1967→1972 Aston Martin DBS
Unveiled at Blenheim Palace on September 25, 1967, the William Towns designed DBS was originally only intended for limited production.
In its original guise the DBS retained the six-cylinder, 3,995 cc engine employed in the DB6. However, after an announcement on 27 September, 1969 the DBS was also made available with a V8 engine, with the car being known as the DBSV8 – a four-seat grand touring car, capable of 160 mph.
Besides the engine differences, notable visual differences between the two variants included, on the DBSV8, the use of specially designed 15’’ light weight alloy wheels with ventilated brake discs for the first time on an Aston Martin production car (as opposed to the distinctive wire wheels employed on the DBS).
A distinguishing feature of both the DBS and DBSV8 are the four quartz iodine headlights set into an alternative version of the iconic Aston Martin grille.
The DBS and the DBSV8 were produced concurrently until May 1972.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1967 – 1972 |
| built at | Newport Pagnell , England |
| price £/td> | £4,473 |
| engine | Inline-6 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| displacement | 3995 cc / 243.79 in³ |
| power | 210.3 kw / 282 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| specific output | 70.59 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 177.58 bhp per tonne |
| curb weight | 1588 kg / 3502 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2610 mm / 102.8 in |
| length | 4580 mm / 180.3 in |
| width | 1830 mm / 72.0 in |
| height | 1330 mm / 52.4 in |
| transmission | ZF five-speed manual gearbox or Borg Warner Automatic |
| top speed | ~225.26 kph / 140 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~7.1 seconds |
Auction Sales History
1968 Aston Martin DBS Series I DBS/5200/LAC – sold for $148,500 Rare factory delivered left hand drive example with 5-speed ZF and air conditioning. Matching numbers example. Award winning, beautifully presented example. The last Aston Martin under Sir David Brown’s leadership. Offered with restoration receipts, Heritage Trust Certificate, owners manual and tools.
Auction Source: 2013 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams
1969 Aston Martin DBS Vantage DB/5313/L –
The Aston Martin DBS on offer was produced in March 1969, so it is a mark 1 with small rear vents. It is one of rare Vantages in LHD with the very desirable ZF manual gearbox. The current owner bought the car in 2003. A Porsche collector from the Alsace region who is known to be very fastidious, he then undertook a restoration of the body to clean up all the metal-aluminum contact points which are known to be prone to corrosion. Thus, the lower body, the wings and doors have been restored. As can be seen from photographic evidence, the body has been completely sanded and repainted a very nice Ice Blue from the DB4 colour palate, which fits perfectly with the interior’s original champagne leather that remains preserved with an the inimitable patina. The bumpers were originally rechromed and the rims have been replaced.
Auction Source: Artcurial Motorcars à 2013 Rétromobile
1968 Aston Martin DBS V8 DBS/5072/RAC –
The factory build sheet shows DBS/5072/RAC was sold to a Demetrios Z. Pierides of Farmagusta, Cypress on 28 June, 1968. The owner at the time of the prototype V-8 conversion in early 1974 was likely a Mr. P. Harris. Mr. G. Russell of Bournemouth is indicated by a 1981 re-upholstery invoice, and by 1983 a Mr. Tibble in Hertfordshire is named on an AML parts purchase invoice. Pranged on the left front, it was sold stateside to A.H. Spencer of Buffalo, New York. In 1989, after driving the car and pronouncing it “scary fast,” he sold it to Chris Nelson, a Canadian who kept it a further 15 years, carrying out a total body and mechanical restoration. In 2004 the previous owner, an ex-Chairman of the AMOC East/USA, bought DBS/5072/RAC. After 10 years or so in an unheated barn, another mechanical refurbishment was in order. It is almost easier to list what wasn’t done, but suffice it to say that the engine, fuel injection, suspension, clutch, braking system and the electrics were renewed. Since club track days were anticipated, performance improvements were also carried out. An HD suspension, four springs, four shocks and front and rear anti-sway bars, as well as an oil cooler kit and “MSD” electronic ignition kit, were fitted. A rare Vantage V-8 three-piece alloy boot-lid spoiler was also sourced and installed.
Auction Source: 2011 London Auction by RM
With just 42,000 documented miles from new, this 1971 DBSV8 is very elegantly presented in Aston Martin Midnight Blue with Navy Blue Connolly hides and Wilton carpets. It features a comprehensive body-off-frame restoration, mainly by the highly respected firm Aston Engineering of Derby, UK, which was completed in 2008. The owner estimates that, excluding the value of the car, it would cost £150 000 to replicate a restoration of this quality today. A matching-numbers car, it is equipped with a ZF five-speed gearbox and Bosch fuel injection as per its original specification, plus an upgraded electronic ignition system for improved performance and reliability.
Auction Source: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions
1968 Aston Martin DBS/V8 Saloon DBS/5072/RAC –
The factory Build Sheet shows it was sold to a Demetrios Z. Pierides of Farmagusta, Cypress on 28 June, 1968. The owner at the time of the prototype V-8 conversion in early 1974 was likely a Mr. P. Harris. Mr. G. Russell of Bournemouth is indicated by a 1981 re-upholstery invoice, and by 1983 a Mr. Tibble in Hertfordshire is named on an AML parts purchase invoice. Pranged on the left front, it was sold stateside to AH Spencer of Buffalo, New York. In 1989, after driving the car and pronouncing it “scary fast,” he sold it to Chris Nelson, a Canadian who kept it a further 15 years, carrying out a total body and mechanical restoration. In 2004 the present owner, an ex-Chairman of the AMOC East/USA bought #5072. After ten years or so in an unheated barn, another mechanical refurbishment was in order. It is almost easier to list what wasn’t done, but suffice it to say that the engine, fuel injection, suspension, clutch, braking system and the electrics were renewed. Since club track days were anticipated, performance improvements were also carried out. An HD suspension, four springs, four shocks and front and rear anti-sway bars, as well as an oil cooler kit and “MSD” electronic ignition kit, were fitted. A rare Vantage V-8 three-piece alloy boot-lid spoiler was also sourced and installed.
Auction Source: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions
