1968 Aston Martin DBS

The late 1960s and early 1970s brought about several dramatic changes throughout the automotive landscape, as the industry reacted to the fuel crisis and oil embargo, along with increasing safety and emission standards on the all-important North American market. Aston Martin had been rescued by Company Developments Ltd. in 1972, which, after a valiant attempt at building cars, found itself once again in jeopardy in late 1973 under the weight of a shaky world economy that had evaporated the market for expensive fuel guzzlers.

Aston Martin's grand tourer built during the second half of the 1960s was the DB6, produced from 1965 to January of 1971. It came equipped with a Tadek Marek-designed inline six-cylinder, twin-overhead camshaft (DOHC), 3,995cc engine offering 282 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. In Vantage specification, output rose to 325 bhp. Compared to its predecessor, the DB5, it had better luggage capacity and comforts expected of a modern grand tourer.

The Aston Martin DBS was introduced in 1967 as a successor to the DB6 and remained in production through 1972 with 787 examples built. Although it succeeded the DB6, both models were built concurrently for three years. The DBS was a larger coupe than the DB6, with four full-sized seats, a wheelbase of 102.8 inches, and a length of 180.3-inches (compared to 101.5-in and 182-inch of the DB6 respectively).

The larger size of the DBS compared to its DB6-sibling was intended to accommodate a new Tadek Marek-designed V8 engine, but it was not ready in time. Instead, the DBS models arrived powered by the 4.0-liter 'six' of the concurrently produced DB6. It was a tried-and-true engine that in standard tune offered 282 horsepower. In Vantage specification with triple Weber 45DCOE carburetors, special camshafts and a higher compression ratio, output rose to 325 bhp.

The styling was performed in-house by Bill Towns and the aluminum-bodied four-seater had a sharper, more Italian-inspired appearance than the curvaceous DB6. Its shapely exterior rested on a platform-type chassis with independent suspension all round: wishbone and coil-spring at the front, De Dion with Watts linkage at the rear. The interior was more luxuriously appointed than the DB6, which increased the vehicle's overall weight and slightly reduced its performance. The top speed remained impressive, however, with the Vantage version capable of 140 mph and a standing quarter-mile time of 16.3 seconds.

The DBS was lesser known than the earlier 'DB' series, yet it is 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.

by Dan Vaughan

Fastback Coupe
Chassis number: DBS/5200/LAC
Engine number: 400/3823/S

The Aston Martin DBS was introduced in 1967 and was the successor to the DB6. It had a new and modern appearance and received its styling in-house by William 'Bill' Towns. The all-new model also veered from Aston Martin tradition by not adding a number to the 'DB' prefix.

The DBS was wider and had a lower profile than its predecessor. The wheelbase was enlarged by an inch and the track width grew by five inches. The body width was also six inches larger. Its appearance was more aggressive looking and allowed more interior room for its passengers. The engine sat farther back in the chassis, behind the front axle, resulting in an almost 50/50 weight ratio. Using a de Dion rear axle, the DBS exhibited excellent handling characteristics. Much of the running gear and chassis were shared with the prior DB6. The weighed was considerably more than its predecessor.

Powering the DBS was a dual-overhead-camshaft six-cylinder engine with an aluminum alloy block and head. It offered 282 horsepower and was mated to a ZF five-speed manual gearbox. A Borg-Warner automatic was available as was an option Vantage engine rated at 325 horsepower. An AE-Brico fuel injection system was available as optional equipment. Due to its unreliable performance, very few engines were fitted with this feature.

The interior was luxurious with Connolly hides. James Bond used a DBS as his motorcar of choice in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and again in the next Bond film Diamonds are Forever

Chassis no. DBS/5200/LAC

This car was built in December of 1968 and is a left-hand drive example fitted with the 5-speed ZF manual transmission. It has air conditioning, power steering, two lap belts, dual Fiamm horns, Avon tires and a Bosch New Yorker radio. It was finished in Midnight Blue over a dark blue interior, and destined for the US market.

Delivered new to Blalack Wells Associates, a San Marino, California based dealer, the car is believed to have remained in California all its life. It was acquired by Long Beach resident Peter Allan in the mid-1980s and remained in his ownership until purchased by the current owner. The car has received restoration work over the years, including an engine rebuild and replacement of the clutch. It was given a full cosmetic refurbishment, including new seat upholstery and a bare metal repaint in single stage lacquer.

The car has been shown at several shows including the Dana Point and Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance events.

by Dan Vaughan

Fastback Coupe
Chassis number: DBS/5100/LAC
Engine number: 400/3796/S

This 1968 Aston Martin DBS Saloon was ordered new by Frank Zurn and finished in Platinum over Blue Connolly hides. it had an air conditioning system, a Bosch New Yorker radio, front seat lap belts, and power-assisted steering. Its 3,995cc, DOHC Vantage 6-cylinder engine had 3 Dual-Throat Weber carburetors and delivered 282 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. It has a three-speed BorgWarner automatic transmission, an independent suspension system, and four-wheel disc brakes.

The William Towns-designed DBS began production in 1967, the same time the DB6 was being produced. The DBS featured a four-headlamp grille and a square design. It was only available in Saloon form.

This 2 door, 4-seater began life with the same engine used in the DB6. A new V8 engine was supposed to power the vehicle, but it was not ready at the vehicle's launch.

The DBS did not achieve outstanding performance figures because of the weight of the vehicle. The six-cylinder DB6 engine could take the DBS to a top speed of 140 mph, and go from zero-to-sixty in 7 seconds. Only 860 examples of the DBS with the six-cylinder engine were produced.

The V8 became available in 1969 and was dubbed the DBS V8 Series 1. The engine was a new twin-cam V8 that was capable of producing almost 350 horsepower. This increased the DBS's top speed to 160 mph, an amazing feat considering the weight of the car.

The wire wheels that had adorned the early DBS were replaced with cast aluminum. The automatic transmission was standard but a manual gearbox was available.

In all, 405 examples of the V8 version were produced from 1969 through 1972.

by Dan Vaughan

Unveiled at Blenheim Palace on September 25, 1967, the William Towns-designed DBS was originally only intended for limited production.

In its original guise the DBS retained the six-cylinder, 3,995 cc engine employed in the DB6. However, after an announcement on 27 September, 1969 the DBS was also made available with a V8 engine, with the car being known as the DBSV8 – a four-seat grand touring car, capable of 160 mph.

Besides the engine differences, notable visual differences between the two variants included, on the DBSV8, the use of specially designed 15'' light weight alloy wheels with ventilated brake discs for the first time on an Aston Martin production car (as opposed to the distinctive wire wheels employed on the DBS).

A distinguishing feature of both the DBS and DBSV8 are the four quartz iodine headlights set into an alternative version of the iconic Aston Martin grille.

The DBS and the DBSV8 were produced concurrently until May 1972.

by Aston Martin