Once you ask most automobile folks, even Aston Martin followers, the automobile that they determine as James Bond’s first Aston Martin, they virtually all the time say it’s the DB5 used within the movie Goldfinger. Whereas which may be appropriate for the movies, within the Ian Fleming books issues are a bit totally different. Whereas the ebook Goldfinger can be the primary time Bond would drive an Aston, it was not the DB5. When the ebook was printed in 1958 the DB5 didn’t even exist. As a substitute it the identical model as my Decide of the Day, a 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark III.
The Aston Mk III, as they’re identified by most Aston aficionados, is an fascinating transition automobile for the corporate that I imagine presents the perfect of every little thing. They’re the final automobile to make use of the Lagonda primarily based twin-cam 6-engine that was developed by none apart from W.O. Bentley. It is a legendary engine and was a fantastic design.
The physique of the Mk III was principally a modified model of the outdated 2/4 however modified in a manner that to me perfects the unique DB2/4 design. What they did was change the grill to the form initially used within the DB3 racecar which grew to become the identical grill form that each different Aston Martin automobile has used since. Folks appear to miss that the Mk III was the primary street going model to make use of this grill and that small change make the design someway look way more fashionable and stylish.
The Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, vendor providing this automobile describes it as a automobile that was delivered new in 1958 by the Aston Martin dealership in Pasadena, California. The customer owned the automobile till 1983 when he offered it to its second proprietor, who saved the automobile for greater than 39 years. In 2007 this Aston Mk III underwent an entire mechanical restoration totaling greater than $85,000 and fortunately nonetheless retains its authentic numbers-matching drivetrain, has all authentic physique panels, inside, and glass. The paintwork exhibits indicators of age by way of cracking and blemishes whereas the inside and glass are extraordinarily good.
The standard of the paint makes me surprise whether it is authentic to the automobile and one thing I’d ask the vendor if I used to be a purchaser. Whether it is authentic, this Aston Mk III could be a pleasant entry for the preservation class at an occasion like Pebble Seashore. It’s also a automobile that you would simply drive and never have to fret in regards to the stray stone chip or two you may purchase on excursions just like the Colorado Grand, a tour that this automobile could be good for.
Bond’s Mk III, in line with the ebook Goldfinger, was painted in a coloration referred to as Whisper Gray. This isn’t an actual manufacturing unit coloration, however this one is painted in Ivory and carries an Oxblood leather-based inside. To me that may simply be shut sufficient.
In case you had not figured it out but, I really like this particular automobile. If I’d not should promote a bunch of stuff that my spouse would object to me promoting, suppose loads of IRA cash, I’d have already purchased it and be on the telephone with Camille at Passport to rearrange delivery to me for decide up in Monterey in just a few weeks. Whereas not as elegant or as widespread because the DB5, the Bond connection is a giant deal to me. On prime of that the Mk III has extra headroom and inside area than every other DB Aston Martin, making it the right automobile for my 6’4″ peak. Sure the steering and dealing with can be a bit extra primitive than the DB4 and later automobiles, however it’s a very superior automobile for one constructed within the Nineteen Fifties and I’d not thoughts these minor drawbacks.
This 1958 DB 2/4 Mk III is being provided for a market appropriate value of $280,000, which is quite a bit lower than you would need to spend on a DB4 or 5. It’s even cheaper than a DB6, and in addition extra uncommon than any of the above automobiles being certainly one of solely 83 complete Mk III automobiles inbuilt left hand drive.
If you’re searching for a blue chip GT automobile and the DB4-6 are too costly, this automobile could be an ideal substitute. For me it might not be a substitute in any respect however a automobile I’d probably hold without end.
To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Decide of the Day.
