 The DB 2/4 Mark III (known more simply as just the DB Mark III) was the last in the line of Feltham cars which were a combination of Claude Hill's Atom derived chassis and the Willie Watson six cylinder engine. The body received its most extensive makeover that included a more flowing grille most similar to the DB3S sports racing car, a shape still closely reflected in today's production cars. Inside, the instruments were redesigned and mounted within a single binnacle, the shape of which mirrored that of the grille.
Initially available with the familiar 2.9 litre with 162 bhp, various options could have the power lifted to 195 bhp but top speed was somewhat pegged at 120 mph due to the increased weight that the car had acquired.
The DB Mark III in common with the previous Feltham cars was built with coupe, drophead coupe or rare fixedhead coupe bodywork. Production started in 1957 and continued until 1959 with a slight overlap at the start of DB4 production.
Although James Bond is famous for driving a DB5, the Vanquish and now a DBS, a DB Mark III was the first Aston Martin driven by the literary James Bond, in Goldfinger. The DB Mark III was issued to James Bond by 'the company', 007 being offered a choice of the Aston Martin or a Jaguar 3.2.
According to the novel, Bond chose the Aston because of; 'its up-to-date triptyque, inconspicuous colour - battleship grey - and certain extras which might or might not come in handy. These included switches to alter the type and colour of Bond's front and rear lights if he was following or being followed at night, reinforced steel bumpers, fore and aft, in case he needed to ram, a long-barrelled Colt .45 in a trick compartment under the driver's seat, a radio pick-up tuned to receive an apparatus called the Homer, and plenty of concealed space that would fox most Customs men.'
Ian Fleming incorrectly refers to the DB Mark III as the DBIII throughout the novel.
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Apr 09, 2012
