Chassis Number: AM30031362
Two years after the introduction of the DB2/4 Mark II came the DB Mark III, 551 of which, mainly saloons, were made between March 1957 and July 1959. Externally, the most obvious change was the adoption of a DB3S-style grille, establishing the “hallmark” look of subsequent Aston Martins, which had been drawn up by Tickford designer Bert Thickpenny. This restyled nose gives the car a more-imposing look, while the interior boasted a redesigned dashboard with instruments grouped in a cowled panel ahead of the driver.
The 2.9-liter DBA engine benefited from an extensive redesign by Tadek Marek (newly arrived from Austin) and featured, among other improvements, a stiffer block, stronger crankshaft and a new cylinder head with bigger valves. With the single-pipe exhaust system, 162 horsepower was available; with the optional twin-pipe version, 178. Elsewhere there were improvements to both clutch and gearbox; Laycock overdrive became available, and front disc brakes were standard rather than optional commencing at chassis 1401. Despite the inevitable weight increase, the Mark III was faster than any of its predecessors, with a top speed of 120 mph (193 km/h).
Its accompanying BMIHT factory record copy reveals that left-hand-drive chassis number 1362 was dispatched new on September 16, 1957, to the Peter Santori Company Ltd. in California. The original color scheme was Broken White with black leather trim, and the car was delivered equipped with twin SU HV6 carburetors, Alfin brake drums and Armstrong shock absorbers. The Aston’s subsequent history in the U.S. is not known. In 2005 it was recorded as in France, and since then has had two owners in Portugal.
Those two Portuguese owners restored the car — the first undertaking the major works to the body, engine, interior, gearbox, exhaust, brakes, suspension, paintwork, etc., while the second detailed the car to make it suitable for concours. At the 2017 Cascais Classic Motor Show, the Aston placed second in the concours. This stunning matching-numbers engine and chassis is offered with a Portuguese registration document, a Portuguese Certificado de Automóvel Antigo valid until 2029, and the aforementioned BMIHT certificate.
