1968 Aston Martin DBS Vantage

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

The fact that this Aston Martin DBS is now presented in such stunning condition is due to the quality of a body-off restoration that was started in 2020, and which has resulted in a superb example of this stylish grand tourer. 

Chassis number DBS/5154/R was supplied new in Mink with Blue trim, and its factory build sheet shows that it was fitted with the optional Motorola radio. Its guarantee was issued on 25 October 1968 and it was sold to a Manchester-based owner via the Colebrook & Burgessdealership. 

Having been placed on SORN throughout much of the 2000s, the DBS was back in use by the time it passed to a new owner in 2020. They intended to carry out a repair to one of the sills and then continue driving the Aston before one day embarking on a full rebuild. 

As soon as work commenced, however, it was clear that the planned restoration was needed straight away. The DBS was entrusted to a Hereford-based specialist who spent almost 3000 hours stripping the car right down, replacing all of the rotten metalwork – which was a considerable job on its own – overhauling the running gear, and rebuilding the engine and gearbox. The electrical system was renewed throughout, the interior was fully retrimmed by GB Classic Trim, and the chrome was redone by Marque Restores. 

In order to cure leaks from the rear main oil seal – a problem that can affect the DB4-5-6 and six-cylinder DBS – a Steel Wings neoprene seal conversion kit was installed during the engine rebuild. Chase Engineering converted the cylinder head to run on unleaded fuel, and in the cockpit there’s now a Radiomobile 108 8-Track with Bluetooth hands-free functionand DAB capability.

The completed Aston Martin took part in the 2022 Salon Privé Club Trophy at Blenheim Palace and is now being offered for sale with an extensive history file that includes not only a photographic record of its restoration, but also a charming Esso service record that logs the maintenance work that was carried out between 1975 (at 55,000 miles) and 1997 (at just under 88,000 miles).

As one of only 72 six-cylinder DBS Vantages to leave the Newport Pagnell factory, this beautifully sorted car represents a rare opportunity to buy one of these powerful and extremely attractive British classics. 

MODEL HISTORY  

The DBS marked the beginning of a new era for Aston Martin when it was launched at Blenheim Palace in September 1967. In-house stylist Williams Towns was given the job of replacing the Touring-designed DB4-5-6 family, and produced a modern, sharp, square-edged design that set the template for the subsequent V8 models.

The DBS should have been powered by a V8 engine from day one, but Tadek Marek’s new 5.3-litre unit wasn’t ready in time, so instead Aston Martin carried over the 4-litre six-cylinder engine from the DB6. It was available in either standard 282bhp SU-carburettor form, or as the 325bhp Vantage, which used Weber carburettors. 

Drive was via a ZF five-speed manual gearbox or a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic, and the rear suspension employed a de Dion set-up rather than the DB6’s live axle. 

When Motor magazine road-tested a DBS Vantage, it published the results under the headline ‘S for Superb’, and recorded a 0-60mph time of 7.1 seconds. It summed up the car as being ‘the connoisseur’s four-seater GT’ and said that it had ‘great performance and handling’. 

The DBS V8 eventually joined the six-cylinder model in 1969, and the two ran alongside each other until 1972. The six-cylinder DBS was then dropped, and the bigger-engined car morphed into the V8. 

The DBS now attracts a strong following for its blend of style and usable performance – not to mention the fact that it was used by both Brett Sinclair in The Persuaders and James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.