1958 Aston Martin DB MkIII

2,922 cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Twin SU Carburetors
178bhp at 5,500rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Independent with Live Rear Axle Suspension
Front Disk and Rear Drum Hydraulically Assisted Brakes

*The 9th DB MkIII built
*Retains the original, matching numbers engine
*One of only 551 DB MkIIIs made
*Delivered new to California

THE ASTON MARTIN DB MKIII

Although it never featured in a James Bond film, having ceased production years before the franchise commenced, the DB MkIII nevertheless was the Aston Martin driven by '007' in Ian Fleming's novel, 'Goldfinger'. It was also the last Aston Martin produced with the six-cylinder engine designed under the supervision of the great W O Bentley.

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% 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-liter engine had 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 '1401'. Despite the inevitable weight increase, the MkIII was faster than any of its predecessors with a top speed of 120mph.

If that still was not enough, customers could opt for a more powerful DBB and (later) DBD 'Special Series' engine. Introduced as an option at the 1958 London Motor Show, the DBD came with triple (sometimes twin) SU carburetors and produced 180bhp or 195 with the twin exhausts. This engine was fitted to 47 cars.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This lovely DB MkIII was ordered new in California through Peter Satori Co. Limited—the Southern California Rolls-Royce and Aston Dealer. Only the 8th MkIII built, it was finished on February 2, 1957 in Oarmine Silver Grey over black leather and was optioned with the twin exhaust system for a bit of extra oomph, Firestone Superspeed tires, an instruction manual, and a heater (but no defroster tubes). The original owner is not recorded, but entries in the Aston Martin Owner's Club registry indicate the car was with G.I. Nicholson in 1960 and registered in California with the plate 'NYG 111'. It is noted that the car participated in the 1960 Santa Clara Autocross with it who we believe to be Mr. and Mrs. R Hardy of Los Altos California at the wheel and placed 3rd and subsequently the 1960 Spook Rally again with Hardy at the wheel and likely G.W. Butcher of San Mateo, California co-driving where they placed 6th. By 1963 the Aston had moved down to southern California with K. Woods of La Puente, east of Los Angeles. By 1970 it had moved further east to Cleveland, Ohio where it would remain for the next 38 years.

During its time in Ohio, the car was repainted in Silver Birch lacquer while the headliner was said to have been retrimmed in red flock back in California. Mechanically, the engine was said to have been rebuilt in the early '70s. Registered for road use through the mid-70s, it was described as complete but a little tired from its long-term storage and older cosmetic and mechanical work when the present owner acquired the car in 2008. Since acquisition, the Aston has received some restoration work, a respray in burgundy red while the interior has been retrimmed in red leather, including a leather wrapped dash, steering column, and steering wheel.

Not actively used in the present ownership, it is ready for some light recommission work before active use. An exceedingly rare interim model that straddled between the DB2/4 and DB4, and made rarer still by the fact it was an original left-hand drive export model from new, this MkIII is sure to provide ample enjoyment on any number of events, tours, or weekend drives.