Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 107
1969 Aston Martin DBS Saloon Chassis no. DBS/5415/LAC Engine no. 400/4161/S
Sold for US$29,120 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 107
1969 Aston Martin DBS Saloon
1969 Aston Martin DBS Saloon
Chassis no. DBS/5415/LAC
Engine no. 400/4161/S
Chassis no. DBS/5415/LAC
Engine no. 400/4161/S
3,995 cc DOHC Inline Six-Cylinder Engine
Triple Stromberg Carburetors
280bhp at 4,500rpm
3-Speed Borg-Warner Automatic Transmission
Front Wishbones with Coil Springs, Rear De Dion Axle with Watts Link
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*The final Aston Martin model developed under David Brown's leadership
*One of just 829 six-cylinder DBS coupes produced
*Original US delivery, left drive example
*Optional automatic transmission
*Retains its numbers-matching engine
*Factory air conditioning, power steering and rare Webasto roof
*In current ownership since 2012
*Requires recommissioning
THE ASTON MARTIN DBS
Introduced in 1967, the new DBS succeeded the outgoing DB6, representing a fresh and modern new 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. While the styling marked a dramatic departure from the DB6, the underpinnings were heavily revised for the new car. While intended for Tadek Merak's all new quad-cam V8 engine, development was not completed in time, so the proven and capable twin-cam 4-liter inline-six returned. Engineers placed the engine 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 luxuriously appointed with the finest Connolly hides available in traditional Aston Martin fashion. James Bond approved as well, using a DBS as his ride 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 dynamic leadership tenure at Aston Martin.
THE CAR OFFERED
This DBS Saloon, chassis number 5415/LAC, is a left-drive, US-specification car that left Newport Pagnell in June of 1969. Production records reveal this car had a rather unusual specification, as it was finished in Fiesta Red over Blue hides, and equipped with power steering, automatic gearbox, Fiamm horns, air conditioning, Blaupunkt New Yorker radio, head rests, and an exceedingly rare Webasto sunroof. The original owner is not noted on the ledger, however subsequent entries in the Aston Martin Owner's Club roster show it was in the care of Mr. Stephen Adams of Columbia, South Carolina for many years. A copy of the previous title indicates Adams sold in the car in 2008, and in 2012, it was acquired by the consignor via Classicmobilia in Milton Keynes, UK.
Along the way, the body was repainted in white which perhaps better suits the blue interior. The car otherwise appears generally well preserved with largely original upholstery and interior fittings that show some imperfections. The twin overhead-cam inline-six is the factory original, numbers-matching unit, retaining the correct-type carburetion and appears largely unmolested. It represents an excellent opportunity for a collector to acquire a rare and stylish Aston Martin that is ready for its next custodian to make their mark.
Please note that this car has been in long-term dry storage on static display as part of a private collection. It has not been started while in Bonham's care and will require mechanical recommissioning.
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