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Aston Martin introduced the DB3 in 1951 with a chassis designed by Robert Eberan von Eberhorst, coachwork by in-house stylist Frank Feeley, and powered by a 2.6-liter Lagonda straight-6 engine that had been designed by W.O. Bentley. Output soon grew to 2.9 liters to increase its competitiveness. The DB3 was replaced in 1953 by the DB3S after ten examples had been built.
The DB3S was a highly evolved version of its predecessor, with modern and curvaceous coachwork, a lighter and more sophisticated chassis, and an even more potent engine. Before it was replaced by the DBR1, a total of 11 works cars and 20 customer cars were built.
This particular example is chassis number 131/DB135. It began life as Development Project 155, an experimental monoposto racecar aimed at contesting grand prix racing.
When Formula One was updated for the 1954 season with a 2,500-cubic-centimeter displacement limitation, Aston Martin's David Brown tasked his team with developing a 2.5-liter version of its 3-liter engine. It was given the codename 'Development Project 155 (DP155),' and the engine was installed into an unstamped DB3S chassis and mounted with monoposto coachwork. The project did not progress much further beyond this stage, and following testing, it was put on the 'back burner. Reg Parnell later persuaded management to let him campaign the car in the winter-scheduled Tasman Series in Australia and New Zealand.
After the 2.5-liter engine failed in practice, it was removed and replaced by a standard race-tuned 3-liter engine. In this guise, Parnell claimed two podium finishes during January 1956.
DP155 returned to England where team manager John Wyer sold it to Geoff Richardson. Hoping to improve the car's competitiveness, the engine was replaced with a Jaguar motor. It competed in a few races under the identity of the RRA Special (Richardson Racing Automobiles).
In 1957, the car was acquired by David Gossage who dictated the car be converted to a sports car configuration prior to delivery. Obliging with the request, Mr. Richardson removed the grand prix-style body and installed the coachwork from the customer car chassis number DB3S/105. This bodywork was later damaged during a racing collision while owned by Greville Edwards. The car was returned to Richardson, who sourced new chassis tubes from Aston Martin and rebuilt the running gear with an alloy Salisbury differential, rear coil-sprung suspension, a Panhard rod, and four-wheel disc brakes.
John Jefferson owned it briefly before it was sold in 1973 to Ricky Bell, who built a new 3-liter Aston Martin engine with racing-specification twin-plug ignition and reverted the nose to the original factory configuration.
Passing through two additional British owners, the car was purchased in 1986 by an individual from Switzerland. In their care, the car was sent to Roos Engineering in Bern for modifications to its coachwork to modify the coachwork to more closely resemble the 1955 works racecars. It was given 'eyebrows' over the wheel arches and a midnight blue exterior paint scheme.
By 1997, the Aston Martin had been imported to the United States. A short time later, it was acquired by its current caretaker. Early in the ownership, the car was given a host of mechanical improvements including the installation of a freshly built DB3S-specification engine by Steel Wings in New Jersey.
After the work was completed, the car was enjoyed at various driving events, including the Monterey Historics, the Sprint Vintage Grand Prix in Ohio, and the 2006 Colorado Grand. The DB3S Special was also exhibited at the 2006 Palm Beach International Concours d'Elegance.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024
The DB3S was a highly evolved version of its predecessor, with modern and curvaceous coachwork, a lighter and more sophisticated chassis, and an even more potent engine. Before it was replaced by the DBR1, a total of 11 works cars and 20 customer cars were built.
This particular example is chassis number 131/DB135. It began life as Development Project 155, an experimental monoposto racecar aimed at contesting grand prix racing.
When Formula One was updated for the 1954 season with a 2,500-cubic-centimeter displacement limitation, Aston Martin's David Brown tasked his team with developing a 2.5-liter version of its 3-liter engine. It was given the codename 'Development Project 155 (DP155),' and the engine was installed into an unstamped DB3S chassis and mounted with monoposto coachwork. The project did not progress much further beyond this stage, and following testing, it was put on the 'back burner. Reg Parnell later persuaded management to let him campaign the car in the winter-scheduled Tasman Series in Australia and New Zealand.
After the 2.5-liter engine failed in practice, it was removed and replaced by a standard race-tuned 3-liter engine. In this guise, Parnell claimed two podium finishes during January 1956.
DP155 returned to England where team manager John Wyer sold it to Geoff Richardson. Hoping to improve the car's competitiveness, the engine was replaced with a Jaguar motor. It competed in a few races under the identity of the RRA Special (Richardson Racing Automobiles).
In 1957, the car was acquired by David Gossage who dictated the car be converted to a sports car configuration prior to delivery. Obliging with the request, Mr. Richardson removed the grand prix-style body and installed the coachwork from the customer car chassis number DB3S/105. This bodywork was later damaged during a racing collision while owned by Greville Edwards. The car was returned to Richardson, who sourced new chassis tubes from Aston Martin and rebuilt the running gear with an alloy Salisbury differential, rear coil-sprung suspension, a Panhard rod, and four-wheel disc brakes.
John Jefferson owned it briefly before it was sold in 1973 to Ricky Bell, who built a new 3-liter Aston Martin engine with racing-specification twin-plug ignition and reverted the nose to the original factory configuration.
Passing through two additional British owners, the car was purchased in 1986 by an individual from Switzerland. In their care, the car was sent to Roos Engineering in Bern for modifications to its coachwork to modify the coachwork to more closely resemble the 1955 works racecars. It was given 'eyebrows' over the wheel arches and a midnight blue exterior paint scheme.
By 1997, the Aston Martin had been imported to the United States. A short time later, it was acquired by its current caretaker. Early in the ownership, the car was given a host of mechanical improvements including the installation of a freshly built DB3S-specification engine by Steel Wings in New Jersey.
After the work was completed, the car was enjoyed at various driving events, including the Monterey Historics, the Sprint Vintage Grand Prix in Ohio, and the 2006 Colorado Grand. The DB3S Special was also exhibited at the 2006 Palm Beach International Concours d'Elegance.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,750,000-USD $2,250,000
Lot was not sold
Recent Sales of the Aston Martin DB3S
(Data based on Model Year 1956 sales)
Aston Martin DB3Ss That Failed To Sell At Auction
1956 Aston Martin DB3S's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 Aston Martin DB3S Special | 131/DB135 | 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $1,750,000 | $2,250,000 |
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1956 Aston Martin DB3S
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