1969 Aston Martin DBS Vantage, Design by William Towns

1969 Aston Martin DBS Vantage
Design by William Towns
Chassis no. DBS/5362/R
Engine no. 400/4168/SVC
3,995cc DOHC Vantage 6-Cylinder Engine
3 Dual-throat Weber Carburetors
325bhp at 5,750rpm
5-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Rare Vantage-spec DBS with 5-speed ZF manual transmission
*Exquisite 2-year nut-and-bolt restoration performed
*Matching numbers example
*The last Aston Martin under Sir David Brown's leadership

THE ASTON MARTIN DBS

Introduced in 1967, the new DBS was the successor to the DB6 – it represented a new, very modern look for Aston Martin. Styled in-house by William 'Bill' Towns, the beautiful DBS caused quite a stir, Autocar magazine observing that: "Without the aid of an Italian stylist the Newport Pagnell team came up with something as modern, handsome and Italianate as anything from the Turin coachbuilders at that time."

The DBS was wider and had a lower profile than its predecessor, giving a more aggressive look and offering more cabin space. The engine was placed further back in the chassis, behind the front axle, resulting in an almost 50/50 weight ratio. Using a de Dion rear axle, the DBS exhibited excellent handling characteristics. Beneath its shapely exterior the DBS employed a platform-type chassis with independent suspension all round: wishbone and coil-spring at the front, De Dion with Watts linkage at the rear. The engine was the 4.0-litre 'six' of the concurrently produced DB6; an all-aluminum dual overhead cam unit, producing 282 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. A high-performance Vantage version of the legendary motor was also available. Trimmed with triple Weber carburetors, the Vantage-spec engine made 325 horsepower at 5,750 rpm, and would propel the luxurious Aston Martin to over 140 mph.

The interior was as usual luxuriously appointed with the finest Connolly hides available in best Aston Martin fashion. James Bond approved as well, using a DBS as his motorcar of choice in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and again in the next Bond film Diamonds are Forever where a DBS sits in Q's famous workshop getting prepared for action. A superb expression of the automotive design its era, the Aston Martin DBS has become an icon of the marque, and also marks the last model produced under Sir David Brown's leadership at Aston Martin.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

From the first series of DBS production, this rare Vantage spec example is representative of the clean and simple design of these early cars. Built in 1969, this DBS was specified as a right-hand-drive example optioned with the 5-speed ZF manual transmission, power steering and a Radiomobile radio, while it was fitted with the desirable high-performance Vantage engine and chassis upgrades. It was finished in the Platinum (I.C.I. MO73-3659) exterior color over a black Connolly leather interior.

Delivered new to Plough Motors, the Aston Martin DBS Vantage is believed to have relocated to Canada in its early years. In recent years, the DBS Vantage has received a comprehensive, nut-and-bolt restoration by Montreal, Canada-based professionals. All work has been done to factory correct specifications, and the original matching-numbers Vantage engine as well as the ZF 5-speed gearbox was retained and is found in the car to this day. The beautiful William "Bill" Towns-designed exterior has been finished in a gorgeous light blue-grey metallic color, much like the original factory-applied Platinum color, while the interior has been neatly re-trimmed in black leather, looking just like it did when new.

Upon close inspection it is immediately evident that this car has been gone through with extreme eye for detail. With its factory-delivered, high performance engine and 5-speed ZF transmission, this fine Aston Martin would be a spectacular car to drive on high speed rallies such as the Copperstate 1000 or to show at discerning Concours d'Elegance events. Documented by its Aston Martin Heritage Trust-issued Vehicle Heritage Certificate, this spectacular DBS is one of very few Vantage specification, 5-speed gearbox Series I cars delivered and is an opportunity not to be missed.