September 2019 Classic & Sports Car 111job. Accessibility rather than aesthetics was the
priority, as the crossed cables over the gearbox
cover underline. The Astons were often under-
powered compared to rivals, so boss John Wyer
and his team knew they could save time in
the pits with quick access for repairs.
Alongside the restored D-type’s interior, the
Aston’s chipped paint and scuffed leather vividly
evoke this car’s past and you immediately feel
privileged to sit where Aston Martin greats did
their heroic best. Just holding the wooden rim of
that broad, three-spoke steering wheel, stained
with years of sweat and oil, is richly evocative.
The feeling of sitting on the chassis with
a view over the ’screen seems vintage compared
to the snug, deep cockpit of the D-type.
No key is needed to start it. Switch the fuel
pump on, flick down the ignition tog, thumb the
prominent button in the centre of the dash and
the 3-litre ‘six’ erupts with a thunderous bark.
The sensitive throttle is crisp and sharp, with
little flywheel effect, and with the exhaust exiting
under the driver’s-side sill the sound has a deaf-
ening growl within the confines of a garage.
Fitting earplugs would be sensible, but I’ve
always listened to my favourite music too loud.
The Aston’s hopeless lack of lock and heavy
steering make manoeuvring a busy challenge.
The stiff action of the gearbox and hefty clutch
don’t help, while over secondary-road bumps the
limited suspension rattles and bangs. But the
jittery ride and steering kickback are soon
forgotten once on to smoother surfaces, when
the DB3S really comes to life. The agricultural
action of the gearchange gets cleaner as the revs
rise, while the sharp worm-and-roller steering
inspires precise cornering attacks. With no servo
the brakes initially feel dead and take a hefty
heave into tight turns, but they always pull up
straight and strong, with no hint of locking. The
engine accelerates cleanly from low down but
feels strongest between 3000 and 4000rpm,
when the exhaust’s resonance is spine-tingling.
As you thunder past hedgerows, nothing scares
crows like the Aston’s belligerent roar.
Through the turns, the chassis feels balanced
and perfectly matched to the power. The fluid,
nimble character underlines the car’s viceless
reputation, and on a clear track it would no
doubt be beautifully controllable. Little wonder
drivers enjoyed the DB3S in wet conditions.
Driving on country roads in this valuable
machine only scratches the surface of the Aston’s
performance potential, but the historic car’s
inspiring controls and balanced chassis reinforce
its revered reputation. As you blast along to that
hammering exhaust note, the interior’s well-
worn charm only makes the experience more
special and you can really feel its rich history.
In contrast, the restored D-type looks factory
fresh, just as it rolled out of the Coventry works
for shipping to Australia. Sayer’s streamlined
masterpiece looks lower and more taut than the
rival Aston. The clean-sheet approach led to
a race-bred purity that blends organic curves
and lean athleticism, with every detail consid-
ered for smoother airflow. Where the Aston’s
wheelarches are cut high, the D-type’s overhang
the distinctive aluminium Dunlop wheels, the
body looking almost too big for the track.
Stretching inside to release the flimsy little
door, the more modern, ordered approach to
the cockpit design and layout is a far cry from
the Aston’s busy, cluttered affair. Stepping overASTON MARTIN DB3S
Sold/no built 1953-’56/31 (including
20 customer cars) Construction steel tubular
frame with aluminium body
Engine iron-block, alloy-head, dohc,
twin-plug 2992cc straight-six, triple
Weber 45DCOE carburettors
Max power 225bhp @ 6000rpm
Max torque n/a
Transmission David Brown four-speed
manual, RWD via ZF limited-slip differential
Suspension: front independent, by semi-
trailing arms rear de Dion axle with central
slide, trailing links; torsion bars, telescopic
dampers f/r Steering worm and roller
Brakes discs (occasionally drums)
Weight 1962lb (890kg)
0-60mph 6.6 secs Top speed 140mph
Price new £3684 (inc Purchase Tax)The Stirling Moss/Peter
Collins DB3S holds off the
Jaguar D-type of eventual
winners Ninian Sanderson/
Ron Flockhart during the
1956 Le Mans 24 Hours