Highlights

High end £100,000 restoration completed in 2018
4.2-litre engine upgrade with Cosworth pistons
Vantage-spec triple Weber carburettors
Recent Full bare-metal respray in silver
Comprehensive interior retrim with period-correct details
Currently part of a high-end collection
One of only 802 DBS cars built
Private registration 5 MDG not included in sale and now on retention - current reg GKX49

The Appeal

The DBS introduced the fastback Aston martin styling that has endured to the modern day. Styled by William Towns with a firm nod to the Mustang and made famous by George Lazenby in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, just 802 were built. After a long time being overlooked, these early six cylinders, with their styling purity and sweet Tadek Marek straight six engines, are being increasingly valued by collectors.

This beautifully presented gunmetal grey metallic car spent its life in dry Australia before being repatriated in 2018. In the same year, it was extensively restored for £100,000, including full respray and interior retrim. The engine has been rebuilt by specialist Rikki Cann, including extensive upgrades such as an increase to 4.2L capacity and fitting Vantage-spec triple Webers. The car sports a Tremec 5spd gearbox. A Bond-referencing registration - GKX49 - is included.

The vendor acquired the car in 2022 to join his collection. It has been sparingly used but correctly maintained since and presents extremely well in the photos.

The early DBS is where Aston Martin’s modern design philosophy began. They are the purist evocation of Towns’ design and the straight six harks back to the iconic DB5 and 6. With its high quality restoration and many upgrades by marque specialists, this example is one of the best we’ve seen in a while.

The vendor says:

“Car runs perfectly - has been stored with a collection at a garage and constantly attended to.”

The History and Paperwork

(n.b. the paperwork photos you see below represent just a small fraction of the huge amount of documentation in the file)

British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate
Current V5 (n.b. cherished registration will not be included in the sale)
Recent MOT
Repro of original build card
Original brochures, books and literature
Comprehensive history of the car’s life in Australia
2021 – invoice for clutch cover and plate, carb overhaul and new plugs - £1,131
2020 – invoice for new retro radio and speakers, track rod ends, engine mount, service, etc - £1,000
2016 – invoice for engine and gearbox upgrade - £20,400
2016 – invoices for engine stripdown and rebuild - £8,964 & £5,080
2016 – invoice for Weber inlet manifolds and linkages - £2,416
Many other invoices on file
Private registration 5 MDG not included in sale and now on retention

The Condition

Extensively restored and resprayed in 2018 in gunmetal silver metallic
Interior presents in very good order with well-trimmed seats
Period-style radio with iPhone connectivity and Aston Martin illumination
Well-maintained headlining and carpets throughout
Dashboard appears free from cracks or marks
All switchgear and gauges reported to be in proper working order
Elegant Moto-Lita steering wheel fitted
Boot houses matching spare wire wheel with correct cover and jack in its bag
Bodywork completed with full bare-metal respray in silver
Panel gaps appear well-aligned throughout
Features early DBS Mustang-style vents on rear pillars
New bumpers fitted with good chromework
All light lenses and window glass in good condition
Polished wire wheels present well on all corners

This beautifully presented DBS is a timely reminder of one of William Towns’ finest designs. The fastback styling aped contemporary American designs and was a firm step change from the DB6, albeit one that contained clever references to it, including the cut off ‘Kamm Tail.’

This car received a £100,000 restoration in 2018 that included bare metal repaint in classic dark silver and a fully retrimmed interior. You would hard know there has been seven years since, such is the level of presentation and preservation by its two UK keepers. This is a collector-quality example, as the photos demonstrate.

The Mechanicals

4.2-litre engine capacity (upgraded from original 4.0-litre)
Tremec 5-speed manual transmission
Engine rebuilt by marque specialist Rikki Cann
Fitted with Cosworth pistons
Vantage-specification triple Weber carburettors
Car has been fully rewired
New fuel tank and exhaust system
Upgraded cooling system with new fan
Regularly serviced and maintained as part of the seller’s collection

The DBS was new, buyers could acquire it factory-fitted with the Vantage improvements, or these could be retrofitted. This car follows the path of the many examples that got later factory enhancements. Although we have described it as ‘Vantage specification’ in the title, it goes a considerable step further.

The upgrades were part of the £100,000 restoration in 2018. Marque specialist Rikki Cann rebuilt the engine and has been bored out to 4.2L and fitted with Cosworth pistons. There is a trio of Vantage-spec Webers too. A Tremec 5spd manual box provides the engagement these cars deserve. The car was fully rewired during the restoration.

The MOT records show that the car has been sparingly used since all this work was completed. Its current collector-keeper acquired the car in 2022 and tells us that it has been serviced and maintained correctly. It is to run ‘perfectly’ and without issues.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

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