9th Jun, 2010 14:45

The Pavilion Gardens

 
  Lot 39
 

1958 Aston Martin DB MK III Saloon

Sold for £95,625

(including buyers premium)


Lot details
Registration No: KFO 227
Chassis No: AM300/3/1533
Mot Expiry: T.B.A.

Though a prototype of the DB2 competed in the 1949 Le Mans 24 Hour race, it was not until the following April that the fully productionised version of Aston Martin's new sports car made its debut at the New York motor show.

The elegant two-seater was a major step forward from the 2-Litre Sports model it replaced. The newcomer was based on a modified version of the square tube chassis originally designed by Claude Hill for the one and only Atom prototype. It was clothed in a flowing all-alloy body penned by Frank Feeley and powered by the 2.6-litre straight-six Lagonda engine conceived by W.O. Bentley and Willie Watson. Yes, this was a car with pedigree, something that was emphatically confirmed a few months later with a first and second in class finish at Le Mans. The die was cast.

Production of the DB2 continued until 1953 when it was replaced by the DB2/4. A logical progression, the DB2/4 featured a pair of occasional rear seats and an eminently practical hatchback tail. Other notable changes included a wraparound windscreen, larger bumpers and repositioned headlights. By the middle of the following year the engine had grown in capacity to 2.9-litres, increasing the power output to 140bhp and pushing the top speed up to 120mph.

It was in 1954 that David Brown acquired the Tickford Coachbuilding Works at Newport Pagnell, and it was there rather than Feltham the MKII versions of the DB2/4 were made from 1955. The revised model featured small tailfins, bubble-type tail lights and added chrome. There was the option of a large-valve, high compression engine of 165bhp output and two different body styles - a 2+2 Hatchback and two-seat Drophead Coupe.

The final iteration of the DB2/4 was launched at the Geneva Motor Show of 1957. Somewhat confusingly christened the DB Mark III, it featured disc front brakes (from the first 100 cars onward) and Alfin drums on the rear, a hydraulic clutch, plus the options of overdrive for the standard manual gearbox and automatic transmission. The obvious visual differences were the adoption of a DB3S-style radiator grille and sensuously sculptured bonnet. The rear lights were changed once more and the rear quarter lights made to open. Inside, an all-new instrument panel greeted the driver.

The engine, which had been heavily reworked by Tadek Marek, featured a new crankshaft, a stiffer crankcase and induction modifications inspired by the racing unit of the DB3S. The power of the standard version was now up to 162bhp, while those equipped with the optional dual exhaust system were claimed to produce 178bhp - enough to sprint the Aston to 60mph in around 9.3 seconds. There was now the choice of three body styles - 2+2 Hatchback, Drophead Coupe and Fixed Head Coupe; though the latter only accounted for five of the 551 Mark IIIs built between 1957 and 1959.

By the time Goldfinger reached the silver screen, 007 was behind the wheel of a gadget-equipped DB5, but in the Ian Fleming novel from which the film was derived, he piloted a gadget-modified DB Mark III - erroneously referred to as a DB III throughout the book.

Aston Martin DB Mark III Chassis Number AM300/3/1533 was delivered new to Raymond Emmott Esq. of London on May 2nd 1958. The coachwork was Peony in colour and the interior trimmed in black Connolly hide. Two non-standard items appear on the build sheet - an overdrive unit for the four-speed manual gearbox and a 36-inch silencer. The car's expansive history file reveals that VGX 8 required some rectification work even within weeks of delivery. That included: a new petrol pump (May); new oil control rings, valve guide rubbers and a replacement axle (July); a new gearbox (August).

It was while in the care of a C. Farrow Esq. in the early '80s that the Aston's body colour was changed to dark green and the interior retrimmed in red. According to a letter on file, he covered some 12,000 trouble free miles in the car, carrying out whatever servicing was required himself. In 1989 the Aston passed into the hands of Jonathan Falkner Esq., who appears to have maintained it pretty much regardless of cost, courtesy of Garage Lamy in France and Aston Service Dorset. It also received the attention of renowned marque specialist Ian Moss on a couple of occasions. While in Mr Falkner's ownership the Aston was entered for the 1991 Louis Vuitton Concours.

By April of 1996 it had acquired the registration number KFO 227 (which it still retains) and is said to have been exported to Monaco where, as part of a private collection, it apparently sat in an underground car park for a full decade, covering no more than 500 miles. It was recommissioned in the spring of 2006 and purchased by the current owner in June of that year, since when it has been the subject of repeated expenditure.

In 2006 it underwent a very extensive refurbishment of the suspension, brakes, steering and fuel system. The following year the engine was thoroughly overhauled and fitted with an Alperform alloy cylinder head, new exhaust manifold and twin-pipe, stainless steel exhaust system. The overdrive unit was refurbished, the front and rear windscreens replaced, new seat belts, wheels and tyres fitted and the bodywork once more resprayed. Last year, the rear dampers were replaced and the clock refurbished. The vendor regards the bodywork, paintwork, electrical equipment, interior trim and four-speed manual plus overdrive gearbox as being "good", while he rates the engine as "excellent". He plans for the Aston to have a new MOT and a year's tax by the time of the sale.

KFO 227's history file appears to confirm the current mileage of 94,600 as genuine - a pleasingly low figure for a 52 year old car. Moreover it is clear that this delightful DB Mark III has received much love and attention throughout its life to date and is therefore a very fine example of this increasingly sought-after model from the David Brown era of Aston Martin.
 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 9th Jun, 2010

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