1980 Aston Martin V8

The design team at Newport Pagenll eventually folded to the demands of their customers who were seeking an eight-cylinder car, along with pressure from the Marketing Department for a larger two-door saloon. The new car was called the DBS, and made its debut in 1967. It was more luxuriously appointed than the DB6, and the additional weight meant the performance of the carry-over 4.0-liter six was less than its outgoing sibling. Aston Martin had intended the DBS to carry its new V8 engine, but production difficulties delayed its arrival until 1969. When the engine was finally ready for use, it offered an estimated 315 horsepower form the 5,340cc four-cam unit, giving the DBS V8 the ability to achieve 100 mph in under 14 seconds. Top speed was in the neighborhood of 160 mph, making it the fastest production car in the world.

After Aston Martin's acquisition by Company Developments in 1972, production resumed with the Series 2, now known as the Aston Martin V8. Bodystyle changes included a restyled front end that recalling the appearance of earlier Astons. Production of the V8 lasted from 1969 until 1988, with 2,919 examples sold. It was built in several variants, with one of the most exclusive versions being the Volante convertible. The Volante made its appearance in June of 1978. It had a lined, power-operated top and a top speed of 150 mph, ranking it among the world's fastest convertible.

The Fourth Series or Oscar India V8 (Oscar India being AM factory 'shorthand' for October Introduction) was introduced in October of 1978 at the Birmingham Motor Show. They received a re-profiled 'power bulge' bonnet, GKN alloy wheels, and an integrated rear lip spoiler. Mechanical changes were minimal; it retained the same independent coil-sprung front suspension, De Dion rear axle, four-wheel disc brakes and power assisted rack and pinion steering as its predecessors. Most of the Tadek Marek designed 5,340cc DOHC V8 engines with quad Weber carburetors were backed by a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Bodystyles included a fixed-head or convertible. The interiors were more luxurious and refined than the past models, with full leather upholstery, air conditioning, and walnut door cappings as standard equipment.

V8 Volante and Vantage Volante chassis numbers ran from '15001' to '15849', a total of 849 cars. Total V8 Volante with carburetor engines amounted to 439 cars.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2019