Top seven incredible Aston Martins to be sold at Silverstone

By Greg MacLeman

| 8 May 2017

A dazzling array of classic and modern sports cars are set to cross the block at Silverstone Auctions’ 13 May sale, with seven iconic Aston Martins poised to draw fans of the Newport Pagnell brand from the length and breadth of the country. We’ve chosen our top seven Aston Martins from the upcoming auction, ranging from the future classic and bargain basement DB9 through to a stunning and stately DB2/4 dating from more than half a century earlier.

7. 2005 Aston Martin DB9 Coupé

It may be one of the most modern cars in the lineup, but Ian Callum’s beautifully styled DB9 is a sure-fire future classic that is bound to increase in value – especially wearing a bargain estimate of just £27,000-32,000. For that, potential buyers get a high-tech aluminium chassis and a 48-valve, 5.9-litre V12 capable of propelling the car to 60mph in just 4.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 189mph. True supercar performance and cutting edge looks for the price of a new BMW saloon: this will be a tempting proposition.

6. 2006 Aston Martin DB9

A year younger than the other DB9 in the sale, this car also boasts fewer miles: 17,500 compared to 46,000. It’s first owner covered just 6000 miles in the car between 2006 and 2014, with the rest of the mileage accumulated during gentle touring to the vendor’s Italian holiday home. A quick look at the service history shows a recent £4000 service, which included new discs, pads and tyres.

5. 1972 Aston Martin DBS V8

Just £20,000 more could be enough to bag a beautiful 1972 DBS V8, one of just 405 right-hand-drive UK examples. The 5.3-litre Tadek Marek V8-powered coupe offers performance to rival it’s younger stablemates, with 320bhp on tap and a staggering top speed of 160mph. This example was the subject of an earlier restoration, which included new front wings, suspension and chassis work, and has recently been recommissioned following a 23-year layup. There’s more work to be done, but it’s a great project for someone.

4. 1979 Aston Martin V8 Volante

You’ll need considerably more than £70,000 to consider this 1979 V8 Volante (£155,000-175,000), but it will be money well spent. The rare Tourmaline Blue example was thoroughly looked over by Aston specialist Runnymede in 2010, and restored to an exacting standard. Work was carried out to the boot floor, sills and floor pan, while the notoriously fickle servo-assisted brakes were fully rebuilt.

Around the same time, a six-speed gearbox from a DB7 was mated to the 5.3-litre V8 thanks to the Aston Workshop of Durham. The history file now lists nearly £50,000-worth of service and maintenance bills from a host of Aston Martin main dealers and respected specialists.

3. 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4

Autocar described the DB2/4 in 1953 as ‘an expensive car designed to cater for the connoisseur of sports cars who is not limited by financial considerations’, and the same rings true of the model in the current market. At £165,000-185,000 it’s far from cheap, but it’s also one of the most attractive cars in the sale and, thanks to a number of recent modifications, will go as well as it looks.

Following its complete restoration in 2009, Century Classics has carried out a number of improvements with the aim of entering the car in the 2018 Mille Miglia Storica. The work included fitting an overhauled cylinder head with all-new valves, an uprated steering box and a full brake overhaul, not to mention new wheel bearings, gearbox bearings and oil seals, plus a new clutch and stronger DB4-style wheels.

2. 1967 Aston Martin DB6

The number two spot in our list belongs to a stunning DB6 first owned by the wife of Polish fighter ace Charles Dugan-Chapman, and later sold to its second owner in 1975. Shortly after the car experienced a persistent engine problem that resulted in Aston Martin fitting a replacement in 1976/77, and it covered just 1000 miles until it was sold to the vendor in 1993. Bought as a long-term restoration, the work was finally completed last year. It benefitted from a full bare-metal respray, though the tatty original interior bears testament to the owner’s commitment to originality and history. It is estimated at £265,000-295,000.

1. 1971 Aston Martin DB6 MkII Vantage