Description
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Sandown Park | Esher, Surrey
Viewing: Wed 9th December from 12pm
Auction Thursday, December 10th: From 12:00pm (Noon)
Location: Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 9AJ UK
Registration No: WLC 430
Chassis No: AM300/ 3/ 1789
MOT: Exempt
One of just 551 DB Mk. III examples manufactured
Supplied new via Aston Martin agents Brooklands Motors to the first owner, Arnhem Timber Co Ltd of Moorgate, London EC2
Specified from the factory in Snow Shadow Grey paintwork, with disc front brakes and optional overdrive unit
Previous engine overhaul in 2008, with work by marque specialists JMB Services
Benefitting from over £60, 000 worth of expenditure since 2013
The first Aston Martin to be driven by James Bond in an Ian Fleming novel, the DB MKIII was unveiled at the Geneva Salon in March 1957. Sporting a new radiator grille that echoed the styling of its illustrious DB3S racing sibling, the newcomer retained the same basic structure as its DB2 and DB2/ 4 predecessors. Thus, its aluminium bodywork clothed an advanced square-section tubular chassis frame equipped with independent front suspension (a sophisticated trailing link, coil-sprung set-up tempered by an anti-roll bar) and a coil-sprung ‘live’ rear axle (located via Panhard rod assisted radius arms). Redesigned by the brilliant Tadek Marek, its 2922cc DOHC straight-six cylinder engine gained a new block assembly, crankshaft, camshafts and manifolds. Reputed to develop some 162bhp and 180lbft of torque, it was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox as standard. Available in saloon or drophead coupe guises (plus a few bespoke notchback fixed head coupes) total DB MKIII production amounted to just 551 units. Initially an option, Girling front disc brakes were soon standardised across the range (from chassis 1401) – a wise decision given that Autocar found the model capable of 120 mph and 0-60 mph in 9. 3 seconds.
According to its accompanying copy factory build record, chassis AM300/ 3/ 1789 was specified from the factory with front disc brakes and overdrive. Initially finished in Snow Shadow Grey with Grey leather upholstery, the Aston Martin was supplied new via Brooklands of Bond Street to the Arnhem Timber Co Ltd of Moorgate, EC2. Issued with the London number plate ‘WLC 430’, the DB MKIII had its guarantee issued on May 1st 1959. Thereafter, Aston Martin Owners’ Club records show the 2+2-seater belonging to the likes of Malcolm Cramp Esq (better known for his fifty-four year custodianship of the DB4 GT Lightweight ‘SCM 971’), I. H. Darling Esq (who wrote a poem about ‘WLC 430’ during his two decade tenure) and Chris Drake Esq. Purchased from the latter by Monsieur D. Boisdequin during 1995, the DB MKIII spent the next eighteen years residing in Belgium. Maintained by the award-winning marque specialist Garage Natens during that time, the 2+2-seater had its engine thoroughly overhauled in 2008 (with much of the machining work including the unleaded cylinder head conversion subcontracted to marque engine specialists JMB Services), while the bodywork and paintwork are understood to have been restored during 2012. Both still present very well today.
Fettled by marque specialist Chris Shenton shortly after returning to the UK, ‘WLC 430’ was subsequently consigned to the 2016 Aston Martin Works auction where it sold for £191, 900. Further improved by Aston Motorsport Limited, the Chiltern Aston Centre, Fiennes, The Pitstop, Thornley Kelham and Rex J Woodgate, the DB MKIII has had more than £60, 000 spent on it over the past thirteen years including the fitment of a new steering box and aluminium fuel tank. The most recent invoice – issued by Mr Woodgate in January 2026 for £17, 242. 92 – runs to seven pages and details a thorough going over and de-bugging which encompassed the engine, exhaust, brakes, suspension, ignition system and wiring etc. Indeed, his ministrations even extended as far as the windscreen washer non-return valve and door locks.
Starting readily and running well during our recent photography session, this decidedly handsome, DB MKIII is worthy of close inspection. Offered for sale with a sizable history file, including the V5C Registration Document, copy build records, AMOC report, BMIHT Heritage Certificate, numerous bills and previous restoration photos.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
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