Bonhams Aston Martin Sale at Newport Pagnell 12th May 2007 - Preview

It’s that time of the year again - mid-May, and Works Service will be opening its doors to Bonhams and Aston Martin aficionados worldwide for the annual Sale of marque-related automobilia and motor cars.

This year’s event mixes a selection of post-War cars - predominantly David Brown 6-cylinders and V8s - together with part of a significant collection of Aston Martin memorabilia from one of the world’s leading collectors, Ulrich Schödel. Top billing will probably go to one of the DB convertibles or the 2000 Aston Martin Short Chassis Vantage Volante Special Edition, although there’s also a 2005 Aston Martin DBR9 for the ultimate ‘impulse purchase’.

The 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Mk2 Volante Convertible, estimated at £220,000 - 250,000, carries what the catalogue describes as "every Aston enthusiast’s ‘dream provenance’", it having been the subject of a total restoration at Works Service, and comes equipped with an 80-page report by the Aston Martin Heritage Centre detailing each phase of the work completed. It is therefore, virtually ‘as-new’. A lot of money but (LHD apart) with these credentials and a classy Goodwood Green/Warm Beige/Black Hood specification, who could want more?

The other convertible, the 1965 Aston Martin DB5, is estimated a touch lower (£200,000 - 220,000), but looks another classy (and rarer) entry that will no doubt do well right now on the wave of DB-era Aston enthusiasm. Soft-tops apart, the auction features many DB6s - the most practical and well-sorted of the 4/5/6 line - with cars ranging from £28,000 - 32,000 for a workmanlike 1967 Aston Martin DB6, to £72,000 - 75,000 for a 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage that has clearly had a lot of care and loving attention over its life.

There is only one DB5 Coupé, a 1965 car for £95,000 - 115,000, while DB4s number two; a 1960 Series 2 in cosmetically poor condition for £48,000 - 52,000, and a very nice 1962 Series IV Vantage for £90,000 - 110,000, the latter benefiting from an R S Williams 4.2 litre engine.

Add a couple of cylinders and you get to Aston Martin’s most popular model of the 70s and 80s, the V8 in its many forms. Top-of-the-tree in collectors’ circles is the ‘Prince of Wales’ variation, so-called after a one-off for His Royal Highness became a limited edition run of 25 Volantes with Vantage engines and boot spoiler but no wide wheel arches and side skirts. Bonhams have one such in the sale, a 1989 Aston Martin Vantage Volante ‘Prince of Wales’ for £90,000 - 100,000, and by way of a contrast, a regular 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante at £55,000 - 60,000, red in tooth, claw and coachwork.

Source : www.classicdriver.com