1981 Aston Martin V8 Series 4

1981 Aston Martin V8 Series 4 'Oscar India' Sports Saloon

Shortly after reorganization under new ownership as AML (1975) Ltd, Aston Martin resumed development of its highly successful V8. A host of improvements was to be incorporated in the forthcoming Series 4, scheduled for introduction in October 1978. Built from then until 1986, these cars are generally known by the factory's 'Oscar India' sobriquet, standing for 'October Introduction'. The most obvious differences were a restyled bonnet and boot-mounted spoiler, while the cabin received a redesigned dashboard and center console, and the headlining became leather rather than cloth. There were, of course, countless other improvements, most notably to the air conditioning and to the shock absorber settings. The most successful Aston Martin ever, the V8 survived the changes of ownership and financial upheavals of the 1970s, enjoying a record-breaking production run lasting from 1969 to 1988, with 2,919 cars sold.

Descriptions and pictures by bonhams