Beschreibung:

2,922 cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine Triple Weber 40DCOE Carburetors (see text) Est.195bhp at 5,500rpm (see text) 4-Speed Manual Transmission Front Independent with Live Rear Axle Suspension Front Disk and Rear Drum Hydraulically Assisted Brakes *Upgraded to DBB engine specification *Retains the original, matching numbers engine *One of only 551 DB MkIIIs made *Original left-hand drive with three owners since 1969 THE ASTON MARTIN DB MKIII Although it never featured in a James Bond film, having ceased production years before the franchise commenced, the DB MkIII nevertheless was the Aston Martin driven by '007' in Ian Fleming's novel, 'Goldfinger'. It was also the last Aston Martin produced with the six-cylinder engine designed under the supervision of the great W O Bentley. Two years after the introduction of the DB2/4 MkII came the DB MkIII - the '2/4' suffix being dropped - 551 of which, mainly saloons, were made between March 1957 and July 1959, 55% of which were exported. Externally the most obvious change was the adoption of a DB3S-style grille, establishing the 'hallmark' look of subsequent Aston Martins, which had been drawn up by Tickford designer, Bert Thickpenny. This restyled nose gives the car a more imposing look, while the interior boasted a redesigned dashboard with instruments grouped in a cowled panel ahead of the driver. The 3.0-liter engine had benefited from an extensive redesign by Tadek Marek (newly arrived from Austin) and featured, among other improvements, a stiffer block, stronger crankshaft, and a new cylinder head with bigger valves. 162bhp was available with the single-pipe exhaust system, 178bhp with the optional twin-pipe version. Elsewhere there were improvements to both clutch and gearbox; Laycock overdrive became available and front disc brakes were standard rather than optional after the first 100 cars had been built, commencing at chassis '1401'. Despite the inevitable weight increase, the MkIII was faster than any of its predecessors with a top speed of 120mph. If that still was not enough, customers could opt for a more powerful DBB and (later) DBD 'Special Series' engine. Introduced as an option at the 1958 London Motor Show, the DBD came with triple (sometimes twin) SU carburetors and produced 180bhp or 195 with the twin exhausts. This engine was fitted to 47 cars. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED This lovely DB MkIII was ordered new in California through British Motor Cars of San Francisco, California. Delivered on April 29, 1959 in Deep Carriage Green over Beige Connolly leather, the original owner was recorded as H. Bryan Wilson of Snelling, California at the foothills of Yosemite. It appears the next owner was Robert Downing of Opp, Alabama, who acquired the car in 1969 and would maintain it in his garage for the next 42 years. An engineer by trade, Mr. Downing would bring the car out West to the Bay Area—not far from where it was originally delivered—and eventually completely an extensive, long term restoration of the DB MkIII. Torn down bear metal and stripped to its basic pieces, it was noted during the disassembly that the body sections and ancillary parts retain their correct and original Tickford body number of #303. During the restoration, it is reported that the car was gone through with each part either refurbished or replaced (it should be noted that no restoration records accompany the machine). During the mechanical rebuild, the engine was uprated with a balanced crankshaft, performance pistons, triple Weber carburetors, and a hotter camshaft from DB3S/104. The completed machine was repainted in British Racing Green and interior retrimmed in tan camel skin leather with match tan Wilton carpets. The work is understood to have been finished in 2010. It should be mentioned that records of the work completed do not accompany the car. Sold by Downing in March of 2011, it was acquired a month later at the end of April, 2011. Not actively used in the present ownership, it is ready for so