"Following on from the DB6, the DBS was initially conceived as a limited production, fast two-seater and prepared to accommodate the new Tadek Marek-designed V8 engine. The DBS evolved throughout its development cycle to include deeper spoilers and better ventilation. The ‘four-headlight’ DBS has become highly valued and a very early manual car, such as this, is one of the most sought-after versions, appreciated as both collectible and eminently useable on an everyday basis. It has certain important and unique features, lost in later models, such as the wood panel dash and the distinctive 'three flutes' behind the rear windows, both of which make the car more attractive than the later cars.
The AML build sheet indicates that it was a factory demonstrator from October 1968 until December that year when documents detail transfer to the second owner, a Mr. Vickers of London. Little history exists of its early life until 1992 when it was discovered standing in a barn for 10 years, with the engine head off, awaiting attention. It was subsequently sent to a restorer in Hailsham, East Sussex where the car was dismantled but re-assembly never took place, although the engine appeared to be in one piece. It was a full eight years later that, at the owner’s request, Aston Martin Specialists, Newlands Motors, collected the car from Hailsham in late 2000 and set about restoring the car. They fully expected to have to work on the engine, but running it up after re-assembly, the pressures and functions were 100%. There was a brief couple of years of intermittent usage before the car was returned to storage for another four years until the current owner who asked Newlands Motors to recommission the car resulting in an invoice of nearly £8,500.
It was in 2010, that Aston Martin specialists Byron International, were asked to market the car on behalf of the owner and it quickly found a new home with an enthusiast in France. There it has remained for the past 10 years, enjoyed and used sparingly. Making the decision to part company with the car did not stop the owner in ensuring the mechanical elements were in tiptop condition, replacing gaskets and servicing the car as late as December last year.
From 2000-2012, Newlands Motors have been servicing it regularly and comprehensively and from 2013, there were a number of different specialists until 2015 when it arrived at RS Williams albeit briefly. Aston Workshops in 2017, then various others, including RS Williams, for sundry servicing. Latterly AES, specialist Aston Martin engineers in Leiston but more importantly, since February 2021, it has been looked after by Vantage Engineering in West Sussex, a highly recommended firm, for its preparation for sale. With its predecessors, the DB4, DB5, and DB6, still commanding huge premiums on the current value of a DBS for cars of similar condition, this represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a six-cylinder Aston Martin from the hand built era of the marque.
Whilst this lot is currently registered in France, it has now been imported to the UK and a NOVA certificate issued to register the car once again in the UK. It is now expected that the previous UK registration number will be reassigned.
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