The iconic 1970 Aston Martin DBS featured in the British television series “The Persuaders!” will be offered at the Bonhams Aston Martin Works Sale on May 17, 2014. Driven in the series by Roger Moore’s character Lord Brett Sinclair, the car features special modifications made specifically for its role in the “The Persuaders!”.
Since Aston Martin had just launched the DBS V8 model, it was chosen as the car for the show. However, full production of the new V8 version had not yet got into its stride and one was not available in time for the start of filming. The producers agreed to use a standard DBS six-cylinder engine, although the car was badged as a DBS V8.
Sporting a rare Bahama Yellow paint, the DBS featured factory modifications limited to V8 wheels and hubs, as well as V8 badging. The car always wore the personalized registration “BS 1” (for Brett Sinclair), with one exception. In the episode “The Gold Napoleon” the production team forgot to switch the plates, thereby revealing the car’s real-life registration number “PPP 6H”.
The Aston features the autographs of both of the show’s stars (Roger Moore in 2003 and Tony Curtis in 2008) inside the boot lid. The DBS had covered 5,000 miles (8,047 km) when the series ended after the 24th episode and was subsequently sold to its first private owner in 1971. The car has had five owners in total and has only changed hands via private sale without advertising or an auction.
The fourth owner commissioned a total restoration by Aston Martin, returning the car to the exact factory specification. The DBS retains all its main original components, including the leather interior. Bonhams expects the car to fetch anywhere between £350,000 and £550,000 (€420,550-€660,470).
By Dan Mihalascu
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