1959 Aston Martin DB

The Aston Martin DB Mk III was a two-door, front engine, rear-wheel-drive 2+2 grand tourer available in three-door coupe, two-door convertible and two-door coupe forms. It was built from 1957 to 1959.

The Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mk III – although it was almost always known as the ‘Mk III’ – was launched in at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show. Its body was still based on a rectangular tube chassis but as compared with the older model, the Mk III had a hydraulic clutch while a new radiator grille resembled that of the DB3S. Inside, there was a new fascia while the engine now had a new block, exhaust, timing chain and a stiffer crankshaft.

The suspension for the DB Mk III consisted of independent coil springs with Armstong lever dampers at the front and a rear live axle with coil springs, Armstrong dampers and a Panhard rod. The steering was via worm and sector and drum brakes were originally fitted all round, although the optional servo-assisted front discs were standardised after the first 100 cars; a first for Aston Martin. Extras included a dual exhaust system for enhanced performance - 178bhp and 0 to 60mph in circa 9.3 seconds - a close-ratio gearbox and overdrive.

The DB Mk III was available in various levels of tune, from the standard DBA to the 195bhp DBB of 1958 - special camshafts and high compression pistons - and the intermediate 180bhp DBD. There was also the very exclusive race-tuned 214bhp DBC for competition work. The DBA engine outsold the DBD (47 cars), the DBB (ten cars) and the very rare DBC.

1959 saw automatic transmission become available, although only five Mk IIIs were so-equipped. Towards the conclusion of production, Aston Martin built five Mk III fixed-head coupes, all powered by the DBD engine. The last Mk III was made in July 1959.

The Aston Martin DB Mk III 2,922 cc DOHC S6 engine was variously fitted with twin SU carburettors (DBA), triple SUs (DBD) and three Weber carbs (DBC and DBD). The transmission was a four-speed manual box with synchromesh on the top three gears. Laycock-de Normanville overdrive and three-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmissions were also available.

The Aston Martin DB Mk III is a car of impeccable race pedigree – its victories culminated in victory at the 1959 World Sports Car Championship in 1959 – and many cognoscenti regard it as the company’s finest car of the 1950s. Roy Salvadori thought that the DB Mk III was a ‘sports car that fulfils its purpose to perfection and it is equally suited to the motorway, to the circuit and to narrow twisting roads. Its lines set the template for a future generation of Aston Martins.

The DB Mk III’s bonnet, sills, hinges and front suspension turrets should be inspected for corrosion while the engines are prone to overheating and low oil pressure. Some companies can be invaluable spruces of help, although a replacement sump can be difficult to find and timing gears to peculiar to the DB Mk III can be challenging to source.

Aston Martin DB Mk III alternatives include the Bristol 406 Zagato, the Jaguar XK150, and the Jensen 541R.