VIBRANT V8! ASTON’S MIGHTY MUSCLE CAR!

During the Classic Motor Show at the NEC, there was ONE car that each of the Roadster! kids made a beeline for… this wonderful bright yellow V8… Aston’s Martin’s mighty muscle car!

In the previous issue we had a look at the Aston Martin DB7 - a car developed as a much needed mass production addition to the hand built Astons which took many months to make. In this issue we thought we’d take a closer take a look at one of those hand built cars.

Aston Martin’s famous “DB” line dominated the 1960’s…

DB4

Launched at the 1958 London Motor Show, the Italian styled DB4 “Superleggera” caused a sensation in the early 60’s.

DB5

1963’s “DB5” was made super famous as James Bond’s gadget laden spy car.

DB6

The “DB6” followed it in 1965 with refinements and improvements to the design.

By the end of the decade, the “DB” styling was starting to look dated. Big American muscle cars like the Ford Mustang, the Pontiac GTO and the Plymouth Roadrunner were becoming popular and Aston Martin needed something to compete.

A new, more powerful V8-engine was being planned, but it was too big to fit into the “DB6”, so Aston set about designing an all new car for the American car market.

The brief was to take all of the classic “DB” elements but give them a more contemporary muscle car twist.

Aston launched the “DBS” in 1967, though the initially planned V8 engine wasn’t quite ready, so Aston fitted it with the “straight 6” from the DB6.

The sleek and angular DBS V8 finally arrived in September 1969, becoming the fastest four-seater production car in the world at the time!

Did You Know?

The Aston Martin V8 was entirely handbuilt at Aston’s factory in Newport Pagnall. Each car took 1,200 man-hours to finish!

EVOLUTION

Over the course of its production life the car saw a few tweaks and changes:

The OG!

The OG! (Series 1), introduced in 1969 - the fastest four-seater around!

Series 2

The Series 2 V8 arrived in 1972 with a new front end, twin headlights and a mesh grille. The car also featured a new fuel-injected version of the V8 engine.

Series 3

Launched in 1973, due to problems with the earlier fuel-injected engine. The car introduced some bodywork changes and all new tyres.

Series 4

(aka Oscar India)

This car was launched in 1978, with a smoother hood, rear spoiler and wood trim in the interior.

The Series 4 introduced famous “Volante” convertible model which proved to be extremely popular!

Series 5

Launched in 1986, the Series 5 brought an improved fuel-injected engine.

Production of the V8 finally ended in 1989, with some 4,000 cars on the road!

CONFIDENTIAL! Did you know?

007 MISSION: “The Living Daylights”

CAR: Modified Aston Martin V8!

KEY FACTS:

At the beginning of James Bond’s mission the car is presented as a convertible “Volante” version (in real life the car was owned by the Aston Martin chairman!). The V8 is later "winterized" with a hardtop

CLASSIFIED:

Different cars were used for the film!

MODIFICATIONS:

The car featured many gadgets, including weapons and defensive systems which James Bond uses in the film:

Head-up display

Police band radio

Tyre spikes

Rocket motor behind rear number plate

Retractable outriggers

Heat-seeking missiles behind front fog lights

Lasers in front wheel hubcaps

Bulletproof windows and body

Self-destruct system

The V8 Vantage returned in the 2021 James Bond film, “No Time to Die”.

Sharing the Love!

The car the Roadster! kids got to look at was a 1978 Series 3 model. The car is an AMAZING factory original bright yellow paint colour called “Mandarin Yellow” - this makes the car really rare! Aston Martin say only around 8 cars were ever produced in this colour - one is in AUSTRALIA!

Just like James Bond’s car, this car has been fitted with a few “optional extras” to upgrade it to "Vantage spec" - some SERIOUS engine upgrades! turning it from a “tame” muscle car into a BEAST of a machine!

ROADSTER! Got to chat with current owners, Andrew and Gillian, about their owning their fantastic car!

ROADSTER! Wow, that's a stunning car!

A&G: Thanks! We think so too!

ROADSTER! How long have you owned it?

A&G: Since May 2023.

ROADSTER! What made you decide to buy it?

ANDREW: I had always wanted one, and I finally found one!

ROADSTER! What drew you to the V8 in particular?

ANDREW: It's a legendary engine, and I LOVE the 70s muscle car style!

ROADSTER!: That bright yellow is quite something!

GILLIAN: It's a rare color, and people really seem to love it!

ROADSTER! What adventures have you had with the car?

GILLIAN: We've been to car shows, races, and even a trip to France— ANDREW: though we did have one breakdown!

ROADSTER! What do you love about owning a classic car?

ANDREW: It's just fun to drive. They're easier to fix, and we've had some great experiences!

ROADSTER! What's the most rewarding aspect?

GILLIAN: These cars 'open doors' to events, places and people that are not available to 'ordinary' cars.

ROADSTER! And what are the biggest challenges?

ANDREW: Maintenance and keeping rust away!

ROADSTER! Do you ever worry about driving it in traffic?

ANDREW! Not at all! It's smaller than it looks!

ROADSTER! What has your favorite drive been?

GILLIAN: Trips abroad! We are shortly off to Italy with it!

ROADSTER! Do you think it's important to keep classic cars like this on the road?

ANDREW: Absolutely! Cars like this are history! They are very popular and they support a lot of jobs.

ROADSTER! Should kids be interested in classic cars?

ANDREW: Yes, if they're interested.

ROADSTER! Why should kids care about older cars?

ANDREW: Age doesn't matter. If you like it, get involved!

ROADSTER! How can kids like us get involved?

ANDREW: There’s all sorts you can do! Younger drivers can join clubs where they can borrow cars. Look into apprenticeships, join car clubs, or even try racing!

ROADSTER! Thank you for sharing your car with us!

A&G: You're very welcome! Tell your readers to say hi if they ever see us driving around!

REARVIEW MIRROR - Jack!

This is an awesome car! Jack - “I loved the powerful V8 engine!”

Sam - “I loved the colour!” Richie - “I can imagine going on fantastic adventures in it!”

This is a car TO DRIVE on epic road trips, and each of the Roadster! kids would LOVE a go when they are older!