1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 MK III Fastback Coupe

Some things are just too good to part with, or, touch for that matter. Some things, despite the incredible urge to take and touch and feel, are just better appreciated by what the eyes take in. The beautiful lines of the 1958 Aston Martin DB MK IIIA Coupe cause the eyes to stir the imagination all by themselves. Touch is not necessary.

Aston Martin's DB series is an icon in the automotive industry. David Brown acquired the company in the late 1940s and contracted Frank Freely to design a new model road car. In 1950, Aston Martin debuted its DB2. Throughout the 1950s, the DB2 went through various refinements. Each one seemed to create its own identity among enthusiasts. In 1953, the original DB2 became the DB2/4, which was a four-place saloon. Some of its noted variants were the Drophead Coupe and the Fixed Head Notchback. In 1954, the engine and car performance was the next area to be refined. A new 3.0 liter engine MK II variant, which produced 140 horsepower, was unveiled in 1955. The MK II continued in production until 1957 until it was replaced by the MK III. The DB MK III's engine was now capable of producing 178 bhp with optional dual exhaust outlets. Other refinements on the MK III included the reshaping of the grill on the nose. Its redesigned shape took after the DB3S sports car racing variant. Inside the car's interior, noted changes included the instrument cluster being placed directly in front of the driver. A technical change which took place in 1957 was that the 2/4 indication was dropped in favor of merely DB MK III.

The example up for auction at the 2011 RM Auction in Arizona has been considered a benchmark vehicle. Kevin Kay has been quoted as saying, this car is 'the template with which any DB2-series Aston should be compared for an authentic restoration.' The DB2 had been barely driven ever since it was first purchased in 1958. Like little shots of adrenaline, the car's one and only previous owner had only put 44,000 miles on the car.

The car includes a 162 bhp, 2,922 cc DBA in-line six-cylinder engine. It has dual overhead camshafts and dual SU carburetors. It touts a fully-synchronized four-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension with coil springs, trailing arms, anti-roll bar, trailing link, coil springs and Armstrong lever dampers. The rear axle is a live Salisbury connected by trailing links and a transverse Panhard rod. The brakes for this car, though front-wheel Girling disc brakes were optional, are hydraulic drum brakes.

There are numerous amounts of original aspects to the car. This example was offered for sale in Southern California and sports a left-hand driving position. In addition to the left-hand drive that is somewhat unique, this car goes even further. The car still sports the original California 'black plate' issued with the sale of the car. The black plate itself is desirable to many collectors. The car has only had one previous owner since 1958 and was just sold in 2009!

The car's owners, when they purchased it after the death of its original owner, expected to have to restore the car to a certain degree. However, upon inspection, they found the car to be in rather good condition. It was tested and considered to track and drive still with a tight feel, as only a new car would. The chassis has retained much of its original ivory white finish. The seats have been re-covered as the original Connolly black-trimmed hides have been altered. Because of the fact the car is so historic its owners decided not to put the car through any restoration.

Since acquisition, the car has been entered into one classic rally to confirm that it runs as it should be expected. So much of the car is authentic. The car even comes complete with a copy of its original factory build sheet. The car has so many original, complete and irreplaceable aspects to it that it is truly belonging in a special class.

Source:
'Buy: Feature Lots (Lot 142: 1958 Aston Martin DB MK IIIA Coupe)', (http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r339). RM Auctions Arizona. http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=AZ11&CarID=r339. Retrieved 3 January 2011.

By Jeremy McMullen