1980 Aston Martin

1980 Aston Martin V8 Volante Series 4 RHD

Full restoration by the Aston Workshop in the UK

Upgraded to 5.7L

6-speed manual

Aston Martin’s “V8” line of grand tourers is one of the longest-lasting nameplates in the marque’s repertoire, manufactured in numerous variations from 1969 to 1989. The first iteration existed from 1969 to 1972 as the “DBS V8” to set it apart from the six-cylinder DBS. That engine was dropped starting with the 1972 model year, and the model was consequently simply known as the Aston Martin V8.

The Series 4 was introduced in October 1978 with a few cosmetic changes to set it apart from the previous Series 2 and 3. Known as the “Oscar India” specification, or “October Introduction” in the phonetic alphabet, it featured a hood bulge in place of the former scoop, an integrated spoiler, and wood trim throughout the interior for a more luxurious feel. The 5.3 L V8’s power dropped to 245 hp in US-market cars, and larger bumpers were added to meet safety standards. The engine could be paired to either a Chrysler “Torqueflite” three-speed automatic transmission or a ZF 5-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission. The tested 0-60 mph time of around 5.2 seconds made the Series 4 V8 one of the fastest-accelerating cars of its era.

The convertible version, known as the “Volante,” was introduced in June of 1978 and overtook the coupé in terms of popularity by 1981. Only 352 “Oscar India” models were built from 1978 through 1985, while only 192 were Volantes.

Over the years, the V8 series Aston Martins have enjoyed strong and steady popularity amongst collectors and enthusiasts alike. Their elegant but muscular appearance combined with the glorious sounding V8 engine provides ample thrills for the eyes and ears alike. Many of these V8s fall prey to being “rough around the edges,” with numerous expensive problems lurking beneath the beautiful exterior. Because of this, it is very important to find a properly cared-for or well-restored example. Pricing trends continue to remain strong for later models as well as limited or special production versions such as the Volante, X-Pack cars, and Prince of Wales Editions.