Description
This truly outstanding, first class UK Home market matching numbers Aston Martin DBS has recently been stripped down to the bare shell ahead of a complete nut and bolt restoration. Recently completed with a just a handful miles since, the car has arrived with us in magnificent condition with a wonderful level of detail having been rebuilt with no expense spared. This very correct car was manufactured in 1971 and supplied new in Cornwall by A. J Beal Limited to a H. G Watson Esq in Wadesbridge. The DBS left the factory in Azzuro Blue with Dark Blue trim and the Aston Martin covered 8580 miles from May to September 1971. In around 1979 the Aston Martin was laid up in a Cornwall residential garage with 56163 miles and in 2021, with just two known previous owners, the Aston was sold to its recent York based owner.
An extensive photographic record has been kept since purchase in 2021 detailing the full restoration process. Photos show the Aston Martin in its long term home looking in a very poor state. With some air in the tyres, the DBS was winched onto a transporter to Yorkshire where it was assessed and completely stripped down to the bare shell. The condition was found to be better than expected, clearly only having use in its very early life with a very much unmolested interior supporting the recorded mileage of 56163. With every single component, ancillary, piece of trim and glass removed from the car, the bare body shell was transported for blasting ahead of a full body restoration. The bodyshell was found to be largely sound, floor pans and the underside particularly good although as expected various metal work was carried out ahead of paint preparation and the full bare shell re-paint in Azzuro Blue.
The original engine was stripped down, the cylinder head removed, pistons removed and then assessed. The engine as then re-assembled and rebuilt as required, the unit beautifully detailed and painted. The automatic gearbox was checked, re-sealed as required, as was the differential. Ancillaries were all re-furbished, and re-fitted to the car. The engine bay was built up to a beautiful show standard level and the car built with up with new brakes, re-furbished suspension and completely overhauled steering, electrical, cooling and fuel systems. Glass was re-fitted, a brand new rear screen purchased and the car built with all new seals, rubbers and gaskets. Various re-chroming was carried out, brand new stainless steel bumpers purchased and a brand new set of chrome wire wheels and Avon tyres were supplied by MWS at a cost of £3660. The very original interior was fitted with new wool carpets, and the leather upholstery very carefully treated and re-finished to retain patina and originality.
During 2023 after two years of work, UFJ 713J was completed and put back on the road after over 30 years hidden away. The condition is quite simply exquisite with a high quality paint finish on a superbly straight, excellent bodyshell. The brightwork, glass and engine bay are beautifully presented at a show standard level, the underside of the Aston Martin is equally as impressive with superbly presented floorpans and ancillaries. Suspension springs, brakes, bushes, pipework and exhaust look new, and the interior is superbly finished with a very authentic feel. On the road and from a mechanical perspective UFJ 713J does not disappoint. The car starts up immediately offering excellent oil pressure from the strong, fresh and very fit 6 cylinder 3995cc engine. Performance is impressive, gear changes beautifully smooth and the ride of the car outstanding. With rebuilt brakes, suspension and steering the DBS feels sharp, precise and tight on the road and is ready to be enjoyed on the roads for the first time in over three decades. This is a very special car, its incredibly correct and with limited use in its early life, this is a car that also carries a significant level of provenance. Still retaining its original tools and handbook, this car is a fantastic collectors piece and very few have had restorations to this extent, one reason being the cost of rebuild to this extent would outstrip the value of the car by a significant amount.
