In 1967 Aston Martin introduced the DBS. Powered by the same straight-six all-alloy, twin overhead cam 4-litre engine from its predecessor, producing a quoted 282 bhp. This larger GT car featured more modern styling and the wider body was better able to accommodate four adults.

Its increased weight reduced the performance somewhat over its sibling DB6 however it did offer refined handling with a near perfect 50:50 front:rear weight distribution. The DBS which offers a generous, opulent interior and boot space has spent much of its life viewed as an inferior model but as the value of classic cars continues to rise, the 40 year old model is becoming much more desirable. We believe their value will continue to rise significantly over the coming years as its lines appear evermore elegant.

We were approached in 2008 by a client with a tired example in faded red paint with the unrefined 3-speed automatic gearbox. A plan to build a very special DBS was drawn-up and work commenced immediately. What you see in these pictures is what we believe to be the ultimate specification DBS.

The engine and gearbox were removed and the engine bay stripped of parts. The body was taken back to bare metal and the chassis exposed for repair. All chassis and body repairs were carried out and an immaculate metallic black repaint was carried out. The suspension was rebuilt and engine bay restored. The car was then shod with new wheels and Avon’s superb road-legal CR-66Z historic race tyres. While this was being carried-out, an original ZF manual gearbox was sourced and rebuilt to replace the ageing Borg Warner automatic unit. The engine was uprated to Vantage specification on Weber carburettors with our 4.7 litre conversion. The car’s interior was renovated with Connolly treatment for the leather and re-trimmed with new black carpets. The original radio was rebuilt to offer FM frequencies and an mp3 player input. The addition of the all-important clutch pedal completed the car’s readiness for its muscular engine installation.

Once complete and finished, it’s apparent upon turning the key that the old DBS has been transformed into a very different machine. Back was the crisp handling and improved markedly with new Koni dampers and Avon tyres. Cars with automatic transmission were built with taller differential ratios than that of the manual cars and so this car’s increased power and torque is complimented greatly by the longer legs offered by the differential. The Weber carburettors’ snarl hint at the potency of the engine when in light traffic and when the full performance is unleashed it’s soberingly apparent the continent-swallowing capabilities of this praiseworthy car. All this performance takes nothing away from the luxury of the smart cabin in the DBS which is a welcoming place to be. In the new restrained colour which accentuates the bright chrome trim, the elegance and sharp lines really highlight the exclusivity of the DBS and put it firmly amongst its older stable-mates as a highly desirable collectors’ car. Our client has recently taken delivery of his car and has given a glowing report of his car and delight. In fine fettle, it will continue to offer many years of thrilling motoring.

• Live Progress GPS Map (10th Sept – 16th Oct)
• Latest GPS Position (Subject to network coverage)
• Live blog from Andrew and Adrian
• Official Website Results
  

The Peking To Paris Motor Race was held in 1907 for automobiles travelling between Peking (now Beijing) in China and Paris, France. The gruelling route which travelled through many remote areas of Asia covered a distance of 9,317 miles.

We have prepared for owner Adrian Gosden and co-driver Andrew Honychurch this 1965 DB5 rally car.  The five-week challenge takes a torturous 9050 mile route, taking in Beijing – Great Wall of China – Inner Mongolia – Gobi Desert – Outer Mongolia – Ulan Bator – Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan – Tashkent – Uzbekistan – Samarkand – Turkmenistan – Iran – Tabriz – Turkey – Istanbul – Greece – Italy – France – Paris.

We will have up-to-date information on the team’s progress here during the event. Owner Adrian Gosden is privileged to be the only Aston Martin entrant in the rally and we will have regular GPS location updates and a live blog from the car as the event progresses.

Link: Peking to Paris Official Website

We were extremely honoured to have had a personal visit from Ted Cutting, esteemed race car designer who put pen to paper in the early 1950s to create arguably the most beautiful of racing Aston Martins. With a string of successes in the hands of Tony Brooks, Stirling Moss, Carroll Shelby and Jack Fairman, Aston Martin went on to win Le Mans in 1959 and the 1959 World Sportscar Championship with the DBR1.

This particular car, chassis number DBR1/1 is undergoing careful mechanical rebuild and we were delighted Ted visited us in Cobham and was able to offer his valued advice about the period correctness of the rebuild. Vintage vehicle archivist and historian Dr. Clare Hay was also on hand to ensure this historic moment’s potential was maximised. Richard Williams and Mark Lewis discussed the technicalities of the rebuild process and Ted was able to offer fine details about the car’s original build and finish. The car is next expected to compete in the Sussex Trophy at The Goodwood Revival 2010 with Brian Redman driving.

We extend our appreciation and thanks to Ted Cutting.

Photographs by Jon Hill        agasjon[AT]btconnect.com

When EON Productions turned Ian Fleming’s famed Goldfinger novel into a film, they commissioned Aston Martin to create two DB5s in Silver Birch for lead character James Bond to drive. DB5 prototype DP216/1 was fitted with the gadgetry and weapons and can be seen when ‘Q’ introduces Bond (Sean Connery) to his new car while DB5/1486/R was used for the road scenes in Goldfinger and later Thunderball, again with Connery at the wheel.

DP216/1 was also seen in 1981 in The Cannonball Run but while in storage in Florida was stolen in 1997 and has not been recovered. DB5/1486/R has been privately owned by American Jerry Lee and has occasionally been seen since at various events. Mr Lee is putting the car up for sale with RM Auctions on 27^th October 2010 with proceeds going to his charity at JerryLeeFoundation.com. The car is predicted to become possibly the highest value road-going Aston Martin.

The car is currently in The UK and was in the press recently following an Aston Martin / James Bond event where the car’s 47 year old clutch finally gave up the ghost. The car is undergoing a clutch change and minor works at RS Williams prior to the auction in the autumn. All the car’s gadgets are in working order and the car shows its history and patina in keeping with an unrestored car of this vintage.

The Peking To Paris Motor Race was held in 1907 for automobiles travelling between Peking (now Beijing) in China and Paris, France. The gruelling route which travelled through many remote areas of Asia covered a distance of 9,317 miles.

This car was originally prepared by ourselves for a previous owner for The Second Peking to Paris Motor Challenge in 1997 which it completed in full. The car has been fully mechanically rebuilt and is now ready for test runs prior to shipping to Beijing for the start on 10th September 2010. The five-week challenge takes a torturous 9050 mile route, taking in Beijing – Great Wall of China – Inner Mongolia – Gobi Desert – Outer Mongolia – Ulan Bator – Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan – Tashkent – Uzbekistan – Samarkand – Turkmenistan – Iran – Tabriz – Turkey – Istanbul – Greece – Italy – France – Paris.

We will have up-to-date information on the team’s progress here during the event. Owner Adrian Gosden is privileged to be the only Aston Martin entrant in the rally and we will have regular GPS location updates from the car as the event progresses.

Link:  Peking to Paris Official Website