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
There were 3 cars in there with a top speed of 170mph:
Aston Martin DBS, Ferrari GTB 375 Daytona, Mercedes Benz C111
I seem to remember they had a fair few problems with the Bosch mechanical fuel injection system, though that has been rebuilt in this car.
A few brave pills needed, but I would truly donate body parts to be able to own that car!
A sign of stupid old car prices but £180k sounds good value!
Years later, around 1998 a garage proprietor I knew, knowing I was soft on Astons, was showing me around an Oscar India V8 he'd been tasked with re-commissoning. Despite the sleek profile, the floor of the car was about 10 inches above the road, the carpet was peeled back with an inspection cover removed to access a brake cylinder - much as you would expect in a post-war truck. There were many other 'hand-made' features: The 'aluminium' door, I am sure, was made from new using a cut-and-shut Cortina door carcass with an aluminium skin stretched over.
I was cured and have never looked at them with the same lust since.
DBS is still a pretty car though - from the outside...
I have just brought this one back to life ( with the help of RS Williams ). The first ever RHD V8 Fliptail produced and Aston Martin demonstrator at the time. After 22 years of the road it is back.
Torque (lb ft): 288@3,850rpm
Not wishing to be pedantic but the above can't be true... for the engine to make 330 bhp at 5000rpm the engine would have to be making 346 lb/ft at these revs (well above the peak of 288 @3850!). I would suspect that the power and torque numbers for this engine are the other way around... or perhaps Aston never ever quoted any output stats for the engine so this is all guesswork! Wikipedia doesn't appear to have a consistent answer...
I have owned the car for four years 2014-2018, it was not always an easy relationship. The most trick part is the complex Bosch mechanical fuel injection pump. Fortunately there is an expert (Hovri) here in the Netherlands, and after lots of tinkering and tuning we got it right in 2018. Other notable items are the clutch, now smooth and with a new hydraulic system, new tyres (love those Avon CR6ZZ), many new hoses (original 1960s labeled ones in the trunk) and countless small and large matters. Steering wheel! is alloy/steel clickedtogether wobbly unsafe; it broke.. now a new all-steel completely original design (600gbp..). All invoices and stories are with the car. Happy driving to the new owner, drop me a line if you want information!
One of the few cars in my collection that I was unable to floor throttle off from standing still..
Henk
Torque (lb ft): 288@3,850rpm
Not wishing to be pedantic but the above can't be true... for the engine to make 330 bhp at 5000rpm the engine would have to be making 346 lb/ft at these revs (well above the peak of 288 @3850!). I would suspect that the power and torque numbers for this engine are the other way around... or perhaps Aston never ever quoted any output stats for the engine so this is all guesswork! Wikipedia doesn't appear to have a consistent answer...
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