Footnotes

Chassis number '12280' is an example of the much improved Series 4 Aston Martin V8. Introduced in October 1978 and built from then until 1986, these cars are generally known by the factory's 'Oscar India' sobriquet, standing for 'October Introduction'. In January 1977 the factory had introduced a series of engine modifications known as the 'Stage 1' tune, its presence indicated by the suffix 'S' applied to both chassis and engine numbers, and this enhanced specification was standard on the 'Oscar India' cars.

First registered on 9th September 1981 and sold new to one B M Russ-Turner of Kingsford, West Sussex, '12280' is finished in its original colour scheme of Burnham Green with green-piped tan leather interior. Fully restored by marque specialists in 2006, the car has covered some 30,000 miles since then, the current odometer reading being circa 140,000. This 'bare metal' restoration involved replacing the inner and outer sills, radius arm mountings, jacking points and floor panels, after which was body was Waxoyled and under-sealed.

Numerous upgrades have been incorporated, including a TF2 performance kit for the reconditioned automatic transmission; Koni dampers all round; lightweight high-power starter motor; up-rated brakes with stainless hoses; stainless steel exhaust and manifolds; K&N air filters and cold-air induction; and split-rim alloy wheels. Other noteworthy features include a leather-trimmed sports steering wheel; electric windows and mirrors; and up-rated and re-gassed air conditioning.

Parts were supplied by Puddleduck, R S Williams, and Car Care of Kensington (see photographs and bills on file).

The current vendor purchased this much upgraded Aston Martin V8 in July 2007, its previous keeper being Dr Richard Percy of London W2, who had owned it from 2003 and commissioned the aforementioned restoration and improvement programme. R S Williams had been a keeper in 1986, and from 1987 to circa 1997 the car was owned by Mr J McKay Fraser of Richmond, Surrey. Marque specialists R S Williams and Ian Mason maintained the Aston during Mr McKay Fraser's ownership.

The current owner had the car maintained by Nicholas Mee from 2007 to 2009, since when it has been looked after by Trinity Engineering, with annual expenditure averaging around £4,000. A new steering rack was fitted in 2012 and all service/maintenance bills will be found in the two history files together with most MoTs from the 1990s onwards. Currently MoT'd, the car also comes with an old-style logbook and V5C registration document.