1980 Aston Martin V8 Oscar India – Vantage Volante Conversion
£99,995
Specifications
Mileage tbc
Fuel Type Petrol
Transmission Manual
Year 1980
Body Convertible
Engine Size 5.3 litres
Colour Metallic Blue
My In-depth Video Walkaround
More About This Car
This is a particularly unusual Aston Martin with a fascinating history.
First registered on 21st April 1980, this Aston Martin V8 began life as an Oscar India Saloon before undergoing an extensive transformation during the late 1980s to Vantage Volante specification.
The history file accompanying the car records that, during an approximately 18-month period, the Aston was completely stripped down, the chassis modified and the car rebuilt using original Aston Martin components as a Vantage Volante. It was subsequently supplied by renowned Aston Martin specialists Chapman Spooner in March 1989.
Importantly, we are describing the conversion on the basis of the contemporary documentation supplied with the car rather than attempting to present the car as a factory-built Vantage Volante. The history file itself records that, following the work, the car was considered to be indistinguishable from an original Vantage Volante.
Finished in metallic blue with a blue leather interior featuring dark blue piping, the Aston has enormous presence. The wide Vantage-style bodywork, deep front air dam, rear spoiler and imposing stance completely transform the appearance of the original Oscar India, while the manual gearbox adds considerably to its appeal.
The car is accompanied by an extensive history file containing a substantial collection of invoices, correspondence, MOT certificates and other documentation accumulated over many years, including invoices relating to an engine rebuild. We are continuing to catalogue the file and will add further detail to the car's history as this work progresses.
This is not, however, being presented as a freshly restored or concours example.
The Aston has seen very little use in recent years and has been stored for approximately six years. There is corrosion and deterioration to various areas of the bodywork and it would benefit from cosmetic and restoration work. We have deliberately photographed the car in detail so that prospective buyers can get a realistic impression of its present condition.
After such a lengthy period of inactivity, we have also advised that the car should be properly recommissioned before being put back into regular use. This includes removing the old fuel, replacing fluids and carrying out the appropriate mechanical checks and fettling before the car is driven. This has been booked to be carried out by an Aston Martin specialist.
We briefly heard the engine running when we first inspected the Aston, but asked for it to be switched off rather than continuing to run it on fuel that had been sitting in the car for several years. We therefore prefer not to make claims about its current mechanical condition until the recommissioning process has been completed.
And that really sums up our approach to this car.
There would be little difficulty in writing an advert full of superlatives about such a rare and striking Aston Martin, but we would rather allow its history, documentation and photographs to speak for themselves.
What we have here is a 1980 Aston Martin V8 Oscar India with a documented late-1980s transformation to Vantage Volante specification, a manual gearbox, striking period appearance and an extensive history file.
It now requires somebody prepared to take the car through its next chapter.
For the right enthusiast, we believe that makes this Aston considerably more interesting than a car whose story has already been completely written.
The Aston Martin is offered at £99,995.
Further photographs, video and information are available on request. We would also be very happy to talk prospective buyers through the car, its history and its present condition in detail.