A NEW LIFE FOR AN ASTON MARTIN V8 EFI - A refurbishment case study by Nicholas Mee & Company
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 มิ.ย. 2024
- Having sold these cars new, the 1970s and ’80s V8 Saloon has a special place in Nick’s heart. In a good year, the factory might have found buyers for 250 - a tiny figure today, but it was an incredibly expensive, handbuilt gentleman’s express.
As fine-driving, usable classic Aston Martins they make a lot of sense and we have sold many of them over the years. The later cars are over 35 years old now, so even though the model rarely needs a body-off, engine-out total restoration, some can do with a degree of recommissioning or what we prefer to call ‘refurbishment’ to freshen them up for the future.
One is the subject of this video, an automatic 1986 V8 Efi Saloon. On inspection by the team led by Peter Rugman, Workshop Supervisor at NM&Co, it was found to be a good car, in basically good mechanical condition but let down by poor bodywork.
Peter explains on camera how the workshop team went about to correct this and what was needed to bring this lovely Royal Cherry V8 Efi, interestingly the first example of this model built and the only one to have been finished in this colour, up to scratch. After a glass-out respray and all undersides stripped and repainted in period-correct black underbody guard, it looks fantastic. The original BBS wheels were sent away to a specialist for refinishing, and, with a new set of Avon tyres, the car was finished.
The V8 Saloon was a classic ’poster car’ from the 1980s. It’s still a beautiful one today and, by repainting and refurbishing this one, the first-ever Efi now has a new life 37 years after it was first delivered. Now that’s what we call sustainability. - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
My favourite era of "classic" Aston Martin. What a gorgeous example she now is, thanks to your wonderful recommissioning. A great video, thank you.
Thank you!
These older cars should all be kept on the road ... precious :) Love this V8 version ❤
Thank you!
What a pleasant and peaceful episode that was. Thank you Nicholas.
Who doesn't like an Aston V8 from that period.
I'd still wanna swap the transmission for a stick tho ;)
Thank you, we are pleased you enjoyed it.
Love the V8, beautiful car. Good memories of visiting the Anglesea Arms and enjoying the sound and sight of an Aston coming out of the workshop at closing time from your former premises 😍
Thank you. We do miss the Anglesea. Although, there is a superb gastropub in the local village so not all is lost. Sadly our phones don't work there, as they used to at the Anglesea, from Brackenbury Garage. Too convenient...
Being a major Aston Martin fan, especially from the 1950s through to the 1980s "s I find this video an absolute dream. My absolute dream would be is to own the original DBS that was around in the 60s and 70s.
Thank you! We are pleased that you enjoyed it!
Royal Cherry is a wonderful color and looks great on the V8.
To own a car like this would be a dream come true for most people
What an absolutely gorgeous car and you have certainly given it a thorough refresh.
A beauty
Great job Nick and team!❤
I remember seeing one of these on the showroom floor in Greenwich CT next to a Lagonda sedan. Absolutely beautiful.
Thank you!
Brilliant video and really interesting to hear from specialists who worked on the project.
One day... Years ago I bought a '76 V8 Saloon from Nick when he was at Sloan St. One of the best cars I have ever owned. I wish I still had it today. One day I hope to repeat the exercise.
I could watch this all day.....
congratulations and thank you so much for keeping this alive in 2023
What a great video. Your craftsmen are amazing and so well spoken.
Thank you!
Back in the 80s my friend next door neighbor had an friend that would often pop around in one of these beautiful astons,was even the same colour as this one😊
Mr.Mee, fantastic video, took me less than a second to decide to subscribe, please favour us with more of these delights.
Thank you and thank you for subscribing!
Fell in love with these as a kid....will never be able to afford but man....what a sexy looking car. Lines are just killer, makes you wanting to keep looking at it. Pure class!
Thank you!
absolutely fascinating. So much thanks to you Nicholas. You have Aston in your blood and it shows.
please do more. Love the way you calmly talk and your knowledge is beyond compare.
think there is room for a stand-alone channel with YOU talking about Astons. reckon you get so much traction. and please do involve Gauntlett Jnr - he was great on another of your videos.
Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated. More videos coming soon!
Quite one of the very best films I have ever seen on TH-cam. So informative, down to earth, sensible, logical, presented by folks at the top of the game. Thank you NM and the team, I would dearly love to do business with you one day. Soon! 😊
Wow, thank you!
I love how this vehicle wasn't just given a "replace everything and restore everything better than new" job.
great job a sympathetic restoration
Thank you.
Wouldn’t it be more entertaining and exciting if you showed the video of the process from beginning to end? That’s what keeps me glued and subscribing.
I did enjoy the video, thanks gents.
Our pleasure!
Wonderful car and loved that you took time to share the care she had.
Our pleasure!
Absolutely stunning! The V8 is my favourite Aston Martin😍😍😍
Good choice!
Thank you for Restoring a master piece. 👍
Thank you! It was a very satisfying project! Another one saved!
Lovely job. I'd love a V8
Thank you! Good to hear, dont be a stranger!
Really enjoyed it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Like the moulded front wing servicing covers, they almost caught me out when seeing the tools on them.
An excellent video and a very impressive facility. Well done!
Thank you and thank you for watching!
that is amazing. a very masculine car, almost brutal. super. that color combo is fabulous
Thank you! The V8's certainly do wear 'Royal Cherry' very well!
This is a thorough and professional approach to a cherished Heritage Aston Martin.
I first me Mr. Mee at the Bonham's Auction at NP in 2008, as I was visiting to gather restoration info for a DBS that I had just purchased. He took the time to give a bookworthy helping of advice. If I ever return to England, I plan to visit them with photos of my restored DBS.
Cheers
Thank you! You are most welcome to visit at anytime!
Iron fist in a velvet glove
Beautifully shot piece albeit so easy to raise or pan the reflecting lamp so it didn’t hit his glasses.
Really enjoyed the video. Thanks for a great effort in both the restoration and the video presentation.
Many thanks!
Would be interesting to know some figures regarding this project , what a colour and what a car ..
Great work and a pleasure to watch .
Thank you!
I enjoyed the video very much. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it
All this time, I thought your voice was a professional voice-over, man!!
😉
Makes me wonder what the difference is in cost between a process that is this extensive and an actual restoration. Seems like the distinction is a fine line.
Very classy
Thank you! 😊
Gorgeous. What did you do to protect the fresh paintwork while doing the later mechanical work?
Thank you! We have bespoke covers for the wings of the car to provide protection whilst working in the engine bay. The car is generally then worked on on a ramp. We also cover the car whilst it is being worked on and are generally VERY careful!
Was hoping this was a gated manual.
Was the chrome grille a factory option on some cars ?
It wasnt an option. It was 'special order' only.
is there much difference in terms of ride handling experience compared to the v8 vantage? thanks
The 16" wheels and greater tyre choice do provide the Vantage with a more direct driving style. Not light and day different but certainly noticeable.
the most important question, what was the total cost of refurbishment ?
What’s your guess? £75k?!
Nardi steering wheel and Ronal alloys for me!
Both were debated with the client but it was felt maintaining the original specification was the right approach. The BBS wheels, now nicely refurbished, maintaining the polished rim, do look great.
I think the BBS wheels do look splendid and going for the original speck is a worthwhile option. I forgot to mention that I still have am array of cassette tapes so a new unit would not be of any use!@@nicholasmeeco
12 months!
i will keep buying my lotto tickets
is this a documentry😔
This car is incredible. xx