1976 Aston Martin V8 Sports Saloon

1976 Aston Martin V8 Sports Saloon

"After the sale of Aston Martin to 'Company Developments' in January 1972, work started on a comprehensive facelift of the DBS V8, the main visual cue being the adoption of single headlamps and a revised front grille. Now known as the AM V8, the car retained the Bosch mechanical fuel injection system until August 1973, when four twin choke Weber carburetors were fitted, together with updates to the interior trim, a bigger bonnet bulge to clear the carburetor air box, and a redesigned fuel tank to allow more luggage space." – Aston Martin.

The acquisition of Aston Martin by Company Developments in 1972 brought with it a change of name for the V8-engined cars: out went 'DBS V8', in came 'AM V8'. This new 'Series 2' was readily distinguishable by its restyled front which now featured two instead of four headlamps and recalled the looks of the earlier DB six-cylinder sports cars. Electronic ignition and air conditioning were now standard.

Introduced in 1973, the 'Series 3' employed a quartet of Weber 42 DCNF carburetors instead of the previous Bosch mechanical fuel injection, the change bringing with it increased torque and necessitating a larger bonnet bulge. Although not quoted, the power output of the standard car was around 300bhp and even in automatic transmission form the V8 could reach 100mph in around 15 seconds and better 145mph flat-out. Summarizing its 1973 road test of a V8 automatic, Autocar magazine revealed that the new version of the V8 Aston engine with four Weber carburetors and automatic transmission had proved nearly as quick as its manual-transmission fuel-injected predecessor and fractionally more economical, concluding that it was: "A well-equipped car with magnificent stride for long journeys."

Descriptions & pictures by bonhams & wikipedia