Steve Coogan to sell his Aston Martin DBS V8

Actor and comedian Steve Coogan is to sell his Aston Martin DBS V8 at auction. The car, SKX 11J, was the original factory press car and was tested by Motor magazine in 1971, clocking an average speed of 160mph on the then unfinished M4.

Designed by William Towns, the Aston Martin DBS arrived in 1967 as a four-seater to replace the DB6. This particular car was the original factory press car used to launch the new V8 model.

It left Aston Martin in 1973 and little was known of its whereabouts until it was discovered in a field in Scotland, badly in need of restoration. This was duly carried out by specialists Chapman and Spooner.

Multi-award nominee and classic car collector, Steve Coogan, acquired the car in 2011. It has been maintained by marque specialists Aston Engineering and Stratton Motor Company, with several invoices detailing the attention lavished on the car.

Said to be in superb condition, it is finished in Dark Blue with black leather seats and a manual gearbox. It retains the Becker-Mexico radio but with the addition of iPod connectivity.

The car will go under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions’ sale on 26-28 July.  It is expected to fetch between £145,000 to £165,000.

Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions commented, ‘We are delighted to have been asked by Steve Coogan to sell this magnificent and historically important car which is in outstanding and concours condition. He is obviously famous for his acting and comedy but is also a distinguished car collector and has really looked after this DBS V8.’

‘For us as a business, it is very reassuring that people of his standing feel confident in coming to us directly to help them sell their cars and we are very proud to present this DBS V8 which is an unrepeatable opportunity.’