Lot details
Registration No: JRA615H
Chassis No: DBS/5436/RAC
Mot Expiry: Aug 2017

Introduced at the October 1967 Motor Show, the DBS broke important new ground for Aston Martin. Although similar to that of the concurrent DB6, its steel platform chassis used a longer wheelbase, repositioned front crossmember and wider track to arrive at perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Further enhanced by the adoption of de Dion rear suspension located via a Watt linkage and with standardised power steering, the newcomer was widely praised for its polished ride and handling. Styled in-house by William Towns, with clear transatlantic and Italianate overtones, the aluminium-bodied four-seater exuded a road presence that few rivals caught in its quad headlights could match. Although intended to be the first V8-powered Aston, a series of teething troubles with the new powerplant meant that the DBS went into production with the proven Tadek Marek-designed 3995cc DOHC straight-six. Credited with developing 282bhp and 288lbft (or 325bhp and 290lbft in Vantage tune wearing three Webers), this legendary powerplant was allied to either five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. Reputedly capable of over 140mph, the DBS was phased out in 1972 by which time just 787 are thought to have been made.

A star of the small screen, chassis DBS/5436/RAC famously had an entire episode of Channel 4's popular TV series 'For the Love of Cars' dedicated to it. Overseen by Ant Anstead and his team at Evanta Motors, the restoration was completed within an almost impossibly tight timeframe. Stripped of its mismatched red and white paint, 'JRA 615H' underwent various chassis and bodywork repairs on a jig before being resprayed in Aston Martin Olive Green Metallic (the same hue sported by James Bond's DBS in the film 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service). Re-trimmed in contrasting Ox Blood Red leather upholstery, the interior also gained a refurbished dashboard, refinished wood rim steering wheel and new carpets. Entrusted to renowned marque specialist RS Williams, the original DOHC straight-six engine was enlarged to 4.2 litres and uprated to Vantage specification with triple Weber carburettors. To make better use of the increased power and torque on tap, the decision was made to convert the Aston Martin from automatic to Tremec T5 manual transmission. Other enhancements included the fitment of new MWS 15-inch wire wheels shod with Pirelli Cinturato tyres, Koni rear shock absorbers and higher performance brake pads.

Like many of us who watched the programme, the vendor took quite a shine to the reborn 'JRA 615H' and paid some £173,400 to acquire it in January 2015. Although the DBS looked stunning, he felt that a marque specialist with proven experience of the model could improve it still further and so instructed Oselli to work their magic. Some £78,000 later, the Aston Martin has been debugged and fine-tuned to the seller's satisfaction! Now every bit as good as it looks, this famous Aston Martin is offered for sale with UK V5C Registration Document, MOT certificate valid until August 2017 and history file.