See also Aston Martin DB3 for the racing car often confused with the Mark III
The DB 2/4 Mark III (normally simply called DB Mark III, even at the time of its introduction) is a grand tourer 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.
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 Girlingdisc brakes. The hydraulically operated clutch was new as well, and an optional Laycock-de Normanvilleoverdrive 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).
A mid-level DBD option with triple SU 1.75" carbs and dual exhaust produced 180 hp (134 kW), and was fitted to 47 cars.
A 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 was rated at 195 hp (145 kW) and ordered on just 10 cars.
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.
The DB Mark III featured a hatchback body first seen on the DB2-4.
The hatch's struts and springs are visible from inside
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 hatchback body style, complete with fold-down rear seats, was introduced in the 2/4 MkI in 1953.
A 1959 review by The US automobile magazineRoad & Track 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.
Coupé, convertible
1959 DB 2/4 Mark III Drophead Coupé with the DBD engine
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 body styles feature conventional hinged boot lids rather than the innovative hatchback.
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. That model 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
LHD: 83
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".
References
^"DB 2/4 MkIII". Aston Service Dorset. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
Further reading
"Aston Martin DB Mark III". AstonMartins.com. Retrieved 23 June 2005.
"Aston Martin Mark III". Road & Track (1959 Road Test Annual): 34–36.
March 13, 2023
aston, martin, mark, also, aston, martin, racing, often, confused, with, mark, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find. See also Aston Martin DB3 for the racing car often confused with the Mark III This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Aston Martin DB Mark III news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2018 Learn how and when to remove this template message The DB 2 4 Mark III normally simply called DB Mark III even at the time of its introduction is a grand tourer 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 in Lagonda straight 6 engine redesigned by Tadek Marek Aston Martin DB Mark III1957 Aston Martin DB 2 4 Mark IIIOverviewManufacturerAston MartinProduction1957 1959551 producedBody and chassisClassSports carBody style2 2 hatchback2 seat coupe2 seat dropheadLayoutFR layoutPowertrainEngine2 9 L Lagonda I6DimensionsWheelbase99 in 2 515 mm Length172 in 4 369 mm Width65 in 1 651 mm Height53 5 in 1 359 mm Curb weight3 000 lb 1 361 kg ChronologyPredecessorAston Martin DB2 4 Mk IISuccessorAston Martin DB4It was succeeded by the Aston Martin DB4 in 1958 Contents 1 Overview 2 Coupe convertible 3 James Bond 4 Production 5 Die cast models 6 References 7 Further readingOverview EditChanges 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 A mid level DBD option with triple SU 1 75 carbs and dual exhaust produced 180 hp 134 kW and was fitted to 47 cars A 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 was rated at 195 hp 145 kW and ordered on just 10 cars 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 amp three twin choke Weber 45 DCO 3 carburettors The DB Mark III featured a hatchback body first seen on the DB2 4 The hatch s struts and springs are visible from insideGirling 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 hatchback body style complete with fold down rear seats was introduced in the 2 4 MkI in 1953 A 1959 review by The US automobile magazineRoad amp Track 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 Coupe convertible Edit 1959 DB 2 4 Mark III Drophead Coupe with the DBD engine Along with the hatchback two two seater coupe variants of the Mark III were also produced A drophead coupe convertible while not common still considerably outnumbers the fixed head coupe 84 of the former were produced while just five of the latter were built All five Fixed Head Coupes were built close to the end of Mark III production and feature the mid spec DBD engine 1 Both of these body styles feature conventional hinged boot lids rather than the innovative hatchback James Bond EditJames 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 That model was to become one of the most iconic of classic cars as a result Production EditDB Mark III 551 Hatchback 462 Drophead Coupe 84 DBA 68 DBB 2 DBD 14 Fixed Head Coupe 5LHD 83Die cast models EditThe 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 References Edit DB 2 4 MkIII Aston Service Dorset Retrieved 19 June 2013 Further reading Edit Aston Martin DB Mark III AstonMartins com Retrieved 23 June 2005 Aston Martin Mark III Road amp Track 1959 Road Test Annual 34 36 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aston Martin DB Mark III amp oldid 1143951849, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
