Photo: Bonhams
Following the disappointingly uncompetitive DB3 of 1951, Aston Martin developed the DB3S. Only 31 examples of the DB3S were ever manufactured: 11 race cars and 20 customer cars. The DB3S we’ll be talking about today is a race-ready example, an Aston Martin Works machine bearing chassis #DB3S/5.
This blast from the past is set to go under the hammer at the Aston Martin Works Sale on May 21, and Bonhams expects to sell it for anything between £6 to £7 million. That will be $8.65 to $10.1 million converted at current exchange rates, a lot of money for a gray-haired racecar with torsion bars and trailing arms.
But then again, DB3S/5 began life as the personal car of David Brown, the multi-millionaire industrialist who owned Aston Martin during its heyday. The first racing action seen by DB3S/5 came as a necessity after three DB3S cars were destroyed during the 1954 Le Mans race. So yes, this singleton saw some competition.
"Few cars that have appeared in film can also boast an association with so many great names from the heyday of the British racing sports car, but this Aston Martin DB3S does just that," declared Tim Schofield, the head of the motoring department at Bonhams. "Drivers who raced it include such legends as Peter Collins, Roy Salvadori, and Sir Stirling Moss, competing at world-class level in such grueling races as the Mille Miglia, the Spa Grand Prix and the Nurburgring 1,000 KM."
DB3S/5 also starred in School for Scoundrels, a comedy from 1960 in which Terry-Thomas drives the car. Despite the wear and tear gathered over the years, the car was fully restored by the British manufacturer two years ago and it is ready to rumble. The highest bidder will get some extras aside from the car itself, including a spare engine block.
If you’re in the market for a retro racer with tremendous investment potential, look no further than this magnificent DB3S. If you're looking for cheaper thrills, I suggest going for the Vantage GTS or Vantage GT8.
But then again, DB3S/5 began life as the personal car of David Brown, the multi-millionaire industrialist who owned Aston Martin during its heyday. The first racing action seen by DB3S/5 came as a necessity after three DB3S cars were destroyed during the 1954 Le Mans race. So yes, this singleton saw some competition.
"Few cars that have appeared in film can also boast an association with so many great names from the heyday of the British racing sports car, but this Aston Martin DB3S does just that," declared Tim Schofield, the head of the motoring department at Bonhams. "Drivers who raced it include such legends as Peter Collins, Roy Salvadori, and Sir Stirling Moss, competing at world-class level in such grueling races as the Mille Miglia, the Spa Grand Prix and the Nurburgring 1,000 KM."
DB3S/5 also starred in School for Scoundrels, a comedy from 1960 in which Terry-Thomas drives the car. Despite the wear and tear gathered over the years, the car was fully restored by the British manufacturer two years ago and it is ready to rumble. The highest bidder will get some extras aside from the car itself, including a spare engine block.
If you’re in the market for a retro racer with tremendous investment potential, look no further than this magnificent DB3S. If you're looking for cheaper thrills, I suggest going for the Vantage GTS or Vantage GT8.
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