Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 137
1969 Aston Martin DBS Sports Saloon Chassis no. DBS/5414/LAC Engine no. 400/2281 (see text)
Sold for US$81,200 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 137
1969 Aston Martin DBS Sports Saloon
1969 Aston Martin DBS Sports Saloon
Chassis no. DBS/5414/LAC
Engine no. 400/2281 (see text)
Chassis no. DBS/5414/LAC
Engine no. 400/2281 (see text)
3,996cc DOHC Inline Six
Triple SU Carburetors
282bhp at 5,500rpm
5-speed ZF Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*Handsomely optioned from new
*Original left-hand drive, 5-speed ZF manual
*Fresh from over a decade of static display
*Accompanied by copies of Aston Martin build records
THE ASTON MARTIN DBS
Introduced in 1967, the new DBS was the successor to the DB6 – it represented a new, very modern look for Aston Martin. Styled in-house by William 'Bill' Towns, the beautiful DBS caused quite a stir, Autocar magazine observing that: "Without the aid of an Italian stylist the Newport Pagnell team came up with something as modern, handsome and Italianate as anything from the Turin coachbuilders at that time."
The DBS was wider and had a lower profile than its predecessor, giving a more aggressive look and offering more cabin space. The engine was placed further back in the chassis, behind the front axle, resulting in an almost 50/50 weight ratio. Using a de Dion rear axle, the DBS exhibited excellent handling characteristics.
The interior was as usual luxuriously appointed with the finest Connolly hides available in best Aston Martin fashion. James Bond approved as well, using a DBS as his motorcar of choice in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and again in the next Bond film Diamonds are Forever where a DBS sits in Q's famous workshop getting prepared for action. A superb expression of automotive design, the Aston Martin DBS has become an icon of the marque, and also marks the last model produced under Sir David Brown's leadership at Aston Martin.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This DBS was ordered new for the American market and richly optioned with air conditioning, power steering, rear lap belts, dual head rests, Bosch New Yorker radio, Fiam horns, and—most importantly—a ZF 5-speed manual. Finished in Pale Primrose over Red Connolly hides, the car was completed in the spring of '69.
The interim history of this DBS is yet unknown, but it spent the earlier part of its life in the US. It appears to have made its way to Germany by the mid-1990s with a Fahrzeugbrief on file indicating an initial registration of December of 1994. Acquired by the seller a dozen years ago, it has been on static display since purchase and will require recommissioning prior to active use.
Close inspection of the car shows the interior to be relatively original, but at some point it was obviously repainted in the current shade of silver it wears today. Additionally, the engine currently fitted in the car shares its number with that listed on the build sheet for s/n DB5/2266/L.
Accompanied by copies of its Aston Martin build records, it is offered today as the perfect basis for restoration or refurbishment.
Triple SU Carburetors
282bhp at 5,500rpm
5-speed ZF Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*Handsomely optioned from new
*Original left-hand drive, 5-speed ZF manual
*Fresh from over a decade of static display
*Accompanied by copies of Aston Martin build records
THE ASTON MARTIN DBS
Introduced in 1967, the new DBS was the successor to the DB6 – it represented a new, very modern look for Aston Martin. Styled in-house by William 'Bill' Towns, the beautiful DBS caused quite a stir, Autocar magazine observing that: "Without the aid of an Italian stylist the Newport Pagnell team came up with something as modern, handsome and Italianate as anything from the Turin coachbuilders at that time."
The DBS was wider and had a lower profile than its predecessor, giving a more aggressive look and offering more cabin space. The engine was placed further back in the chassis, behind the front axle, resulting in an almost 50/50 weight ratio. Using a de Dion rear axle, the DBS exhibited excellent handling characteristics.
The interior was as usual luxuriously appointed with the finest Connolly hides available in best Aston Martin fashion. James Bond approved as well, using a DBS as his motorcar of choice in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and again in the next Bond film Diamonds are Forever where a DBS sits in Q's famous workshop getting prepared for action. A superb expression of automotive design, the Aston Martin DBS has become an icon of the marque, and also marks the last model produced under Sir David Brown's leadership at Aston Martin.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This DBS was ordered new for the American market and richly optioned with air conditioning, power steering, rear lap belts, dual head rests, Bosch New Yorker radio, Fiam horns, and—most importantly—a ZF 5-speed manual. Finished in Pale Primrose over Red Connolly hides, the car was completed in the spring of '69.
The interim history of this DBS is yet unknown, but it spent the earlier part of its life in the US. It appears to have made its way to Germany by the mid-1990s with a Fahrzeugbrief on file indicating an initial registration of December of 1994. Acquired by the seller a dozen years ago, it has been on static display since purchase and will require recommissioning prior to active use.
Close inspection of the car shows the interior to be relatively original, but at some point it was obviously repainted in the current shade of silver it wears today. Additionally, the engine currently fitted in the car shares its number with that listed on the build sheet for s/n DB5/2266/L.
Accompanied by copies of its Aston Martin build records, it is offered today as the perfect basis for restoration or refurbishment.
Saleroom notices
We have been informed by the current owner of the DB5 s/n 2266/L that the engine in his car bears the same engine number, 400/2281, as that in the offered DBS.
Additional information
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