New colour for 1974 V8
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Subject to it passing inspection, I shall soon be the very proud owner of a 1974 Aston Martin V8 - my first Aston (having previously owned a V8 MGB, a TVR Tuscan and a Lotus Elise).
The car is Jubilee Silver (pale greenish blueish silver), and I plan to have it resprayed. It was originally Cricket White, so I have no problem with changing the colour as it has already been changed once from the original.
Can any suggest a good Aston-esque shade of mid/dark silver?
Thanks!
Sally
Subject to it passing inspection, I shall soon be the very proud owner of a 1974 Aston Martin V8 - my first Aston (having previously owned a V8 MGB, a TVR Tuscan and a Lotus Elise).
The car is Jubilee Silver (pale greenish blueish silver), and I plan to have it resprayed. It was originally Cricket White, so I have no problem with changing the colour as it has already been changed once from the original.
Can any suggest a good Aston-esque shade of mid/dark silver?
Thanks!
Sally
Bodo said:
Why respray it? IMHO Jubilee Silver looks lovely 
Or is the Aston in need of a respray?
If only it looked as silver as that photo in real life. It's actually much more pale jade green - it's pretty, but very wishy washy. I would prefer gunmetal - anyone know of a good shade?
how rude of me not to tell you! 
Haven't got the written report yet, but the chap phoned me and in some detail explained that it's a cracker in every respect - great chassis, great engine, great transmission, great handling, lovely to drive, etc. So yep - I'm officially buying it. Probably gonna pick it up next week.
Haven't got the written report yet, but the chap phoned me and in some detail explained that it's a cracker in every respect - great chassis, great engine, great transmission, great handling, lovely to drive, etc. So yep - I'm officially buying it. Probably gonna pick it up next week.
Here is the report, for any one who is interested
---
Vehicle Inspection Report
Make: Aston Martin
Model: V8 Manual
Chassis no: V8 /11244 /RCA
Engine no: V /540 /1244
Exterior colour: Jubilee Silver Metallic
Interior colour: Black
Reg. no: RPK 161M
Recorded mileage: 68941
Date of inspection: 15 September 2003
Exterior, Paint Condition & Panel fit
Generally very straight and level bodywork finished in recently painted Jubilee silver Metallic paint, panel gaps throughout are good and look uniform.
There are small paint chips / imperfections to the top edge of both doors were the door glass meets the doors. The RH front bumper mounting tube is missing its rubber trim were it passes through the front wing and the rubber trim to the remaining bumper tubes has paint over spray on them.
Chrome & Glass
Interior, Trim & Boot
The chrome work throughout is generally in a good serviceable and presentable condition with the exception of the front bumper which has several dings along its length and the LH mounting bolt is corroded.
The glass throughout is in a good unmarked condition with no elaminination of the front or rear screen.
The black leather interior is in a very good original condition with a nice patina although the lid of the central arm rest / storage box is creased and wrinkled.
The matching black carpeting is generally in a good condition and benefits from having a heat resisting under felt throughout. There is a small amount of scuffing to the driver's side foot well carpet and to the RH kick panel.
The headlining is clean, taught and unmarked but the sun visors are crumbling internally and are stiff in their action the vanity mirror to the passenger sun visor is in poor condition and looks unsightly.
The dashboard is clean and unmarked and all the instrumentation is present and working, all the door aperture seals / finishers are secure and in a good serviceable condition. All of the interior fixtures and fittings are present and in a good serviceable condition.
The RH door speaker grill was missing at the time of the inspection.
The boot condition is good with clean and secure carpeting throughout and there is a hydraulic jack and "spider" type wheel brace supplied. The stainless steel finisher to the boot aperture is in an untidy but secure condition and the boot lid springs are a little weak. At the time of the inspection I was advised that the boot lock would be renewed.
Under-bonnet & Engine Condition
An overall presentable and tidy under bonnet condition with no residual oil or water problems, all the coolant hoses, drive belts and various piping is in a good serviceable condition.
The exposed areas of the compartment have been treated with under body "Schuts" and the bay would benefit at some time from having these areas cleaned down and tidied up to compliment the overall look.
Chassis & Structure
A generally all round structurally sound chassis with no evident immediate problems. That said the entire under body area would benefit from a clean down to remove any residual flaking old sealant and minor surface corrosion then apply a good quality body protection product such as "Wax oil" to maintain the structures longevity.
