Aston Martin V8 :: FactFile

The first of these cars, the six-cylinder DBS, appeared in 1967, and was replaced by the 5.3-litre V8-engined DBS-V8 in 1969. Hand-built by craftsmen, and assembled at Newport Pagnell (near Milton Keynes), further-developed versions of this V8-engined machine were on sale until 1989. All types were based on a steel platform chassis, and clothed in a steel/aluminium style shaped by William Towns.

Most were four-seater coupes, but a Volante (convertible) was added in 1978. Vantage versions, much more powerful than the originals, were also available from 1977.

The first DBS-V8 cost £6,897 and could reach 160mph, while the Vantage could approach 180mph: The company changed the model name to Aston Martin V8 in 1972, but never revealed the power output of any version. Manual or automatic versions were available. Twenty years later, and still looking the same, the final V8 Vantage cost £110,000. 2,666 cars of all types were produced.

To replace the V8, Aston Martin introduced the Virage, which used most of the well-proven running gear. The last of the V8 engines, in fact, was not built until 2000.