There are some cars you simply don’t associate with being a project. Due to collectability, scarcity, value, or all of the above, the vehicle just seems like it could never be treated as someone’s cheaply modified project. This 1976 Aston Martin V8 Mark III does seem like it spent many years just being a cheap driver with some details you wouldn’t typically associate in a model like this. The Series III does run, but it will need some TLC. Find it here on eBay for $69,500 or best offer.
Some people consider this Aston Martin to be Britain’s version of the Mustang, a bruit in a suit, as it were. And you can see why: Aston clearly heaped on the muscular attitude and didn’t shy away from the obvious performance nods, like the dual exhaust, front and rear spoilers, and burbling V8 powerplant. And while this era of heavy-handed emissions equipment and other restrictions put a damper on every make and model, the Aston did quite alright for itself, still generating a healthy 310 b.h.p. at the start of the Series III run, which was good for a 0-60 run of under 6 seconds.
However, the good times didn’t last. By the time this ’76 model rolled into showrooms, power was reduced to 288 b.h.p., which was still plenty respectable. One detail I find fascinating about the Series III cars is that they left the factory with fuel injection, but after experiencing some teething issues with the new setup, Aston reverted back to Weber carburetors in ’73, which certainly added to the model’s chutzpah. The engine bay is tidy enough in this car, and the selling dealer confirms it is mechanically sound.
There seems to be a lot of turquoise in this Aston, and I can’t believe the conservative folks in the design studio would allow the car to leave the factory looking like this. I could be wrong; it was the 70s, after all. However, I can see in the top photo that even the driving lamp surrounds in the center grill have been painted to match, which seems like something a local body shop would do. The seller reports that that this Aston could do with some modest refreshment to make it a turnkey driver, and these remain collectible enough that the investment would likely be worth it. Still – does $70K seem fair for an automatic car in driver-quality condition?
Like these cars…. but OH! … that color! 🤢
I was kind of an Aston fan because of James Bond. But I started reading the specs on a DB4 and instantly became a big fan of everything Aston Martin. Besides, they always fit my definition of cool looking! Some day when I hit the lottery I will have one. (I play about once a year) And I was in the top 4 or 5 in the Publishers Clearing house contest one year where they told us thar someone in our vicinity was going to win and to be home in case they came knocking on the door. But instead of camera crews in our front yard. We got a messaging service with a check for $1,000 for second or third place. So maybe I have used up my good luck probability quotient for my life
What kind of car is that?
Martin, Aston Martin.
At a glance, this Aston Martin sure looks like it wanted to be a Mustang!
That’s because it did. In the 70s, Ford of England was very helpful and handful to Aston Martin. Ford eventually acquired AM, I believe in 1987. Ian Callum then designed all the DBs and eventually the 2015 Mustang.
The storytelling goes: Ford couldn’t produce muscle cars in the USA in the 70-80s, so they helped AM just to keep the design and performance guys sharp, kinda like practice.
At least that’s what I’ve been told by a family member that was involved with the RS2002 English race program. It’s one of his great drinking story’s from a great old Irishmen.
I thought the same thing when I saw the photo. Looks like somebody was playing around with A I.
Oh Lord.. another Gullwing listing.. get that PPI long before you even look at it. That said, there was a turquoise one – same model and year – in a shop near me last year. Makes me wonder if it’s the same car. Out in the sun, it is/was gorgeous. I wouldn’t mind owning one if the upkeep didn’t bankrupt me…
i know. Handing Kumar 70K just feels – wrong.
But, hey, the guy has been in business for a long time, so something is going very right.
I am undecided if i like that color, and the interior carpet. But with empty pockets i will move on.
Beautiful car. Way out of my league and price range. But…. An Aston Martin coupe with an automatic? Yuk!!!! Big turn off for me!!!
Oooof, that ain’t the right color for an Aston. And that interior! Looks more like a 70’s bathroom and commode then the cockpit of a sports car.
The King of England owns an Aston which I think was given to him for his 21st birthday.
“will need some TLC”… which car from Gullwing doesn’t need TLC?
$6950 maybe. I can’t unsee it, but I’ll keep trying-