio, which is loose and unattached.

The glove compartment contains a hub cap badge from one of the wheels and a chromed cover for the passenger seat recline mechanism. 

The boot is scruffy but appears to be intact, although the lid won’t stay up of its own accord. There is a spare wheel with a flat tyre.

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, and everything appears to be in its right and proper place. 

There is rust and flaking to see in various places underneath. 

Clearly, 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.

It looks good. The wheels and engine turn. There’s some history. It has an old V5 and an MoT trail.

With the proviso that it is amenable to recommissioning and structurally sound, we think that the underlying quality – and rarity – of this pedigree hand-built car should make the task of restoring all, most or some of its former glory more than worthwhile.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £50,000 - £70,000. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars 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’.