Aston Martin DBS Prototype: Spotted

The new DBS has made its debut, but for £45,000 less you could have the car which helped start it all...

You're likely already aware, but in case you've been under a rock, watching the football, or just otherwise engaged, the automotive world's main topic of conversation over the past 24 hours has been the leak and subsequent launching of the new Aston Martin DBS.

The 725hp 5.2-litre V12 of that car propelling it from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds and, its maker hopes, directly into contention with the likes of Ferrari's 812 Superfast. It's a new flagship for a new era of Aston Martin production, which is likely why the DBS designation was chosen over the continued use of the Vanquish name.

The DBS, you see, has previous when it comes to game-changing Astons - and this is where it all began. Back in 1967, the all-new DBS was released as a replacement for the DB6. It's design was much more modern, with angular styling and more room for passengers, but it was left to make use of the same 4.0-litre straight-six engine as its predecessor. That situation didn't last for long, though, and in 1968 work began on bringing the entirety of the model up to speed.

For the first time, Aston Martin offered a V8 engine in one of its cars, specifically a 5.4-litre, 330hp V8. For safer high speed driving, lightweight alloy wheels replaced the dated wire items on the previous car, while ventilated disc brakes kept the extra power in check; a good thing given that at launch the V8 DBS became the fastest four-seater production car in the world. Today's Spotted is the precursor to all that, being as it is one of the prototypes on which all future versions were based.

As just the second production six-cylinder DBS, it was already a significant example of the model, but as a V8 prototype its place in Aston Martin's history is assured. Originally fitted with a Le Mans derived 5.0-litre V8, that engine was replaced by the more reliable 5.3-litre engine which eventually made the production car, and which remains in it to this day. It does bear some signs of its special status, though, such as the additional vents towards the front of the bonnet.

With testing complete the car passed into public ownership - a circumstance which is hard to imagine today - and passed through several keepers over the years. It has recently undergone a major service which included the rebuilding of the fuel tank and fuel-injection system, as well as a renewal of the clutch, and seems to be in fantastic condition. That'll be good news for its next owner then, who'll have to pay considerably more than the £4,900 which the car once sold for at auction. Given the current state of the classic car market, however, and the direction of the company's Second Century output, even at its £180,000 asking price this DBS seems reasonably priced. It is, after all, a fantastic piece of Aston Martin's First Century.

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SPECIFICATION: ASTON MARTIN DBS PROTOTYPE

Engine: 5,340cc V8
Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 330@5,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 288@3,850rpm
MPG: Little
CO2: Lots
Year registered: 1968
Recorded miles: 50,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £179,990

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dinkel

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