1970 Aston Martin DBS 6 Vantage

Unveiled in October 1967, the DBS was the successor to the famed Aston Martin DB6, although the two ran concurrently for three years. Designed in-house by William Towns, the aluminium-bodied four-seater had a sharper appearance than the curvaceous DB6 but still exuded similar road presence.

Longer, wider and more luxurious than the DB6, the DBS employed a platform-type chassis with independent suspension all round and offered a near perfect 50:50 weight distribution with better high-speed stability.

Originally designed to accept an all-new V8 engine that had recently surfaced in racing Lolas that year, the V8 unit was not ready in time for the car's launch, so it was fitted with the legendary, Tadek Marek-designed, 4.0-litre, DB6 engine instead. This twin-cam engine was available in standard or Vantage tune - the latter producing 325bhp at 5,750rpm with triple Webers and hotter cams.

In its road test of a DBS Vantage, Motor recorded 141mph with 0-60 and 0-l00mph reached in 7.1 and 18.0 seconds respectively. Production of the DBS stretched between September 1967 and April 1972 during which time only 68 RHD Vantage examples were produced, making the DBS 6 Vantage the lowest production Vantage model of all Aston Martins. Continuing Aston's famed 007 connections, the DBS was used by George Lazenby's James Bond in the 1969 film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service'.

A factory build sheet confirms that this genuine matching numbers DBS Vantage was delivered new to Dorking, Surrey with the registration D111 and the factory guarantee was issued on 14th October 1970. Finished in the very same original Olive Green as used by James Bond, and with complete factory Fawn interior, this car is presented in very original condition.

The matching numbers, Vantage engine is reported to run very well, demonstrating good compressions and performance. A recent specialist service included installation of a new'Luminition' ignition system, brake service, carb rebuild and full dyno-tuning on the rolling road.

DBS values have been overshadowed by DB4/5/6 prices of late, however, many believe this understated little brother is long overdue an increase in both demand and value. The car is supported by two exemplary history files, containing chronologically filed service history dating back to the 1980s, a full list of past ownership correspondence and registration documents, owner's manuals, past MoTs and the original build data.