The final iteration of the Aston Martin DB2 came in 1957 after 7 years of production, with many improvements over the original it was labelled the DB MKIII, the best road car Aston Martin had produced so far! This car was a big step forward from the DB2 with major enhancements to performance and styling. The addition of front disc brakes improved the cars stopping power and the new version of the engine, renamed as the DBA series, now produced 162bhp in its standard form compared to the 105bhp of the original. It was also offered in 180bhp and 214bhp versions for those who wanted something more exotic! The biggest difference came in the styling with a re-designed front end to reflect the DB3S racing car, a beautiful design which was echoed inside with the new instrument binnacle following the shape of the nose intake. The DB MKIII was produced from March 1957 until July 1959 with only some 400 saloon versions being made, making this a rare car indeed!
Delivered new in February 1958 to a Mr Thomas Mitchell of The Old Bailey, London, this DBMKIII left the factory in Elusive Blue with Blue Grey Connolly, Tickford body, rear Alfin Drums, front disc brakes and overdrive. It returned to Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell just 2 months later to have the lively addition of the factory twin exhaust which gave it a significant power increase. Aston Works saw the car on a regular basis for servicing and maintenance over the following years with its last recorded visit towards the end of 1968. Subsequent owners are recorded as Commander Hallett R.N. of HMS Drake, Devonport and Mr Mills from Welwyn Garden city before the Aston came into the hands of Thomas Bradfield, Chalfont St Giles in 1986. Mr Bradfield had some maintenance carried out by Aston Service Dorset before parting company with the MKIII in 1989 when it became the property of Mr Stephenson in West Sussex. Although he used the car sparingly Mr Stephenson did have it regularly maintained and Mot’d before selling it to Mr Wiggins in Wellington, Somerset in 2000. In 2003 Wiggins had the engine re-built with unleaded conversion and Cosworth pistons, suspension re-build, brakes and axle re-build, all to a fast road/competition spec along with chassis work and many other improvements by Racing Technologies in London. The MK3 was then regularly maintained and improved over his years of ownership by Wren Classics in Dorset. The MKIII was then purchased in 2020 by Runnymede Motor Co who had the car completely re-sprayed and re-trimmed before selling it to the current owner in 2022. The current keeper has since had the opportunity, with the help of Desmond J Smail, to be re-united with a DB6 MK2 which he had previously owned many years before, hence the reason for parting company with the MKIII. This fully restored Aston Martin DBMKIII presents and drives beautifully and comes with a comprehensive history.