1988 Aston Martin V8 'Series 5' Auto Saloon
Registration no. E289 CGN
Chassis no. SCFCV8157JTR12607
Engine no. V/585/2607

Shortly after reorganisation 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 interior became even more opulent, gaining the Volante's wood-embellished fascia together with leather headlining, a restyled centre console and improved air conditioning. The latter was by now standard equipment, as was power-assisted steering, a limited-slip differential, electric window lifts and a heated rear window. Automatic was the standard transmission offering, five-speed manual the option.

Autocar magazine found much to commend in the 'Oscar India' tested in October 1978, reckoning that this latest example from the Newport Pagnell factory stood out as the best-built and most competently finished car it have ever known Aston Martin produce. 'It sets new standards of excellence for the company. In the past there has always been a slightly niggly feeling that one was paying an awful lot of money for a car of rather indifferent trim standards, in which the fabulous performance was not matched by the way the car was put together. Not so any more - the car is a delight, whether to drive, to travel in, or simply to look at.'

Launched in January 1986, the Aston Martin V8 'Series 5' adopted the latest Vantage specification (engine excepted) the following year and thus boasted the Vantage's revised bodywork and 16" wheels. Fuel injection was reintroduced on the Series 5, on this occasion a Weber system rather than the earlier Bosch. Power output of the standard car was now quoted as 305bhp. Automatic was still the standard transmission offering, five-speed manual an option, and even when equipped with the former the V8 could reach 100mph in around 15 seconds and better 145mph flat-out.

The copy of its record card shows that this 'Series 5' V8 was supplied new via Aston Martin Sales Ltd to R J D'Aubigny, Esq of London NW6. The car was delivered finished in Warwick Blue with Magnolia leather upholstery and blue carpets edged in dark blue. Its accompanying service book records servicing by Aston Martin Works in 1988, '89 and '90, Ian Mason throughout the early 1990s, then Grange Aston Martin of Welwyn and finally Desmond Smail in 2001 (at 68,862 miles). There are also bills on file dating from 2005 from Bodylines for front end repairs and from Desmond Smail for various other works, which together total in excess of £26,000.

In February 2013, the car was purchased by the current owner via Chiltern Aston Martin following a 'snagging list' of works carried out plus a service in March '13 at 73,750 miles. The V8 returned to Chiltern Aston in 2013 and 2014 for further works and servicing, and since then has been looked after by Aston Service London, its most recent visit being in March 2015 for a new brake master cylinder and general repairs at a cost of £2,300. Accompanying paper work consists of the aforementioned service history and related invoices, AML warranty, a quantity of old tax discs and MoT certificates, V5C registration document and a current MoT. A sales brochure, owner's handbook and fuel injection supplement are included in the sale.