1982 Aston Martin V8 Volante

The Aston Martin V8, also known as the AMV8, was launched in 1972 as the successor to the mechanically identical DBSV8 and the final model developed during the David Brown era. It became the company's longest-running series with production continuing through 1989. The hand-built, luxuriously appointed, four-seater was one of the fastest and most elegant cars of its era. Each example required 1,200 man-hours to finish. Styled by Aston Martin designer William Towns, who designed the prior DBS, it continued to utilize the Tadek Marek-designed, all-alloy 5.3-liter V-8 engine featuring dual overhead camshafts per cylinder bank. Early examples used fuel injection which was soon replaced with four Weber twin-choke carburetors and developed over 300 horsepower in American-market tune. The sophisticated underpinnings and potent disc brakes matched the sophistication of the eight-cylinder powerplant.

Aston Martin made numerous visual and mechanical refinements during the production lifespan of the AMV8, which progressed through five series. Built from 1969 through 1989, a total of 4,021 examples were built including the DBS V8, Vantage and Volante models. The Aston Martin V8 was retired in 1989 and replaced by the Virage.

The Aston Martin DBS V8 was built from 1969 through 1972, sharing its body and name with the six-cylinder DBS, but fitted with the more potent V8 engine. The exterior styling of the body featured four headlights positioned on either end of the square-off grille. The accommodate the V8 engine, the DBS V8 had a larger front air dam and rode atop wire wheels wrapped with 225/70VR15 tires. The 5.3-liter eight-cylinder engine used Bosch fuel injection and developed approximately 315 horsepower. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 7.1 seconds and the top speed was 150 mph (242 km/h).

Aston Martin built 402 examples of the DBS V8 before it became just the Aston Martin V8 in April of 1972 (when the six-cylinder DBS was dropped). This version is retroactively referred to as the Series 2 V8 to distinguish it from later models.

The Aston Martin V8 Series 2
The so-called Series 2 cars were built from May of 1972 through July of 1973 with 288 examples constructed during that time. The first 34 cars, however, wore the leftover 'DBS V8' badging. Distinguishable styling elements included the twin quartz-halogen headlights and a mesh grille, a front design that was to last until the end of production in 1989.

The Aston Martin V8 Series 3
The 'Series III' AMV8 coupes were built from August of 1973 to September of 1978 (production was halted for all of 1975). The total production during this time period was 967 examples. The fuel injection system was removed and replaced by Weber carburetors, reportedly due to new stricter emissions standards in California or perhaps because Aston Martin had trouble getting the Bosch fuel injection system to work properly. With the four twin-choke, two-barrel Weber carburetors installed, a taller hood scoop was needed for additional clearance. The 310 horsepower engine allowed the AMV8 to reach sixty mph in 5.7 seconds with a manual transmission and 6.1 seconds with an automatic gearbox. Emission regulations robbed the engine of some of its power by 1976, falling to 288 bhp. To cope with the loss, a more potent 'Stage 1' engine arrived the following year with a new exhaust system and camshafts that brought output to 305 horsepower.

Tire options included 225/70VR15 Avon TurboSpeed or 235/70VR15 Turbospeed tires on the Auto models. The manual cars used the 255/60R15 Pirelli Cinturato CN12 sourced from the Vantage.

The Aston Martin V8 Series 4 'Oscar India'

Aston Martin introduced the 'Oscar India' specification, sobriquet standing for 'October Introduction,' at the Birmingham International Motor Show in October of 1978. In January 1977 the factory introduced a series of engine modifications known as the 'Stage 1' tune, its presence indicated by the suffix 'S' applied to both chassis and engine numbers, and this enhanced specification was standard on the 'Oscar India' cars.

The Series 4 cars would remain in production from 1978 through 1985 with 352 examples built. Most of these would receive a Chrysler 'TOrqueFlite' three-speed automatic transmission, and styling updates included a closed 'power bulge' on the bonnet and a spoiler integrated into the tail. Emissions continued to cripple the engine, with output now rated at 245 horsepower during the early eighties. The interiors received wood trim which signaled the first use since the DB2/4 of the 1950s.

The convertible 'Volante' was introduced in June 1978 and its popularity led to the coupe model being built on individual demand by 1981. The Volantes had the Series 4 hood (bonnet) and due to the reinforcements made to the frame, weighing approximately 155 lbs more than the coupe. While the coupe took approximately 50 days to build, the Volante required twice as much time.

The Aston Martin V8 Series 5
The Series 5 cars were introduced at the New York International Auto Show in January of 1986 with production lasting through 1989 with a total of 216 examples built. The Series 5 represented a return to fuel injection, and since it did not occupy the space required by the carburetors, the hood bulge was no longer needed.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2022