Aston Martin DB Mark III

Aston Martin DB Mark III

1957 Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mark III
Herranderssvensson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Manufacturer	Aston Martin
Production	1957–1959 551 produced
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2+2 hatchback 2-seat coupé 2-seat drophead
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2.6 L Lagonda I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	99.0 in (2515 mm)
Length	172 in (4369 mm)
Width	65 in (1651 mm)
Height	53.5 in (1359 mm)
Curb weight	3,000 lb (1,361 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk II
Successor	Aston Martin DB4

Aston Martin DB Mark III

The DB 2/4 Mark III (normally simply called DB Mark III, even at the time of its introduction) is a sports car sold by Aston Martin from 1957 until 1959. It was an evolution of the DB2/4 Mark II model it replaced, using an evolution of that car's W.O. Bentley-designed 2.9 L (2922 cc/178 in³) Lagonda straight-6 engine, redesigned by Tadek Marek.

Overview

Changes included the front grille, that would become the shape of all future Aston Martin models (designed by John Turner (17 at the time)), a new instrument panel, and available Girling disc brakes. The hydraulically operated clutch was new as well, and an optional Laycock-de Normanville overdrive that was attached to the standard four-speed gearbox after the first 100 cars or even an automatic transmission were available. Worm-and-sector steering and a live axle rear end were carryovers. At the rear, the DB2/4 Mark II's tailfins (after the earliest few cars) were altered to use the rear lights from the Humber Hawk.

The standard DBA engine model with twin SU carburettors produced 162 hp (121 kW), though an optional dual-exhaust system raised this to a reputed 178 hp (133 kW). Thus equipped, the car could reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 9.3 seconds and hit 120 mph (193 km/h). An optional high-output DBB engine with three twin-choke Weber 35 DCO 3 carburettors, special long duration camshafts, high compression 8.6:1 pistons and the dual-exhaust system boasted 195 hp (145 kW), though this was rarer (10 cars were thus equipped) than the mid-level DBD option with triple SU 1.75" carbs and 180 hp (134 kW) also with the dual exhaust system, fitted to 47 cars.

The DB Mark III featured a hatchback body first seen on the DB2-4. Theodulf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

One car was fitted with the special DBC competition engine with a reputed 214 b.h.p., this was fitted with racing camshafts, special connecting rods, very high compression pistons (possibly 9.5:1) & three twin-choke Weber 45 DCO 3 carburettors.

Girling disc brakes were fitted as standard to the front wheels of all Mark III Astons after the first 100 had been made. Many cars were upgraded later. Only five automatic cars were made from a total of 551.

A 1959 review by Road & Track magazine praised the car for everything but its $7,450 price. "A car for connoisseurs," they called it. "The Aston has many virtues and few faults." Among the faults was too-heavy steering effort, high door sills, and a stiff ride. Road & Track failed to comment at all on the car's innovative hatchback body style, complete with fold-down rear seats, although this had been first introduced in the 2/4 MkI in 1953.

The useful hatch's struts and springs are visible from inside. Stephen Foskett (Wikipedia User: sfoskett), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Coupé, convertible

Along with the hatchback, two two-seater coupé variants of the Mark III were also produced. A "drophead coupé" convertible, while not common, still considerably outnumbers the "fixed head coupé" – 84 of the former were produced, while just five of the latter were built. All five Fixed Head Coupés were built close to the end of Mark III production and feature the mid-spec DBD engine.^[1] Both of these bodystyles feature conventional hinged boot lids rather than the innovative hatch back.

1959 DB 2/4 Mark III Drophead Coupé with the DBD engine. Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

James Bond

James Bond drives an Aston Martin DB Mark III in the novel version of Goldfinger, though it is referred to as a "DB III" in the book – the chapter in which he drives to his famous golf-course encounter with the villain is entitled 'Thoughts in a DB III'. It is the only Bond car in the Ian Fleming novels to have gadgets installed. For the film adaptation five years later, the car was updated to the Aston Martin DB5 model and the array of gadgetry was much expanded. It was to become one of the most iconic of classic cars as a result.

Production

DB Mark III: 551
- Hatchback: 462
- Drophead Coupé: 84
  - DBA: 68
  - DBB: 2
  - DBD: 14
- Fixed Head Coupé: 5

Die-Cast models

The DB Mk III was included in the Spot-on range in the early 1960s.

Oxford Die-Cast have issued models of both the hatchback and the drophead.

Spark Models have issued 1/43 models of the drophead, labelled "DB2/4 Cabriolet 1959".

Comments

Aston Martin Lagonda road car timeline, 1948–present.

Type	1940s		1950s										1960s										1970s										1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s										2020s
	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1
Owner	David Brown																								William Wilson			Minden & Sprague						Victor Gauntlett et al.											Ford															Independent consortium
City Car																																																																Cygnet
Luxury Car																																																														Rapide
		2.6 ltr				3 ltr								Rapide													Lagonda																																									Taraf
Grand Tourer											DB4					DB5 & Volante				DBS & Vantage										V8 Vantage																V8 Vantage												Vantage													Vantage
	DB1		DB2			DB2/4 & MKIII												DB6																													DB7										DB9 & V12 Virage												DB11
																						DBS V8 & AM V8																				V8 Virage							V8					Vanquish						DBS V12					Vanquish						DBS Superleggera
Limited Production																																																															One-77					Vulcan						Victor
													DB4 Zagato																										V8 Zagato																DB7 Zagato		DB AR1							V12 Zagato		DBS/DB9/Virage Zagato				Vanquish Zagato		DBS GT Zagato	Valkyrie
																																																																									Valhalla
Sports prototype																																																																									V12 Speedster
SUV																																																																									DBX
Concept Car	Atom Bulldog Vignale CC100 DP-100 DB10 Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2
Colour code	Aston Martin badge Lagonda badge

Aston Martin DB Mark III