1971 Aston Martin DBS Vantage Sports Saloon
Chassis no. DBS/5727/R
Engine no. 400/4832/SVC

Although always intended to house the new Tadek Marek-designed V8 engine, the Aston Martin DBS was launched in October 1967 with the 4.0-litre 'six' of the concurrently produced DB6. Styled in-house by William Towns, the beautiful DBS caused quite a stir, Autocar magazine observing: "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."

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. Larger and more luxuriously appointed than the DB6, the DBS was, inevitably, heavier but the Vantage version's top speed of 140mph (225km/h) and a standing quarter-mile time of 16.3 seconds were highly respectable figures nonetheless. Assessing the virtues of Aston's new flagship, Autocar judged it superior to the DB6 in many areas, the bigger DBS offering four full-sized seats in addition to transformed handling and roadholding courtesy of the new rear suspension and standardised power steering.

"Turning to matters other than performance, we really were most tremendously impressed by the DBS" enthused Car magazine. "The interior, especially merits praise not only for its uniquely satisfying aesthetics and superb finish (way, way ahead of any Italian rival in this respect) but also for the thought that has gone into the ergonomics of its layout."

Although less well known as such than the earlier 'DB' series, the DBS is yet another 'James Bond' Aston Martin, having featured in the 1969 motion picture, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, starring George Lazenby as the eponymous secret agent.

Chassis number '5727/R' was built in right-hand drive configuration for the UK market and has the desirable ZF five-speed manual transmission. It should be noted that the engine (originally '400/4819/SVC') has been changed for another of correct type. According to the attached illustrated condition report (in German), the car shows normal signs of age with no rust and no restoration necessary, and is ready to be driven without restrictions. Always kept garaged and well maintained, this car is owned by a German-Irish professor who has had no time to drive it, hence his decision to sell. Offered with a current UK V5C registration document.