Description
An exceptionally rare and original DB MKIII Drophead in right hand drive.
1 of only 2 MKIII Dropheads with a DBB competition engine from new.
Chassis: #AM30031555
Engine number: #DBB/ 1128
A DB MKIII could be specified with three different engines from new: the DBA, DBD or the rare DBB. The latter was derived from Aston Martin’s racing experience with the DB3S and was one of 10 engines made for the 1959 24 hours of Le Mans; a race that Aston Martin won. Only two of these 192 bhp race-tuned “Le Mans” engines were fitted to Dropheads, and this car is one of them, with triple Weber carburettors, raised compression, wilder valve timing and special con rods and other components.
Chassis #AM300/ 3/ 1555 was delivered in May 1958 to Wilson G McConnell of Montreal, a car enthusiast and inventor of fuel systems. The Aston was to be part of his remarkable collection of cars that included a Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Bugatti, Mercedes 300L Gullwing and several others including a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 RHD in black and tan. After Wilson’s death in 1965 the car was given to his widow’s brother, W Herbert C Wallis of Milwaukee, before being sold to Blaine S Nashold of Raleigh NC.
Nashold was an area rep for the AMOC (Aston Martin Owners’ Club) and showed the car at numerous events in North Carolina, Connecticut and California. After briefly considering modifying the car for vintage racing, he decided that chassis #AM300/ 3/ 1555 was too special to race and preserved it in nearly original condition throughout his ownership. In 2005, he sold the car to a dealer in Boston where it was almost immediately sold back to the original owners, the Wallis family, who kept the car until 2012.
In 2012 the car had a full engine rebuild to the highest standards by Post Vintage (now known as Adrian Johnson), Aston Martin specialists. Trofeo Cars acquired chassis #AM300/ 3/ 1555 for a private client and collector in 2013 and thoroughly prepared the car by commissioning external detailing to the paintwork and full Connolly leather treatment by N Fulcher Coachtrimmers. Emphasis was placed on preserving both the paintwork and the interior of the car, which is still in its original colour scheme of black exterior and tan leather interior.
In 2016, Trofeo Cars sold the car to the current custodian who has completed further improvements, including a new convertible roof covering, and much regular maintenance to ensure the cars has been kept in fine fettle. After enjoying many trips in the car, including to Italy and the North Coast 500, time has come to pass this amazing Aston onto a new custodian.
Guide price: £495, 000 Subject to Contract
