Beskrivning
This car is Lot 144 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at The Goodwood Auction on Saturday September 13th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Friday September 12 from 09:00 until 17:00, Saturday September 13 from 09:00 at The Goodwood Revival.
Lot 144
1969 Aston Martin DBS Vantage 4. 2-Litre Sports Saloon
Registration no. ANK 220G
Chassis no. DBS/ 5305/ R
Manual transmission (see text)
Present ownership since 2009
Extensively upgraded
Professional full restoration 2010-2012
Bills available
Although always intended to house the new Tadek Marek-designed V8 engine, the Aston Martin DBS first appeared with the 4. 0-litre 'six' of the concurrently produced DB6. Styled in-house by Bill Towns, the beautiful DBS caused quite a stir, Autocar magazine observing: "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."
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 heavier DBS disappointed some by virtue of its slightly reduced performance, but 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.
The accompanying copy guarantee form shows that '5305/ R' was originally finished in Aegean Blue with fawn Connolly hide interior, and that the car left the Newport Pagnell factory equipped with Borg Warner automatic transmission, power assisted steering, Waso steering lock, Radiomobile radio and Marchal fog and spot lamps. Mr A Shanks of Shanks & McEwan, Corby, Northamptonshire is listed as an additional owner (the original owner is not recorded). Service notes dated 5th October 1970 mention 'oil leaks from ZF gearbox', although there is no mention of when the original auto 'box was replaced.
Purchased by the current owner at Bonhams' auction at Aston Martin Works Service in May 2009, this beautiful DBS Vantage had been in the vendor's hands for the preceding 10 years having had two previous owners. Dry-stored for seven years, the car had been recommissioned with three new Weber carburettors, a new fuel pump, new spark plugs and ignition leads, and a new brake servo.
Recommissioned since acquisition, the Aston has benefited from extensive refurbishment and upgrading carried out by marque specialists Pugsley & Lewis. These include enlarging the engine to 4. 2 litres capacity; fitting the five-speed manual gearbox from a V8 model; installing a Harvey Bailey handling kit; fitting Koni shock absorbers, a new alloy radiator and a new wiring loom; and overhauling the fuel system. To top it off, the Vantage was completely rebuilt and repainted between 2010 and 2012. Related bills on file total £242, 566. Described by the vendor as in excellent condition throughout, the car is offered with a battery conditioner, tailored car cover, photographic record of the restoration, current MoT and a V5C Registration Certificate.
The early, six-cylinder DBS is a relatively rare car - only 790 were made (plus 70 AM Vantages) compared with 1, 567 DB6 saloons - and even more so in this condition. Closest to its makers' original conception, it possesses a purity of line lacking in the burlier V8 model and is under-appreciated and undervalued today, representing exceptional value for money.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
