1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 MK III Drophead Coupe

Aston Martin had derived its name from Lionel Martin and from Aston Hill near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire. Aston Martin would be founded in 1913 with the help of Robert Bamford and would begin life selling Singer automobiles on Callow Street in London. Martin was quite involved in racing, especially hill climbs, and would decide that he could make his own cars and sell them. The first would be produced in 1915.

Unfortunately, World War I would halt production as Martin had joined the Admiralty and Robert Bamford went into the Royal Army Service Corps. Everything of Aston Martin would be sold to Sopwith Aviation Company.

After the war, Aston Martin would again be re-birthed and would begin actually producing cars. However, financial trouble always seemed to plague the small company and its very existence was threatened many times. Then, once again, another World War would halt production of automobiles. However, at least this time Aston Martin would continue to exist, but now making aircraft components.

When Aston Martin emerged from war yet again, it would do so with a new owner. David Brown Limited would buy both Aston Martin and Lagonda. And under Sir David Brown, Aston Martin's 'post-war savior', Aston Martin would ascend to a whole different level of auto-making and reputation.

The ascendancy would begin with the DB2. A huge step over its predecessor, the dual overhead cam straight-six would be derived from a Lagonda engine and would make the small coupe quite a performer. In fact, the DB2 would become quite successful in motor races and would actually pave the way for the company future success and direction.

While the DB2 would right the ship and get it back on course, its next edition would be considered by some to be the wind that carried the company along. The next edition was, very simply, the DB Mark III, but it would end up being anything but simple.

The Mark III would be the ultimate refinement of the DB2 is just about every way. The bodywork would be redesigned, including the now very familiar grille. The redesigned grille, headlights and hood would take the design from a more classic golden age look into the realm of modern sports car almost overnight. The DB3 would have a new instrument panel and would even make Girling disc brakes available.

Almost everything about the new design would be appealing to the public. It had the look and it had the performance. Road & Track would praise the new design calling it, 'A car for connoisseurs'. This model variant would end up propelling Aston Martin into the future. And it would be this model variant, according to the novels, that would be associated with James Bond.

In total, 551 model DB Mark IIIs would be made. However, out of those 551 models there were a couple of variants that represented the cream of the litter. The rarest and most desirable of the DB3s would be its two coupe variants. One of those variants was the Drophead Coupe. The second was the Fixed Head Coupe. Only about five Fixed Head Coupes would ever be made. Only 84 Drophead Coupes would go on to be made.

At the RM Auctions in Monterey, California one of those 84 Drophead Coupes would be up for sale. The 1958 Aston Martin DB Mark III Drophead Coupe, chassis number AM/300/1700, represents one of the ultimate refinements of the DB2. This DB3 marks the first actual post-war Aston Martin and is amongst the rarest of the fleet.

Complete with its Feltham, hand-built quality, AM/300/1700 would be delivered with its right-hand drive and Deep Carriage Green finish to Mr. Alfred W. McAlphine in September of 1958. The car would consist of such non-standard equipment as a Laycock overdrive and a twin exhaust system. The car would also come with a 178 bhp, 2.9-liter inline six-cylinder engine with dual SU carburetors. The front wheels would feature hydraulic disc brakes and 'Alfin' drums on the rear. Such a car would be capable of going zero to 60 mph in 9.3 seconds and could touch 120 mph.

Over the years the car would have a few owners. Most currently the property of Bernie Madoff, the car would be driven but the number of miles would be minimal. This would be validated by an inspection in 2008 that found only around 30,500 miles on the car.

Showing some signs of wear, the chassis still sports its Deep Carriage Green finish and period-style wire-spoke wheels and Michelin 'Sport Pilote' X tires. The interior had been re-trimmed with tan leather upholstery, and, had its convertible top replaced with a newer black model.

In spite of its wear, AM/300/1700 is still one of just 84 Drophead Coupe DB3s ever to be produced. It is rare and it is certainly a part of Aston Martin's rise to elite status. In many ways, Aston Martin owes its existence to the DB Mark III, like this one.

AM/300/1700 was expected to earn between $200,000 and $250,000 at auction.

Sources:
'Featured Lots: Lot No. 130: 1958 Aston Martin DB Mark III Drophead Coupe', (http://www.rmauctions.com/featurecars.cfm?SaleCode=MO11&CarID=r182&fc=0). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/featurecars.cfm?SaleCode=MO11&CarID=r182&fc=0. Retrieved 18 August 2011.

Wikipedia contributors, 'Aston Martin', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 15 August 2011, 12:58 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aston_Martin&oldid=444967566 accessed 18 August 2011

Wikipedia contributors, 'Aston Martin DB Mark III', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 4 June 2011, 16:22 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aston_Martin_DB_Mark_III&oldid=432537515 accessed 18 August 2011

Wikipedia contributors, 'Aston Martin DB2', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 17 June 2011, 15:19 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aston_Martin_DB2&oldid=434776149 accessed 18 August 2011

By Jeremy McMullen