When Aston Martin was looking to replace the aging DB6, they turned to Italy to get something more exciting. Specifically, they chose Touring of Milan who had successfully styled previous Aston Martin icons like the DB4.

Aston Martin ordered a pair of prototypes and sent two shortened DB6 chassis to Milan. These were modified to accept a de Dion Tube suspension and featured an engine that was relocated ten inches further back. Fitted to this was the latest 365 bhp Vantage-spec engine and a ZF 5-Speed transmission.

By the time the car was received in Milan it was already better than any DB6. Touring applied their signature Superleggera technique which fitted body panels over a lightweight steel-tube structure. The result was a car that was 400 lbs lighter than DB6.

Touring designed a fastback coupe body style with a crease along the side of the car. The rear used a notched hatchback and quite a long overhang. At the front was a new take on Aston Martin’s grill that was stretched and flattened. Unfortunately the shape was lost to the wrap around split bumpers. Overall the car wasn’t too different from the Lamborghini Flying Star also bodied by Touring.

Two nearly identical cars were made, having steering on different sides. Displayed at the Earls Court and Turin motor shows, they featured ‘DB S’ lisence plates. Later Aston changed the name to DBSC to avoid confusion with the four door supercar which had already been launched.

Chassis

266/2/L-Painted Dubonnet Rosso with tan pigskin leather upholstery, this coupe first appeared at 1965 Turin Motor Show and was fitted with the 365 bhp Vantage C-spec engine. After the show it was purchased by AMOC member H R Owen. In April 1969 it was sold for £8,900.

Bonhams sold 266/2/L in very original condition at their Collectors Motor Cars and Automobilia auction at the Goodwood Revival for £320,500 inclusive of Buyer’s Premium. They described this as “Finished in Dubonnet Rosso with tan pigskin leather upholstery, this unique piece of Aston Martin history comes with a copy of old-style logbook, copies of Aston Martin correspondence, current MoT certificate and Swansea V5 registration document. (It should be noted that the current cherished registration is being retained by the vendor). A new spare windscreen is included in the sale also.

Any special coachbuilt motor car is rightly regarded as highly coveted and desirable. It is even more so when connected to one of the most famous marques in the history of the motor car industry. With the other car – chassis no. 266/2/L – now tied up in long term ownership, this example really does represent the only opportunity to acquire one of the legendary DBSCs.”

Story by Richard Owen