|
The final development of the Claude Hill
chassis (as first seen in the Atom) appeared in the form of the Mark III
(the 2/4 bit was dropped). The most noticeable change was the adoption of
a DB3S style grille and a revised instrument binnacle (which echoed the
style of the grill). The Mark III was also the first Aston Martin to be
available with front disc brakes as standard during the production run.
Also the engine had been substantially redesigned by Tadek Marek before he
started work on the DB4 engine.

The standard 3 litre (2922cc, twin SU
carbs) engine fitted to the Mark III was designated as the DBA version and
produced 162 bhp @5500 rpm although with the fitting of optional twin
exhausts, this could be raised to possibly 178 bhp. A special series
engine using three twin choke Webers, twin exhausts and special camshafts,
called the DBB version was able to produce 195 bhp. Just to add more
choice, a DBD version was also available with three SU carbs and producing
180 bhp.
This was the first production DB Mark
III and was owned by David Brown himself. This particular car and the
first examples of the DB Mark III have the rear wings and lights as seen
on the Mark II. Most cars had a different design of rear wings which was
altered to take the Humber Hawk rear light cluster, a feature which
carried through to the first three series of the DB4.

Without doubt, the DB Mark III is the
best looking car of the DB2 line. The style of the sculptured single piece
bonnet can be followed through to the V8.
Production of the Mark III lasted just a
shade over two years and actually overlapped the DB4 by seven months.
Production of all variants during this time was 551 cars.
You would not be surprised to find out
that the Mark III was the heaviest of the Feltham Cars and indeed it is by
about 160kg. But as it is also the most powerful of the line, the extra
weight is more than cancelled out and thus the Mark III is a popular
racecar. But during the mid to late 1950's AML were using the DBR1 in
sportscar racing; the Mark III was never raced by the factory.
|