Lot 125: 1959 Aston Martin DB MkIII Drophead Coupé
Coachwork by Tickford

Recognising the need to widen the appeal of the already successful DB2, Aston Martin responded with the DB2/4, introducing its new four-seater model in October 1953. Extensive revisions to the car’s rear end arrangements made room for two occasional seats and more luggage, the latter being accessed via a hatchback rear door - one of this now-common feature’s earliest applications. In addition, a raised roofline, one-piece windscreen, larger bumpers and other detail styling changes differentiated the newcomer from its predecessor. Otherwise, the DB2/4 remained much the same as the DB2, employing the latter’s rectangular-tube chassis, trailing arm independent front suspension and well-located live rear axle. The 2.6-litre ‘six’ came in tuned (125bhp) Vantage specification as standard for the 2/4. Despite this, the redesign’s inevitable weight gain was not fully compensated for until the arrival of the 3-litre, 140bhp engine in 1954. The car’s top speed was now 118mph, with 60mph reached in around 11 seconds.

David Brown’s acquisition of Tickford Ltd in 1953 led to bodywork for the revised MkII model being manufactured by the Newport Pagnell coachbuilder. While mechanically very little different from its predecessor, the DB2/4 MkII was readily identifiable by its subtly altered lines, the most significant change being 19mm increase in roof height that afforded greater headroom.

Two years after the introduction of the DB2/4 MkII came the DB MkIII - the ‘2/4’ suffix being dropped - 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, this restyled nose giving 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 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. 162bhp was available with the single-pipe exhaust system, 178bhp with the optional twin-pipe version. Elsewhere there were improvements to both clutch and gearbox; Laycock overdrive became available and front disc brakes were standard rather than optional after the first 100 cars had been built. Despite the inevitable weight increase, the MkIII was faster than any of its predecessors with a top speed of 120mph.

One of only 84 DB MkIII drophead coupés built, right-hand drive chassis number ‘1808’ is a desirable overdrive transmission model fitted with front disc brakes. Delivered new to Ross Bros Ltd, the car was purchased from its second owner in 1966 by a Mr Milton, as recorded in the accompanying original logbook, and remained in the ownership of the Milton family in the UK from 1966 to 2005. The car’s history is contained in three notebooks written by Mr Milton, which record all the works done on the car, technical drawings and details of its restoration. The latter was carried out in the mid-1990s and involved the incorporation of improvements including a high-lift camshaft, competition springs, anti-corrosion treatment and a twin-pipe, stainless-steel exhaust system. Restoration pictures and some invoices are on file. ‘1808’ was bought from the Milton family in England by the current (Greek) owner in 2005 from a very important Greek collection of roadsters from the 1950's and 1960's. It is now registered in Greece. Finished in blue with grey interior, the car is offered with the aforementioned documentation, an original workshop manual and Greek registration papers (IO1659).




Un des rares 84 cabriolets DB MkIII construits, ce châssis n° 1808 à conduite à droite est un désirable modèle équipé d’un overdrive et de freins avant à disque. Livrée neuve à Ross Bros Ltd., cette voiture a été achetée à son deuxième propriétaire en 1966 par M. Milton ainsi qu’il en est fait mention dans le titre de propriété original joint et elle est restée dans la famille Milton au Royaume-Uni de 1966 à 2005. L’historique de la voiture figure dans trois carnets tenus par M. Milton qui a gardé la trace de tous les travaux effectués, les dessins techniques et les détails de sa restauration. Cette dernière, effectuée au milieu des années 1990, a entraîné des améliorations telles que des arbres à cames à grande levée, des ressorts compétition, un traitement anti-corrosion et un système d’échappement en inox à double sortie. Le dossier comprend des photos des travaux de restauration ainsi que des factures. « 1808 » fut achetée en 2005 à la famille Milton en Angleterre par l' actuel propriétaire (un collectioneur grec bien connu, amateur de cabriolets des années 60). Peinte en bleu avec un intérieur gris, la voiture est offerte avec la documentation mentionnée précédemment, un manuel d’atelier original et des papiers d’immatriculation grecs (IO1659).