Introduced as the DBS V8 in 1969, eight-cylinder Aston Martins were rechristened simply “V8” upon the 1972 demise of the base six. Fortunately, what Aston lacked in imaginative model nomenclature, it more than made up for with engineering excellence and old-world craftsmanship. A prime example of this would be the V8 offered here: a thoroughly modern, all-aluminum design with quad camshafts, it was laboriously formed via the ancient method of sand casting. Bodywork, too, required countless hours of hand-forming and fitting, just like the sumptuous Connolly and burr walnut-lined cabin.

One of only 439 Series 1 V8 Volantes built, this US-specification, left-hand-drive example is not only remarkably elegant in Jubilee Silver with green upholstery and top, it also benefits from extensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration overseen by noted marque specialist Vantage Motors Inc. of Stamford, Connecticut. Owned by a New York-based Aston Martin enthusiast until its sale to the consignor, this V8 Volante presents beautifully, benefits from an extensive detailing, and displayed less than 45,000 miles at the time of cataloguing.

This distinguished GT’s fabulous Tadek Marek V-8 breathes through a quartet of twin-choke Weber carburetors, offering a superior soundtrack and relative ease of maintenance compared with later fuel-injected examples, while its automatic transmission is the ideal companion for its torque-rich power delivery and cultivated air of refinement.