1977 Aston Martin V8 Fastback Coupe

The replacement for the Aston Martin DBS V8 was launched in 1972. The William Towns-designed Aston Martin V8 (also known as the AMV8) was mechanically identical to its predecessor and was the final model with its development overseen by David Brown. Production continued through 1989 with several developmental changes along the way. When it ended production in 1989, it was the company's longest-running model, with one even having a starring role in the 1987 James Bond movie The Living Daylights.

The hand-built, four-seater Aston Martin V8 was at once the fastest GT car of its generation, with a genuine 160 mph. Under the bonnet was the Tadek Marek-designed, alloy block-and-head 5.3-liter V8 engine with dual overhead camshafts per cylinder bank.

From 1973, the Series III cars were given dual-choke Weber carburetors to produce 320 horsepower. Disc brakes and sophisticated underpinnings provided excellent ride and handling.

This Aston Martin V8 is a Weber-carbureted Series III example and is one of just 967 produced between 1973 and October of 1978. It is an original left-hand-drive US-delivery example, factory-fitted with a desirable ZF five-speed manual gearbox and 3.54:1 rear-axle ratio. The car was factory-finished in Ascot Grey with burgundy hides and red carpeting, which it continues to wear in modern times.

After the car was completed at Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell works, it was shipped to the US on August 26, 1977, and sold by Classic Coachworks of Marietta, Georgia, to its first owner, Dr. Joe Edwards of Savannah on April 6, 1978. Mr. Edwards is believed to have retained the car for approximately 10 years.

Subsequent owner, Joe Drury of North Carolina, treated the car to a high-quality bare-metal repaint in the original Ascot Grey, with various mechanical work carried out. On October 22, 2010, the AMV8 was sold at just over 55,100 miles to Joseph T. Macari Jr. of Cutchogue, New York, with the car passing through three more collections until the AMV8 was acquired by the current owner. Currently, it has less than 60,000 miles.

The car is powered by a dual overhead cam, Alloy V8 engine with four twin-choke Weber carburetors and produces 320 horsepower. There is a five-speed ZF manual gearbox with 4-wheel Hydraulic disc brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2014