Rare Car Archive

Makes › Aston Martin United Kingdom › V8 › V8 Series 1 (1969-1972) · Rare production · 1972

Aston Martin
V8 Series 1 (1969-1972)

First series of the Aston Martin V8, the DBS body with the V8 engine

Still being researched: identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

IDENTIFICATION CARD · ASTON MARTIN V8 SERIES 1 (1969-1972) 1972
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
?ProductionNot yet verified
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
Not yet verified
Years
1972
Engine
90 degree DOHC V8 · 5,340 cc / 5.3 LFactory: 5,340 cc
Power
Not yet verified
Top speed
235 km/hFactory: 146 mph · converted
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The V8 was the engine the DBS body had been designed around, giving Aston Martin one of the fastest cars of its day once it arrived two years after the DBS launch.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed Production figure not yet verified.
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

No production figures recorded yet.

History

The DBS was introduced in 1967 with a six-cylinder engine and received the V8 it was designed around in 1969. In 1972 David Brown sold the company and the nose styling was revised; this new nose stayed with the V8 for the next 17 years.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard V8 Series 1 (1969-1972).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
Layout90 degree DOHC V81Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
Displacement 5,340 cc / 5.3 LFactory: 5,340 cc1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
BoreNot yet verified
StrokeNot yet verified
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Fuel systemBosch mechanical fuel injection, until August 19732,1 Independently researchedRM describes the AMV8 in general, not this car alone.
PowerNot yet verified
Power atNot yet verified
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox5-speed ZF manual or 3-speed Chrysler automatic1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
Gears51Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionIndependent wishbones with anti-roll bar, coil springs and telescopic dampers1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
Rear suspensionDe Dion tube with Watts linkage and trailing links, coil springs and telescopic dampers1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
BrakesFour ventilated discs, inboard at the rear; servo-assisted, independent hydraulic circuits1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 261 cmFactory: 261 cm1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
Length 470 cmFactory: 470 cm1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
Width 183 cmFactory: 183 cm1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
Height 133 cmFactory: 133 cm1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 1,818 kgFactory: 1,818 kg1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry. The page says only "Weight"; kerb or dry is not stated.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 235 km/hFactory: 146 mph · converted1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
0–60 mph 6.6 s1Base AMV8 Saloon figure from the heritage page; the page gives no series-specific value for this entry.
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    AMV8 1972 to 1989 (Heritage Cars), archived Aston Martin heritage page Level C Aston Martin · 2009-12-18
    • Engine: 90 degree DOHC V8, 5340cc
    • The series 1 was initially built with fuel injection
    • Transmission: 5 speed ZF manual or 3 speed Chrysler Automatic
    • 5 speed ZF manual or 3 speed Chrysler Automatic
    • Independent wishbone suspension incorporating an anti-roll bar
    • De-Dion tube, Watts linkage and trailing links
    • Four ventilated discs, inboard mounted at the rear.
    • Wheelbase: 8' 6 3/4'' (261cm)
    • Overall length: 15' 9'' (470cm)
    • Width: 6' (183cm)
    • Height: 4' 4'' (133cm)
    • Weight: 4008lb (1818kg)
    • Top Speed: 146 mph
    • 0-60 mph 6.6 secs
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  2. 2
    1977 Aston Martin V8 Coupe, lot 2122, California 2015 Level C RM Sotheby's
    • The AMV8 retained the Bosch mechanical fuel injection until August of 1973
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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