1969 Aston Martin DBS Vantage

• Rare interim model
• Built in left-hand drive export specification
• Delivered new in Italy
• Recent professional restoration
• Registered in France
• Matching chassis and engine

Styled in-house by Bill Towns, the beautiful DBS was Aston Martin's first all-new model for many years and caused quite a stir on its arrival in 1967, 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."

Although always intended to house the new Tadek Marek-designed V8 engine, the DBS first appeared with the 4.0-litre 'six' of the concurrently produced DB6. This well proven engine was available in standard tune, producing 282bhp or, as a no cost option, to Vantage specification with triple Weber 45DCOE carburettors, special camshafts, and a higher compression ratio, in which form its maximum was raised to 325bhp.

Beneath its shapely exterior the DBS employed a platform-type chassis with independent suspension all round: wishbone and coil-spring at the front, De Dion with Watts linkage at the rear. Larger and more luxuriously appointed than the DB6, the DBS was, inevitably, heavier, though the Vantage version's top speed of 140mph and a standing quarter-mile time of 16.3 seconds were highly respectable figures nonetheless. Assessing the virtues of Aston's new flagship, Autocar judged it superior to the DB6 in many areas, the bigger DBS offering four full-sized seats in addition to transformed handling and roadholding courtesy of the new rear suspension and standardised power steering.

This DBS Vantage was built as a left-hand drive export model and delivered new in Italy where it was enjoyed by various Italian owners as listed in the copy of the car's libretto. No further information is available regarding its history prior to its purchase in 2007 by one of the previous owners.

The Aston was auctioned by Bonhams at its sale in Paris in June 2021 (Lot 236). At that time the car was described as in good overall condition: "It appears to be solid and would benefit from a mechanical overhaul before returning to the road due to a long period in storage." It was then restored at Classic Affairs. The bodywork was stripped back to bare metal and repainted in Olive Green Metallic. Considerable mechanical work was carried out including an engine overhaul, fuel tank removed for epoxy treatment, cooling system cleaned and other works. At the same time the interior was fully retrimmed in leather and the carpets replaced. Accompanying documentation consists of a French registration certificate, an FFVE certificate, an ACI certificate, a copy of the Italian carta di circolazione, invoices and photographs of the restoration.