AMV8 1972 - Sleeping for 16 years in my garage

[steveb100]

[V8V Pete]

Why?

[gts.981]

FOR GODS SAKE - why?

[Phil74891]

Let’s see her then! These cars are really coming into their own right now. There’s a lot of interest out there. I recently jumped in and bought a ‘72 AM Vantage.

[av185]

Pics without cover please.

[EVR]

At least is was covered. But what are your plans now?

[steveb100]

Ran it for 11 years then wife died, 3 young children to drag up a MUCH more important priority so it sat in my garage.

[steveb100]

[steveb100]

[steveb100]

[steveb100]

[steveb100]

Dont know what I'll do with it. It'll probably sleep on for next 25 years until I'm carted out of my house in a box.

[CAPP0]

Fabulous-looking thing!

Sorry that you had your life turned upside down like that. Hope you can find your way towards getting it running again and enjoy it.

[mat205125]

steveb100 said:

Dont know what I'll do with it. It'll probably sleep on for next 25 years until I'm carted out of my house in a box.

I was gonna jump on the "why" bandwagon until I saw your tragic reason for its hibernation.

Any of your kids got a car interest to have it as a project to restore?

Is it a sentimental comfort blanket just knowing it's there, and not necessarily something you've a big interest in using?

Apologies if any of the above is too personal

[Manners79]

What an awful tragedy to have to go through and no material thing matters by comparison.

But, that is one AWESOME looking machine, what a colour too!

[Getragdogleg]

That is utterly fantastic, the story behind it is sad but you went with the priorities and you did the right thing.

Don't feel guilty about leaving it so long, life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.

[steveb100]

I had wanted an Aston V8 since boyhood so at least fulfilled that ambition. Had 11 years of fairly frequent driving so it was good while it lasted. Had a BMW 3.0CSI immediately before it which was a great car. Might have some photos of that somewhere.

Perhaps one of my chilren will want it one day, not to sell but to return to the road, assuming of course that petrol has not been outlawed by then.

Just thought other Aston enthusiasts would like to see what a near 50 year old AMV8 looks like.

[av185]

Looks great in red. Must be a rare colour.

So sorry to hear of your loss.

[phumy]

You could always sell it to me..

[Dewi 2]

16 years, that is nothing Steve.

I stored a Singer Chamois for about 30 years. Did not really want the car, but I had transferred a number plate to it, which steadily became more valuable than the car, not that I wanted to sell the registration. With an un-roadworthy car, registration marks cannot be transferred, so I was stuck.

A couple of years ago, the car went to a specialist to be recommissioned. Not too much was wrong with it, although a corroded main bearing required a replacement crankshaft, but it is now in good working order once again. Those cars have very free revving Coventry Climax engines. Throttle blipping is fun with such instant response both revs up and down . Can almost play a tune.

It did teach me a few practical lessons about storing cars.
After first putting in store, amongst a few 'housekeeping' measuress, it is essential to drive about 20 miles every few months, to keep everything working.
Usually the first thing to become a problem, is stuck hydraulics. Once that happens, a movable car then becomes a problem.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. Once recommissioned, at least there will have been no depreciation, so that might be one joy for you.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Wednesday 23 December 13:37