I was advised at the time of the inspection that the outer sill finishers had been removed when the vehicle was recently painted and that the condition of the sills was good but I would suggest removal of the trims and have the sills cleaned up and treated internally and externally with protection.
The wheel arch alloy closing panels and the seals would benefit from renewal in the near future to stop the ingress of road grime and to enhance the vehicles well maintained look.
Drive- line
All components to the driveline are in a good serviceable condition with no evident free play or excessive oil leaks, although as with vehicles of this age there are minor oil leaks from the gearbox and rear axle.
Complimenting the driveline is a good quality stainless steel exhaust system that is both secure on its mountings and gas tight.
To maintain this condition the driveline components should be serviced and inspected as per the Manufacturers recommended service intervals.
Brakes
The braking system throughout the vehicle is in a very good serviceable condition, there are recent new hand brake pads and all metal and flexible piping is in good condition.
There is a small amount of surface corrosion to the rear brake discs but I suspect this is due to lack of use. The handbrake mechanism to the rear callipers would benefit from lubrication and a protective layer of copper slip grease to prevent the ingress of road grime to the self-adjusting mechanism.
Steering Mechanism & Suspension
Overall, a very good serviceable steering and suspension system with no serious fluid leaks from the power steering nor any excessive free play in the steering rack, The suspension system benefits from a "HBE" handling kit, ie: uprated roll bar Konie shock absorbers all round with up prated coil springs all the various bushing to the suspension is in a very good serviceable condition
Wheels & Tyres
Recently refurbished factory alloy wheels all round shod with BF Goodrich Comp TA 255 x 60 R15 tyres on all four corners.
Tread Depths
O/S/F= 4.8 mm. O/S/R= 4.8mm.
N/S/R= 3.5 mm. N/S/F= 3.5 mm.
Spare= Avon 235 x 15 tread depth= 4mm.
Vehicle Electrics, Lights & Instruments
The electrical system throughout is in a very good serviceable condition with the exception of the central electric clock and the door central locking system, which were inoperative at the time of the inspection.
The instruments all work well and appear to be reading true.
Road Test
Once warmed through the engine accelerated with buckets of torque and no hesitations throughout the rev range in all five gears, The handling through the curves and in a straight line was surefooted, precise and taught inspiring confidence at speed. Summarily the brakes performed well with no judder or fade and again inspired confidence at any speed complimenting the handling.
There was no audible untoward transmission noise from the gearbox and rear axle both on the throttle and on the overrun.
The gearbox was precise with no synchromesh problems going up or coming down the gears. Both the speedometer and the Tachometer were stable and true.
Typically the oil pressure was,
80 to 90 PSI @ 3000 rpm @ 85 deg C water temperature and 45 deg C oil temperature.
I noticed that the clutch footrest was missing and would recommend replacement for a more comfortable long distance experience.
So overall, a very good driving example of the marque and with a bit of detailing and continuous servicing should give many years of driving pleasure.
---
Looking forward to the 300 mile drive home from Newcastle next week.
>> Edited by girlracer on Wednesday 17th September 00:27
---
Vehicle Inspection Report
Make: Aston Martin
Model: V8 Manual
Chassis no: V8 /11244 /RCA
Engine no: V /540 /1244
Exterior colour: Jubilee Silver Metallic
Interior colour: Black
Reg. no: RPK 161M
Recorded mileage: 68941
Date of inspection: 15 September 2003
Exterior, Paint Condition & Panel fit
Generally very straight and level bodywork finished in recently painted Jubilee silver Metallic paint, panel gaps throughout are good and look uniform.
There are small paint chips / imperfections to the top edge of both doors were the door glass meets the doors. The RH front bumper mounting tube is missing its rubber trim were it passes through the front wing and the rubber trim to the remaining bumper tubes has paint over spray on them.
Chrome & Glass
Interior, Trim & Boot
The chrome work throughout is generally in a good serviceable and presentable condition with the exception of the front bumper which has several dings along its length and the LH mounting bolt is corroded.
The glass throughout is in a good unmarked condition with no elaminination of the front or rear screen.
The black leather interior is in a very good original condition with a nice patina although the lid of the central arm rest / storage box is creased and wrinkled.
The matching black carpeting is generally in a good condition and benefits from having a heat resisting under felt throughout. There is a small amount of scuffing to the driver's side foot well carpet and to the RH kick panel.
The headlining is clean, taught and unmarked but the sun visors are crumbling internally and are stiff in their action the vanity mirror to the passenger sun visor is in poor condition and looks unsightly.
