A rare and spectacular 1955 Aston Martin DB3S Sports Racing Car, chassis DB3S/118, is the latest multi-million-dollar entry to join RM’s highly anticipated Monterey sale, August 17–18 in California. Noteworthy for its outstanding provenance, rarity, and trendsetting Aston Martin design, the DB3S is widely considered one of the most attractive and elegantly designed sports racing cars of the post war period—a masterpiece of David Brown’s vision, executed stunningly in aluminum from the characteristic “humped oval” grille to the classic cut-away front fenders. Unveiled today in RM’s digital Monterey catalogue (now online at www.rmauctions.com), it joins a superlative roster of investment-quality automobiles […]
A rare and spectacular 1955 Aston Martin DB3S Sports Racing Car, chassis DB3S/118, is the latest multi-million-dollar entry to join RM’s highly anticipated Monterey sale, August 17–18 in California.
Noteworthy for its outstanding provenance, rarity, and trendsetting Aston Martin design, the DB3S is widely considered one of the most attractive and elegantly designed sports racing cars of the post war period—a masterpiece of David Brown’s vision, executed stunningly in aluminum from the characteristic “humped oval” grille to the classic cut-away front fenders. Unveiled today in RM’s digital Monterey catalogue (now online at www.rmauctions.com), it joins a superlative roster of investment-quality automobiles set to cross the podium at the Portola Hotel & Plaza and Monterey Conference Center next month.
“Enthusiasts at Monterey in August consistently look for the finest sports racing cars with which to participate in events around the world, from the Historics at Laguna Seca to the Mille Miglia,” says Rob Myers, Chairman & Founder, RM Auctions. “We are thrilled to be offering this superb DB3S at our sale this year on behalf of its gentleman owner. A fantastic car with great history, it reflects our commitment to offering our clients the world’s finest motor cars.”
Ordered new by Dutch gentleman racer, Hans Davids, and appropriately finished in the distinctive national racing livery of “Dutch Racing Orange,” the striking 1955 Aston Martin DB3S Sports Racing Car, chassis DB3S/118, boasts outstanding provenance from new. One of just 21 “customer cars” produced for privateer competition, significantly, 118 was fitted with the Works competition twin-plug head by the factory in its first year. Piloted by Davids, it finished on the podium at Goodwood in April 1956 before tackling some of Europe’s most challenging circuits. Among its greatest successes were two victories at Davids’ native track in Zandvoort. Davids eventually sold 118 to Paul Hyatt, a captain in the U.S. Merchant Navy, who imported the car to the United States where it continued its strong racing record before passing through a series of other distinguished caretakers, including two well-known Aston collectors who carefully maintained the car for 48 years. Today, widely regarded as one of the most correct and original Aston Martin sports racers, 118 retains its original chassis, numbered engine, and bodywork. Fully documented and with known ownership from new, it offers its next owner the unique opportunity to be a part of Aston’s remarkable racing legacy and to participate with 118 at events around the world. (Est. $3,500,000–$4,000,000).
“Aston made very few sports racers in their storied history, with a mere 21 DB3S models available to privateers. DB3S/118 is among the best of the examples extant, with a fully documented race and ownership history and a factory engine upgrade to the ‘Works competition’ twin-plug head specification in its first year and which is still retains today,” adds Don Rose, RM Car Specialist. “An important and fascinating car, you will not see another one in its brilliant orange Dutch national racing livery, as it was when it took first place at its native Zandvoort circuit two years running.”
The historic DB3S will be surrounded by a magnificent group of other important Aston Martins at RM’s upcoming Monterey sale, including:
– a remarkably original, race bred 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT, chassis number DB4GT/0104/L, the fourth DB4GT produced and just two owners from new, the last of which owned the car from 1967 through until 2012 (Est. $1,500,000–$1,900,000);
– a concours-quality restored 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Volante, chassis number DBVC/3635/R, one of only 140 Volante (convertible) DB6s built (Est. $850,000–$1,100,000);
– a matching numbers 1962 Aston Martin DB4, chassis number DB4/794/L, stunning in Deep Claret with Terra Cotta upholstery, and the recent beneficiary of a ground-up restoration by marque specialists (Est. $475,000–$550,000); and,
– a historically significant 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Coupe, chassis number LML/50/13, the 13th DB2 produced and part of Briggs Cunningham’s 1950 three-car entry at Sebring (Est. $375,000–$475,000; offered without reserve).
“As a group, these five automobiles represent the finest, most important offering of Aston Martins available anywhere in the world today. Collectively, they are representative of the growing interest in the famous British marque which most effectively challenged Italy’s dominant prancing horse,” Rose adds.
A tradition spanning over 25 years, RM’s highly anticipated Monterey, California sale, held during the same weekend as the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, returns to the Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Conference Center, August 17–18. In 2011, RM once again achieved the highest results of the Monterey week, generating more than $80 million in sales, the highest auction tally ever achieved on the Monterey Peninsula. For further information on the 2012 sale, including a full list of entries and RM’s digital Monterey catalogue, please visit www.rmauctions.com.
