1971 | Aston Martin DBS V8

Sold | £63,250 GBP

• Offered directly from the private collection of Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom
• Retains its matching-numbers 5.4-litre V-8 engine, rated by the factory for 320 brake horsepower
• One of only 402 DBS V8s made between 1969 and 1972; Aston Martin’s flagship model of its time
• At the time of its launch ranked the fastest production four-seater car in the world
• Accompanied by a copy of its factory build sheet and service record

First revealed in September 1969, the DBS V8 can trace its roots directly to the fabled DB model lineage that defined Aston Martin until the DB6 was phased out in 1970. Company bosses viewed the DBS as a direct replacement for the DB6, while production overlapped after the former was launched in 1967. Like the DB6, the earliest examples of the DBS were powered by a 4.0-litre inline-six engine, until the offering was revamped to make way for the DBS V8—the engine that Aston Martin had always intended for the model. The 5.4-litre V-8 was rated by the Newport Pagnell factory for 320 brake horsepower, making it the fastest production four-seat sports car in the world at its time of unveiling.

The example offered here is recorded to have been delivered to its first owner on 20 January 1971, having been first registered with the DVLA one week prior. The DBS V8 was configured in Platinum over a Black Connolly leather interior complemented by Black carpets and Grey headlining. It was specified with an automatic transmission, MPH speedometer by Smiths, and shod with Pirelli Radial tyres. Its first owner was one Mr R Hambleton of Cardiff, Wales. While its subsequent earlier history is not documented, it was subsequently acquired by a notable British musician, who instructed that the car was repainted in its original colours by Bedworth Classic Cars in 2012. From then, the Aston Martin entered the care of its consigning owner, Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom, from whom the DBS V8 is offered directly.

The sleek 1970s coupé retains its matching-numbers V-8 engine, as verified by a copy of the factory build sheet (available to view on file). In June 2025 the car was serviced and gained new spark plugs. As the fastest production four-seater car in the world at the time of its launch, the DBS V8 occupies a special place in Aston Martin’s history. This example more than lives up to the legend, and is all-the-more appealing when offered from the private collection of a legend of modern cinema.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/ch25/.