Aston Martin DBS 1967

[Tsukishima]

Aston Martin DBS '67

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The DBS was intended as the successor to the Aston Martin DB6, although the two ran concurrently for three years. Powered by a straight-six engine, it was produced from 1967 until 1972, eventually being phased out in favour of the Aston Martin Vantage.

It was a larger coupé than the DB6, with four full sized seats, but was powered by the same 4.0 L engine as the previous car. Claimed engine output was 282 hp, but a no-cost vantage spec engine option substituted Italian made Weber carburettors for the DBS' original SU units, thereby upping output to an advertised 325 hp.

The DBS was intended to have a more "modern" look than the previous series of Aston models (the DB4 through DB6), and it incorporated a fastback style rear end and squared off front grille, atypical of Astons at the time, but very much then in vogue in automotive design circles of the late sixties. Trademark Aston design features, such as a bonnet scoop, knock off wire wheels, and side air vents with stainless steel brightwork were however retained. The DBS was the last Aston Martin to be built under David Brown's control.

 

[Sick Cylinder]

The car in your post looks like a DBS V8 - these went on sale in 1969 and had alloy wheels as standard. The DBS six cylinder had wire wheels. The car was styled by William Towns and was intended to be launched with the Tadek Marek designed V8 from the start, but the engine was not ready in time. The motor was used in a race application first as part of its development - at Le Mans in 1967 in the two Surtess entered Lola-Aston Martin's, but retired early with reliability problems. When the V8 model was launched in 1969 it was the fastest standard four seater on sale in the world.

The car in your pictures is the DBS six cylinder used in the TV show the Persuaders - it was fitted with the alloy wheels and badges from a V8 model - I think you should change the pictures or the title if you want it to be the TV car. The 6 cylinder version looked like this.