David Brown shepherded Aston Martin into the 1970s with the launch of the Marek-designed V8 and the larger, more modern sporting coupé saloon designed to house it. Brown left the company debt-free in Mar ’72 but before long it was in the hands of receivers and the plant was closed from Dec ’74 to Sep ’75. New owners initially broadened the range, but it can be said that there were more ownership changes than model changes until the late 1980s.
Aston Martin DBS
The first of a new generation of Aston Martins with a large, more modern sporting coupé saloon design, by in-house designed Bill Towns. The Vantage performance upgrade was desirable.
Years
1967-72
Engine
3995cc S6 DOHC
Body Style
4-seater sports saloon
Production
829
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
New shape. Quad headlamps. Usually wire wheels.
Aston Martin DBS V8 (S1)
The new body finally paired with the V8 designed for it.
Years
1969-72
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater sports saloon
Production
402 (or 405)
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Larger air dam, wider tyres, alloy wheels
Aston Martin DBS V8 Ogle
Commissioned by tobacco firm H. O. Wills to promote their ‘Sotheby’ brand.
Years
1969-72
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater sports saloon
Production
3
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Aston Martin Vantage
Restyled, particularly at the front (overseen in development by David Brown). Unusually this Vantage was not the fastest version, but it did inherit the engine of the previous DBS Vantage.
Years
1972-73
Engine
3995cc S6 DOHC
Body Style
4-seater sports saloon
Production
70
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
The last Aston with wire wheels. DB6-style grille.
Photo: Andrew Bone, Wikipedia
Aston Martin V8 S2
The same restyle was applied to the V8. The car was initially badged the DBS V8. The car now had fuel injection.
Years
1972-73
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater sports saloon
Production
288
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Originally badged DBS V8. Fuel injection.
Aston Martin V8 S3
This was the car in production when the company went into receivership, but restarted under new orders with a healthy order book. Several tweaks to balance emissions and performance.
Years
1974-78
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater sports saloon
Production
967
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Weber carbs and taller bonnet scoop.
Aston Martin Lagonda S1
Stretched four-door V8 occasionally made alongside.
Years
1974-76
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater 4-door sports saloon
Production
7
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
.
Photo: Wikipedia
Aston Martin Lagonda S2 (& S3)
The sensational high-performance luxury car with quintessential wedge design by Bill Towns. Immediately gained hundreds of lucrative orders. Complicated and expensive electronics.
Years
1976-87
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater 4-door sports saloon
Production
? + 75
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
S3 from 1986 – styling unchanged
Aston Martin V8 Vantage S1
Acclaimed as Britain’s first supercar for its 170 mph (270 km/h) top speed, and 5.3 s 0-60 time. Extra power from new camshafts, higher compression, larger valves, bigger carburettors on new manifolds.
Years
1977-78
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater sports saloon
Production
16 + 23 S1b + 13 US cosmetics
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Blanked grille and bonnet scoop. Separate spoiler integrated from S1b (Dec ’77).
Aston Martin V8 S4, V8 Volante S1
Midlife update, accompanied by long-awaited convertible version.
Years
1978-86
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater convertible
Production
352 + 656
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Power bulge rather than bonnet scoop. US cars have bigger bumpers
Aston Martin V8 Vantage S2
The Vantage also received the ‘Oscar India’ update.
Years
1978-90
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater sports saloon
Production
304 + 14 US cosmetics
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Smoother bonnet line as V8 S4. Improved interior.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante
Convertible version.
Years
1978-90
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater sports saloon
Production
192 + 56 US cosmetics
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Except for Prince of Wales spec (c. 27 cars): deeper front spoiler, wider wheel arches, extended side skirts, rear spoiler.
Aston Martin Bulldog
Initially planned for small batch production, but this was deemed uneconomical.
Years
1979
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
Coupé
Production
1
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato
Chairman Victor Gauntlett had a stake in Zagato and Aston commissioned a modern take on the DB4GT Zagato. Carbs.
Years
1986-87
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
Coupé, convertible
Production
89
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
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Aston Martin V8 S5, V8 Volante S2
A return to fuel injection.
Years
1986-90
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater sports saloon, convertible
Production
405 + 216 (or 245)
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Smoothed bonnet line.
Aston Martin Lagonda S4
Restyling by Bill Towns.
Years
1987-90
Engine
5340cc V8 4OC
Body Style
4-seater 4-door sports saloon
Production
105
Power: Weight
.
Dimensions
.
Triple headlamps, no swage line, rounder and more slab-sided. Rounder rear-end with single row of lights.