In its maiden season, the DB3S accelerated Aston Martin’s rise as a highly competitive Works outfit during a golden era of sportscar racing. Based on the earlier DB3—noted to be heavy and struggling against rival cars such as the Jaguar C-Type—the DB3S was a transformation overseen by Willie Watson, who enhanced Professor Robert Eberan von Eberhorst’s initial blueprint. Redesigned with a shorter chassis, the sportscar was lighter and more agile as a result, all the while wearing timeless bodywork styled by Frank Feeley.

Aston Martin built 10 examples to serve the Works squad, with one additional DB3S built to team specification in 1957 but not raced by the factory. The likes of Peter Collins, Reg Parnell, and Roy Salvadori quickly found success from behind the wheel of the factory-campaigned DB3Ss, as the car began competitive action in May 1953. The three cars entered into the 24 Hours of Le Mans succumbed to a lack of testing time but just days after, Parnell roared back with 1st place in the British Empire Trophy followed by winning the Charterhall International. Meanwhile, team 1-2s ensued in the 9 Hours of Goodwood (Parnell and Eric Thompson in 1st; Collins with Pat Griffith scoring 2nd) and the RAC Tourist Trophy race at Dundrod in the sixth round of the inaugural World Sportscar Championship (Collins and Griffith in 1st; Parnell and Thompson placing 2nd).

To follow the competitive success of the DB3S, some 20 further examples were commissioned for purchase by privateer race teams—or simply for sportscar enthusiasts seeking a nimble roadster that could be driven on the public highway. The customer-specification builds stayed true to form of the Works cars, notably punctuated by the achingly pretty bodywork styled by Feeley. The factory entrants were marked by two-digit chassis numbers, while customer cars gained a triple-digit identifier.

The example offered here, chassis number DB3S/111, was constructed between August and October 1955. Finished by the factory in Almond Green with a silver-painted grille and green leather upholstery, the DB3S was initially retained by the factory. Almost immediately after completion the car was taken to the 1955 British Motor Show at Earls Court, where it was exhibited on the Aston Martin show stand. In accompanying photography, famed Bond girl Eunice Gayson, who played Sylvia Trench in 007 films Dr No and From Russia With Love, is captured posing with the car and sitting in the driver’s seat. Coinciding with its retention by the factory, it is believed, but not confirmed, that chassis DB3S/111 was the car road tested by Autosport for a review printed in February 1956 and by Autocar the following April.

Period correspondence on file notes that the car was presented in March 1956 to Brooklands of Bond Street, who sold the DB3S to its first private owner, one Mr Mackie, with its first registration with the number plate “SLX 899” recorded in May. Further documentation from the Aston Martin Owners Club notes the next owner as R S Wilkins, who allegedly had the car fitted with SU carburettors—rather than standard Weber issue—in an effort to tame the 3.0-litre straight-six engine for application on the road.

The Aston Martin changed hands again in 1960 and over the next few years, it was successfully raced by its next three keepers. The first, Mr Doggett, finished 7th overall in the VSCC Pomeroy Trophy in 1960. The following year, he returned for overall victory. Also in 1961, Mr Doggett exhibited the DB3S at the Banbury Concours. Its next custodian, Mr W Ham, assumed ownership in 1962 and finished 2nd overall in a BRSCC race at Snetterton, followed by victory at another event at Silverstone, and 3rd place in an LMC Snetterton race. In 1963, Mr Alderslade bought the car and finished 2nd overall in a Silverstone race and 2nd again in an SMRC event at Snetterton.

In 1965, the DB3S was acquired by Mr Ivan Carr, heir to the eponymous biscuit and cracker manufacturer based in Carlisle. A period letter on file notes that Carr bought the car in poor cosmetic condition but fitted a new cylinder head after cracks appeared in the original unit. The car stayed in Cumbria for nine years until it was bought by Mr John Crabtree of Otley, Yorkshire in 1973.

The following year, chassis number DB3S/111 was acquired by Roger Forshaw, son of marque historian and founder of Aston Service Dorset, Ivan Forshaw. A letter on file from Roger notes that alongside his brother Richard, the Forshaws had long planned to acquire a DB3S, whether Works- or production-specification, and they began contacting the known owners of the cars. On speaking to Mr Carr, it was revealed that his example had been verbally agreed to be sold to Mr Crabtree, who was able to turn a quick profit on the Aston Martin so his ownership did not last for long. In the care of the Forshaw family, at various points custodians of some of the most significant cars to wear the badge (including sister car, chassis number DB3S/101), the DB3S was richly enjoyed. It was regularly driven to Aston Martin Owners Club meetings at Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Wiscombe Park, Fort Belvedere, and other venues. On speaking with RM Sotheby’s, Anthony Forshaw—son of Roger and now Managing Director of Aston Service Dorset—fondly recalled being driven to school in “SLX 899”. What a way to impress your classmates!

In 1990, Aston Service Dorset oversaw the restoration of chassis number DB3S/111, with the process led by John Lambert, former technician for Team Lotus and John Surtees’ self-named race team. The car was rebuilt, retrimmed, and repainted by the time it was finally completed in 1992. In 2014, the DB3S was acquired by its next keeper, this time in the United States, after four decades of single-family ownership. The car later returned to Europe, where it has been enjoyed in the most significant events and rallies, not limited to the Mille Miglia Storica.

Now the rare opportunity has arisen once more to buy this significant Aston Martin, which is offered with a spare engine block, the DB3S would be an ideal contender for future participation in the many concours events and rallies it is eligible to enter.

A cornerstone of Aston Martin’s competition history and surely the centre-point of any marque collection, presented here in its factory-correct colour scheme, this cherished and renowned DB3S awaits the next chapter in its fascinating story so far.