COMING TO AUCTION
FROM
COYS AUCTIONEERS
BLENHEIM PALACE, WOODSTOCK, OXFORD, OX20 1PX
****RESTORATION PROJECT CAR****
1958 ASTON MARTIN DB Mk III
Coachwork by TICKFORD
One Owner for Three Decades
Estimate: £40,000 - £50,000
Registration Number: KJX 711
Chassis Number: AM300/3/1821
Although it never featured in a James Bond film, production having ceased years before the franchise commenced, the DB MkIII nevertheless was the Aston Martin driven by '007' in Ian Fleming's Goldfinger. It was also the last Aston Martin produced with the W O Bentley-designed six-cylinder engine. Two years after the introduction of the DB2/4 MkII came the DB MkIII – the '2/4' suffix being dropped – 551 of which, mainly saloons, were made between March 1957 and July 1959, 55 percent of which were exported.
Externally the most obvious change was the adoption of a DB3S-style grille, establishing the 'hallmark' look of subsequent Aston Martins, which had been drawn up by Tickford designer Bert Thickpenny. This restyled nose gives the car a more imposing look, while the interior boasted a redesigned dashboard with instruments grouped in a cowled panel ahead of the driver.
The 3.0-litre engine benefited from an extensive redesign by Tadek Marek (newly arrived from Austin) and featured, among other improvements, a stiffer block, stronger crankshaft and a new cylinder head with bigger valves. 162bhp was available with the single-pipe exhaust system; 178bhp with the optional twin-pipe version.
Elsewhere there were improvements to both clutch and gearbox: Laycock overdrive became available and front disc brakes were standard rather than optional after the first 100 cars had been built, commencing at chassis no. 1401.
Despite the inevitable weight increase, the MkIII was faster than any of its predecessors, with a top speed of 120mph.
Registered new on 28th April 1959 and finished in red with cream interior, the wonderful Aston Martin DB Mk III on offer today has recently been discovered in Derbyshire by Coys specialists.
Purchased by the vendor in 1984, the car was used on an everyday basis. Due to work commitments, it was then put into long term storage and has not moved since its recent discovery. We are informed that the engine and gearbox performed beautifully before the car went into long term storage.
For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact our sales department.
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