Aston Martin DB MKIII
With a restorative outlay of over £87,000, this Aston DB remains in tip-top fettle,
First sold to a Mr RH Jacobs of Johannesburg in 1958, this DB MKIII stayed in South Africa until 2000 when it was first UK registered by its current owner.
During his time it has had a three-phase restoration (initially by Tim Stamper, Penrith and later by current vendor Trevor Farrington), which has been fully detailed in the history file, including all UK Mots and receipts for parts and work.
Pre-2001 a new brake master cylinder was fitted, along with a stainless-steel exhaust and uprated electric fan. Between 2001 and 2009 the wiring harness was replaced, the radiator re-cored, fresh track-rod ends fitted and the braking system rebuilt. The Tickford-built body received a bare metal repaint in 2009 and the interior a partial retrim, with suspension components refurbished and dynamo, starter and distributor overhauled between 2011 and 2013. During this phase, the engine and gearbox were rebuilt, and the fuel system overhauled.
The body is beautiful, with perfectly matched blue paint all round and straight flanks with tight panel shutlines. Chrome is largely excellent, with no marks on either bumper. Door handles and wheel spinners have minor pitting, but it’s really gentle patina. At the restoration finish, tyres were replaced with Avon 185/R16 93s, which are showing lots of tread. The painted wire wheels are still in excellent nick.
Underbonnet attention to detail is first class. Braided steel fuel and brake pipes have been fitted all round, and the twin SU carburettors and inlet manifold black enamelled. The chassis is similarly smart with the paint still looking fresh. There’s no corrosion visible on the underside, but the underseal is lightly cracking and would benefit from a refresh.
The interior is a pleasing combination of old and new. The leather seats have a lovely patina and remain well fed, the cream headlining looks like new, as do carpets (dark blue, piped dark blue) and the painted dashboard is scratch-free.
On the road the DB MKIII is discretion personified, only raising eyebrows with its induction snort under heavy throttle. The whole package is wonderfully tight and drives majestically; there’s no steering slop and the straight-six pulls cleanly through the revs. The gearbox changes crunch-free, although non-synchro first gear requires a double de-clutch. Brakes are good, as befits a totally overhauled system, and having covered 18,000 miles since 2000, the car has seen reasonable yearly service and use.
The suspension is generally without issue, although front dampers are a little bouncy over road imperfections; however, this will be investigated and rectified. On a hot day (29 degrees), the Aston didn’t miss a beat with water temperature a steady 85 degrees and oil pressure around 35psi.
Compared to later variants, the DB2/4 offers a more cost-effective route into classic Aston Martin ownership, and arguably it gives a sportier drive. This appears to be a fine example, ready to give decades of sterling service.