Six Aston Martin auction bargains you could pick up this weekend

For many the ultimate classic Aston is the much-storied DB4 GT Zagato “2 VEV” which will be sold by Bonhams at the Festival of Speed auction at Goodwood on 13 July. Its multi-million pound price will likely make it the most expensive British car ever sold at a European auction.

But you do not have to spend anywhere near that much to bag a great Aston Martin. And a good time to go shopping is fast approaching with Bonhams Aston Martin-only sale at Englefield House, Reading, on 2 June. Apart from a world of Aston memorabilia and parts, there’s a wealth of cars up for grabs.

MkIIIs, DB2s and DB2/4s through DB4s, 5s, 6s and 7s, plus a sprinkling of newer models, are all included. Most of all though there are the early DBSs and subsequent V8s: 16 muscular copes and convertibles from the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Prices? Estimates go as high as almost a million for a pristine DB6 Volante or DB5 but there are plenty more at a fraction of that. Here’s our top six bargain buys…

1991 ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE

£35-38,000

“Virage” may not hold the most cachet among Aston’s back catalogue, but make no mistake this is a real Aston. Then-chief  Victor Gauntlett’s vision of Aston Martin’s future, the 1988-95 Virage represented a big break with previous Astons in lots of ways, but the  hand-beaten aluminium body, fine leather upholstery and 32-valve V8 with 330bhp (on unleaded fuel) were all present and correct. This one’s an auto, finished in Buckinghamshire Green with Parchment leather interior, and has had the same owner for the past 10 years.

1997 ASTON MARTIN DB7 VOLANTE

£32-36,000

Everyone knows the DB7 – first DB since 1970, Ford money, Jaguar help, beautiful design by Ian Callum, and the saviour model of Aston Martin. What everyone may not know is what good buys they can make. This automatic convertible, in Highland Purple with cream leather, has covered 53,000 miles from new, the last 9000 of them with the same owner who bought the car at the Bonhams Aston sale 12 years ago. It still looks great and thanks to the 3.2-litre 335bhp supercharged straight six can probably still hit 160mph.

1976 ASTON MARTIN V8 SERIES 3

£40-60,000

You can pay a great deal more than this for an AM V8 these days, reflecting its status as muscular  icon of British 1970s cool. Part of this automatic’s affordability lies in the fact that it has been off the road for the past 20 years. The good news is that it runs and drives, so recommissioning may not be too involved. The 300bhp V8 had a full engine rebuild in 1992 about 20,000 miles ago. In its day, even the auto was good for 0-100mph in around 15 seconds.

1951 DB2 SPORTS SALOON PROJECT

£40-60,000

Yep, it’s a barn-find. An early “washboard” model, this DB2 has been off the road since 1968 after just two years’ use by the current owner who is now selling it. As you can see from the picture,  it is in need of total restoration. That will be expensive but DB2 saloons can sell for £250,000… be warned, though, this one has no chassis plate or engine number, and there are no documents with the car. Feeling brave?

1983 LAGONDA SALOON

£35-45,000

Aston has big plans to restore Lagonda to its former greatness, which is sure to have a knock-on effect on old Lagondas – and none of them is more headline-grabbing than the Williams Towns-designed, razor-edged wedge of luxury, power and dodgy electrics known as the Lagonda Saloon. One of 645 made, this automatic Windsor Red and magnolia leather example has covered 110,000 miles, so maybe it’s not as unreliable as reputation suggests. And what a stunning way to arrive…

2003 ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH

£60-70,000

We’ve saved the biggest Aston bang-for-your buck for last, and the magnificent Vanquish. Again, Ford money and Ian Callum design  brilliance made this beast possible, along with innovations like a monocoque tub of bonded aluminium with a carbon-fibre backbone, a drive-by-wire throttle and electro-hydraulic six-speed paddle gearchange. And under the bonnet? What else but  Aston’s first V12, the awesome 6.0-litre, 48-valve unit with 460bhp for 190mph and 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. Downsides? This is a left-drive car (it was delivered new to a US movie producer). Upsides? Full main agent service history, just 20,000 miles from new and a 2017 clean bill of health from Nicholas Mee & Co. Buy it for the looks and exhaust note alone…