Highlights

Engine rebuild to original 5.3-litre specification 5,000 miles ago
Full bodywork restoration and respray and interior retrim
Full service and rolling road tune-up in August 2023
Owned for 22 years by the current seller
Desirable Series 3 car with Weber carburettors
Series 3 Vantage front and rear end styling
Huge list of work covering all areas since 2002
Gearbox, brakes, suspension and steering rack rebuilt
See the restoration process here!

The Appeal

The simply-named V8 introduced the idea of the big, brutally quick Aston Martin. With its sculpturally scooped bonnet and front and rear spoiler, these cars blended the delicacy of the earlier Astons with something altogether more purposeful.

A quartet of guzzling Webers makes the Series 3 the V8 you want. Power was up to over 300bhp, but with less than 1,000 built they are as rare ans they are sought-after. This ‘78 car is one of the best we’ve seen in a while thanks to the lavish investment by its enthusiast keeper who acquired the car in 2002.

He reports that since buying the car there are few areas that haven’t been rebuilt or restored. Notable that includes a full bodywork restoration and respray in fetching Silver metallic, a cabin retrim in equally appealing mid blue and a full engine rebuild by specialist Sigma Engineering. The same firm has rebuilt those hungry Webers. We are told the mechanicals have been set up to desirable factory ‘Fast Road’ specification. The automatic gearbox has also been rebuilt.

The steering rack, brake discs, servo, suspension springs and shock absorbers have all been replaced or refurbished. The car has covered few miles since a full service in late 2023 that included a rolling road tune up.

When you buy any car, but particularly any Aston Martin, you want to capitalise on the previous keeper’s investment. Here is exactly such an opportunity. Aston Martin’s V8 is one of its greatest creations and this desirable Series 3 has the specification, condition and provenance to really stand out.

The vendor says:

“I can’t think of any components that have been missed out in the rebuild and restoration over the 22 years that I have had the car. It has been driven at least twice a month in fine weather only since I have had it. It drives very well.

“I retired 5 years ago and have too many cars so need to downsize my cars now.“

The History and Paperwork

First registered 1st January 1978
Seven registered keepers from new
Current keeper since December 2002
Always stored in a heated garage by current keeper
Only for sale as vendor is trimming down his collection
Full service and rolling road tune-up by Sigma Engineering in August 2023
Engine rebuild to original 5.3-litre specification 5,000 miles ago
Gearbox rebuilt to Torqueflight 3-speed auto box specification
Extensive list of renovations and improvements summarised above and below
V5C in current keeper’s name
MOT expired January 2023 with one minor advisories
78,771 miles showing on last MOT and 79,100 miles reported by seller

The Condition

Popular ‘silver birch’ style silver metallic paint presents well
We are told that the exterior and interior colour scheme are factory correct
Car bodywork and paintwork fully restored during current keeper’s tenure
Few indications of age or use to bodywork and paintwork
Fitted with Vantage-style Series 3 front and rear styling as shown
Factory alloy wheels in good order with no obvious deterioration or damage
Retrimmed blue hide interior with matching carpets is very well kept
New carpets fitted in 2024 to match the original 1978 colour
Good quality stereo and CD player fitted
Wood-rimmed factory steering wheel fitted
Exterior lights and chromework present well with no faults or damage reported
Interior fittings including door cards, switchgear and dashboard in good order
No reported dashboard warning lights
No reported electrics, switchgear, dial or lighting issues

With its smart silver paintwork - which appears to be factory ‘silver birch’ - and lovely mid blue leather cabin, this is one very attractive car. We are told that the bodywork was restored some years ago and repainted in the original colour, with the interior also retrimmed to the same correct specification. It is a testament to the seller’s care that it looks in such good order. The blue carpets were retrimmed in 2024

Beyond the condition it is the neat upgrade details that set this car apart. It features Vantage-style front and rear spoilers that dial up the purposeful nature of these V8-powered cars. Inside there is a smart wood-rimmed wheel with factory boss.

The Mechanics

Matching numbers car with rebuilt 5.3L engine by Sigma Engineering
Engine fully rebuilt by the specialist 5,000 miles ago according to seller
3spd Torqueflite automatic gearbox also rebuilt within similar timescale
We are told the car is factory specification to ‘Fast Road’ spec
Full service and rolling road test in August 2023
Steering rack, disc brakes servos, and suspension components rebuilt or replaced
Recently tuned, including the 4 Weber carburettors, by Sigma Engineering
The vendor states oil pressure is perfect through rev changes
No reported running or driving issues
One very minor advisory on last MOT test

Aston Martin’s new Mustang-influenced fastback coupe was always meant to have Tadek Marek’s brilliant V8, but it took a while for the two to meet. When it did the firm took the opportunity to dial up the aesthetics to match the increase in power.

The V8 is a brutally quick car with over 300bhp on tap. With all that hand-built excellence on show, any buyer will want the reassurance of impeccable maintenance. Which is where this car firmly scores.

The vendor acquired the car in 2002 and tells us that there are few - if any - areas that haven’t been attended to. Major work has included a full engine rebuild 5,000 miles ago by specialist Sigma Engineering. The tough Torqueflite auto box has also been rebuilt. Suspension, brakes and steering rack have also received work. Sigma also overhauled and tuned the quartet of Webers.

The car was serviced in August 2023 and rolling road tuned. It has covered very few miles since, which is confirmed by the MOT records. It arrives with the buyer requiring no immediate work and in great mechanical order.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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