THE KNOWLEDGE
TIMELINE
1972 May AM V8 (S2) launched: single headlights, Bosch fuel injection, c300bhp
1973 Aug S3: four Weber 42DCNF carbs, bigger bonnet bulge, rear lip, revised interior
1977 Feb V8 Vantage: blanked grille, air dam, boot spoiler, Perspex headlamp covers, four Weber 48IDAS, c380bhp, stiffer suspension
1978 Jun V8 Volante: wood dash/door tops, bonnet intake closed, rear chassis stiffening
1978 Oct S4 V8 ‘Oscar India’: boot spoiler
1986 Jan S5 (Volante S2): Weber/marelli injection, no bonnet bulge; Vantage S2 (carbs)
1986 Oct Vantage S3: 400bhp (X-pack 432bhp); 186mph Vantage Zagato added
1987 May Volante Zagato launched
1987 Oct Vantage Volante added
1989 Dec Last V8 built, replaced by Virage
FACTFILE
Sold/number built 1972-’89/2951
Construction steel chassis/superstructure, aluminium panels Engine all-alloy, dohcper-bank 5340cc V8, with Bosch or Weber/ Marelli injection, or four Weber carbs
Max power 280bhp @ 5000rpm to 432bhp @ 6000rpm Max torque 320lb ft @ 4000rpm to 395lb ft @ 5100rpm Transmission fivespeed manual or three-speed auto, RWD
Suspension: front wishbones, anti-roll bar
rear de Dion axle, parallel links, Watt linkage; telescopic dampers, coil springs f/r
Steering power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes vented discs, with servo
Length 15ft 3/4in (4648-4674mm) Width
6ft (1830mm) Height 4ft 41/4-6in (13271372mm) Wheelbase 8ft 63/4in (2610mm)
Weight 3800-4009lb (1727-1822kg) 0-60mph 5.2-7.2 secs Top speed 145-168mph Mpg 14-15 Price new £40,000 (V8, 1983)
CLUBS
Aston Martin Owners Club 01865 400400; amoc.org
SPECIALISTS
Aston Martin Works astonmartinworks.com RS Williams rswilliams.co.uk Aston Service London astonservicelondon.com Chiltern Aston Centre chilternaston.co.uk Desmond J Smail djsmail.co.uk HWM astonmartinparts. net Trinity Engineering trinityaston.co.uk Aston Engineering astonengineering.co.uk Aston Workshop astonparts.com Nicholas Mee nicholasmee.co.uk Vantage Engineering
vantage-engineering.co.uk Stratton Motor Co
strattonmotorcompany.com Cummings of Bodmin cummingsofbodmin.co.uk Martin’s Aston Services martinsastonservices.co.uk
WHATTOPAY
Project/average/show
V8 £30,000/60,000/150,000
Volante £50,000/125,000/200,000
Vantage £75,000/150,000/350k
Vantage Volante* £150,000/300k/400k