RM Auctions recently revealed that the Monterey Auction, due to be held on the 17th and 18th August will feature a pretty special 1955 Aston Martin DB3S. It’s an original chassis with original engine and bodywork, delivered new to a Dutch owner. It comes with a well documented history and has been owned by Aston Martin collectors for the past 48 years! This particular car is chassis number 118, one of twenty customer cars built.
It features a 2992 cc inline six-cylinder engine which produces 210 bhp at 5,500 rpm. Mechanicals include twin overhead camshafts, triple sidedraft Weber carburetors, a four-speed David Brown close-ratio gearbox, independent front suspension with trailing links, torsion bar springing and lever shock absorbers. It’s fitted with De Dion rear suspension located by parallel trailing links and Panhard rod, torsion bar springing and telescopic shock absorbers. Braking comes through the use of four Alfin drum brakes.
As far as racing history goes, the car managed first and second places at Zandvoort circuit race meetings and a second place at Goodwood in 1956. For the 1957 season it only raced once at Zandvoort, yet managed a first place. After being sold and moved to the US, in 1958 it managed a first in class at Bridgehampton. Over the past few years it has been partially restored, having worn white with blue racing stripes when it received second in class at Pebble Beach.
Estimates have placed the car in the 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 dollar bracket.