The dashboard is clean and unmarked and all the instrumentation is present and working, all the door aperture seals / finishers are secure and in a good serviceable condition. All of the interior fixtures and fittings are present and in a good serviceable condition.
The RH door speaker grill was missing at the time of the inspection.
The boot condition is good with clean and secure carpeting throughout and there is a hydraulic jack and "spider" type wheel brace supplied. The stainless steel finisher to the boot aperture is in an untidy but secure condition and the boot lid springs are a little weak. At the time of the inspection I was advised that the boot lock would be renewed.
Under-bonnet & Engine Condition
An overall presentable and tidy under bonnet condition with no residual oil or water problems, all the coolant hoses, drive belts and various piping is in a good serviceable condition.
The exposed areas of the compartment have been treated with under body "Schuts" and the bay would benefit at some time from having these areas cleaned down and tidied up to compliment the overall look.
Chassis & Structure
A generally all round structurally sound chassis with no evident immediate problems. That said the entire under body area would benefit from a clean down to remove any residual flaking old sealant and minor surface corrosion then apply a good quality body protection product such as "Wax oil" to maintain the structures longevity.
I was advised at the time of the inspection that the outer sill finishers had been removed when the vehicle was recently painted and that the condition of the sills was good but I would suggest removal of the trims and have the sills cleaned up and treated internally and externally with protection.
The wheel arch alloy closing panels and the seals would benefit from renewal in the near future to stop the ingress of road grime and to enhance the vehicles well maintained look.
Drive- line
All components to the driveline are in a good serviceable condition with no evident free play or excessive oil leaks, although as with vehicles of this age there are minor oil leaks from the gearbox and rear axle.
Complimenting the driveline is a good quality stainless steel exhaust system that is both secure on its mountings and gas tight.
To maintain this condition the driveline components should be serviced and inspected as per the Manufacturers recommended service intervals.
Brakes
The braking system throughout the vehicle is in a very good serviceable condition, there are recent new hand brake pads and all metal and flexible piping is in good condition.
There is a small amount of surface corrosion to the rear brake discs but I suspect this is due to lack of use. The handbrake mechanism to the rear callipers would benefit from lubrication and a protective layer of copper slip grease to prevent the ingress of road grime to the self-adjusting mechanism.
Steering Mechanism & Suspension
Overall, a very good serviceable steering and suspension system with no serious fluid leaks from the power steering nor any excessive free play in the steering rack, The suspension system benefits from a "HBE" handling kit, ie: uprated roll bar Konie shock absorbers all round with up prated coil springs all the various bushing to the suspension is in a very good serviceable condition
Wheels & Tyres
Recently refurbished factory alloy wheels all round shod with BF Goodrich Comp TA 255 x 60 R15 tyres on all four corners.
Tread Depths
O/S/F= 4.8 mm. O/S/R= 4.8mm.
N/S/R= 3.5 mm. N/S/F= 3.5 mm.
Spare= Avon 235 x 15 tread depth= 4mm.
Vehicle Electrics, Lights & Instruments
The electrical system throughout is in a very good serviceable condition with the exception of the central electric clock and the door central locking system, which were inoperative at the time of the inspection.
The instruments all work well and appear to be reading true.
Road Test
Once warmed through the engine accelerated with buckets of torque and no hesitations throughout the rev range in all five gears, The handling through the curves and in a straight line was surefooted, precise and taught inspiring confidence at speed. Summarily the brakes performed well with no judder or fade and again inspired confidence at any speed complimenting the handling.
There was no audible untoward transmission noise from the gearbox and rear axle both on the throttle and on the overrun.
The gearbox was precise with no synchromesh problems going up or coming down the gears. Both the speedometer and the Tachometer were stable and true.
Typically the oil pressure was,
80 to 90 PSI @ 3000 rpm @ 85 deg C water temperature and 45 deg C oil temperature.
I noticed that the clutch footrest was missing and would recommend replacement for a more comfortable long distance experience.
So overall, a very good driving example of the marque and with a bit of detailing and continuous servicing should give many years of driving pleasure.
---
Looking forward to the 300 mile drive home from Newcastle next week.
>> Edited by girlracer on Wednesday 17th September 00:27
williamp said:
One thing I would say: why didnt he remove the stainless steel sill plates and look underneath???
Yes, I wondered that too! I'm buying from a dealer, and they seem to only go for cars with massive history files, cars that could/should be used daily.
You can see my car here:
www.gmes.co.uk/GMES_Aston_Martin_V8_Manual.htm
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