Description:
First shown in September 1967, the DBS was styled by William Towns who had joined the company a year earlier. A development of the DB6, the DBS was initially conceived as a limited production fast two seater and prepared to accommodate the new V8 engine designed by Tadek Marek which had been raced in experimental form in The Lola Aston Martin. To accommodate the width of a V8 engine the steel platform chassis of the DB6 was increased in width by 4 1/2" and the wheel base lengthened by 1" to allow the engine to be lowered behind the front cross member. Although wider than a DB6 by 6" it is both lower by 1 ¼" and Shorter by 1 ½", which gives the car a powerful compact appearance. The standard engine produced 282 b.h.p. whilst 325 b.h.p. was claimed for the Vantage. A de Dion rear axle was fitted with a limited slip differential. The model was in production from October 1967 to May 1972, during which time 787 cars were produced. Almost all manufacturers take their models through a process of development and improvement and the DBS is no exception. As a result, there was a continuous process of development and change throughout the production of the DBS, the most noticeable changes being the deeper spoilers fitted to the later cars and improved ventilation. The most significant improvement occurred with the last fifty cars which were fitted with the ‘dogleg' ZF gearbox as fitted to the subsequent DBSV8. As the eighteenth from the last car built, DBS/5812/R is such a car.
Vehicle History: The original Aston Martin build records show that this car was built with the Vantage engine and, as one of the last 50 DBS's built, it had the "dog leg" ZF 5 speed geabox fitted. It was supplied through dealers, Bowker & Fisher, to J V R Bullough Esq of Carnforth Lancashire. It was sold in 1986 on to a Mr D Muecke when the mileage was 36,839 by HWMotors Limited, the authorised Aston Martin dealer, the car was sold ‘Subject to Report' and the maintenance history shows the work subsequently performed by HWM. By 1990 when the mileage was 50,485, the car was in the hands of Mr Bell of Byfleet who, amongst other work, commissioned the full restoration of the chassis and sills by Aston Martin Lagonda Limited. During the ensuing nineteen years the car has covered only 11,000 miles. In 1993 with the mileage at 56,000, AMOC member Barry France purchased the car, which he was to keep for the next fourteen years covering only 4,000 miles during that period. Together with the almost thirty year record of MOTs and the maintenance records, there is very good reason to believe that the current mileage of 61,000 is original and genuine.
Vehicle History: The original Aston Martin build records show that this car was built with the Vantage engine and, as one of the last 50 DBS's built, it had the "dog leg" ZF 5 speed geabox fitted. It was supplied through dealers, Bowker & Fisher, to J V R Bullough Esq of Carnforth Lancashire. It was sold in 1986 on to a Mr D Muecke when the mileage was 36,839 by HWMotors Limited, the authorised Aston Martin dealer, the car was sold ‘Subject to Report' and the maintenance history shows the work subsequently performed by HWM. By 1990 when the mileage was 50,485, the car was in the hands of Mr Bell of Byfleet who, amongst other work, commissioned the full restoration of the chassis and sills by Aston Martin Lagonda Limited. During the ensuing nineteen years the car has covered only 11,000 miles. In 1993 with the mileage at 56,000, AMOC member Barry France purchased the car, which he was to keep for the next fourteen years covering only 4,000 miles during that period. Together with the almost thirty year record of MOTs and the maintenance records, there is very good reason to believe that the current mileage of 61,000 is original and genuine.
INSPECTION REPORTS:
1986 when the mileage was 36,839 a full inspection was carried out as a condition of sale by HWM Motors to Mr D Muecke. The car was described in the report as being in "Good general condition for the age of the car", the most significant work required being repairing an oil leak to the pinion and the steering rack. The engine compression test showed particularly strong readings.
1992, when in the subsequent ownership of Mr Peter Bell of Byfleet, an inspection report was performed by Aston Martin Lagonda Limited which highlighted the need for chassis and sill repair and a brake overhaul. Mr Bell accepted the report's findings and instructed the factory to carry out the necessary remedial work.
1999 when in the ownership of Mr Barry France, the car was inspected again at the factory as part of a programme offered by the Aston Martin Owners Club. No major faults were discovered and Mr France subsequently proceeded to have all the material points addressed (with the exception of the frayed seat belts which have been replaced recently)
Summary: The ‘four headlight' DBS has become highly valued and evocative of the seventies. A manual car such as this to full ‘Vantage' specification is the most sought after version, appreciated as both collectible and eminently useable on an everyday basis. With its predecessors, the DB4, DB5, and DB6, still commanding up to three times the current value of a DBS for cars of similar condition, this represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a six cylinder Aston Martin from the handbuilt era of the marque.
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