- Aston Martin DBS
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This article is about a 1967–72 GT car. For the 2008 car, see Aston Martin DBS V12.
Aston Martin DBS 
Manufacturer Aston Martin Ltd. Production 1967–1972
787 produced[1]Predecessor Aston Martin DB6 Successor Aston Martin Vantage/Aston Martin DBSV8 Class Grand tourer Body style 2-door coupe Layout FR layout Engine 4.0 L DOHC I6 Transmission Borg-Warner automatic
or 5-speed manualWheelbase 2,610 mm (102.8 in)[2] Length 4,585 mm (180.5 in) Width 1,830 mm (72.0 in) Height 1,330 mm (52.4 in) Curb weight 1,590 kg (3,500 lb) (approx) Related Aston Martin V8 Designer William Towns The Aston Martin DBS is a GT car produced by the British manufacturer Aston Martin Lagonda Limited. Originally produced from 1967–72, it featured in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. A new version, based heavily on the Aston Martin DB9, is featured in the 2006 film Casino Royale and the 2008 film Quantum of Solace (see Aston Martin DBS V12).
Contents
Original DBS (1967–72)
The DBS was intended as the successor to the Aston Martin DB6, although the two ran concurrently for three years. Powered by a straight-6 engine, it was produced from 1967 until 1972, eventually being phased out in favor of the DBS V8 and 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 bhp (210 kW; 286 PS), 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 bhp (242 kW; 330 PS).[3]
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, 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 of the David Brown Aston Martins.[3]
Specifications (1972)
- Weight: 3,760 lb (1,706 kg)
- Engine: 4.0L DOHC straight-6
- Power: 283 bhp (211 kW; 287 PS) at 5500 rpm
- Torque: 390.5 N·m (288.0 lb·ft) at 3850 rpm
In popular culture
The DBS was used by George Lazenby's James Bond in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Unlike Bond's previous car, the Aston Martin DB5, no gadgets were seen in this car, other than a mounting for a telescopic-sight rifle in the glove compartment.
In the final scenes of the film, Bond's wife, Tracy, is shot and killed while sitting in the car.[3]
The DBS also appears in a single scene in the next Bond film, Diamonds are Forever. It can be seen in the background (being fitted with some sort of small missiles) when Bond is talking to Q on the telephone.
An Aston Martin DBS was later used in the short-lived TV series The Persuaders! (1971–1972), in which Roger Moore's character Lord Brett Sinclair drove a distinctive orange/gold tinted 6-cylinder DBS (note: the official color was "Bahama Yellow"), which, through the use of alloy wheels and different badges, had been made to look like the later DBSV8 model.
The new DBS V12 (2007)
The new Aston Martin DBS V12.
Main article: Aston Martin DBS V12The new DBS is based on the DB9, more specifically the DBR9 race car. Built on the VH Platform the car shares its roof, sidescreens and wheelbase with the DB9, but sits lower (by 25 mm) and wider (by 40 mm) than the DB9. Visually, the front end is dominated by air scoops and cooling ducts which help cool the six-litre V12 engine which has reportedly been uprated to produce 510 bhp (380 kW; 517 PS), 420 lb·ft (569 N·m) of torque and a top speed of 191 mph (307 km/h). The rear is equipped with a carbon fibre diffuser and an integrated rear lip spoiler. Other details include a six-speed manual transmission and a removable stopwatch. A special helmet pod behind the driver's seat is present for Casino Royale but will not feature in the production version. The Aston Martin DBS also features an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system with 13 active loudspeakers including two tweeters with ALT (Acoustic Lens Technology).[4]
See also
- List of James Bond Vehicles
References
- ^ Records of The Aston Martin Owner's Club
- ^ "Exhibition Stand 144 Aston Martin". Autocar 127 (nbr 3740): 27. October 1967.
- ^ a b c Sass, Rob (June 2010). "Aston Martin DBS, Unloved No More". Sports Car Market 22 (6): 28.
- ^ "BeoSound DBS Sound System". Bang & Olufsen. http://www.bang-olufsen.com/aston-martin/beosound-dbs.
External links
- Official Aston Martin Site
- Aston Martin Flash Site
- Official Aston Martin Used Car Locator
- Newport Pagnell 6 Cylinder Cars
- Top Gear.com article: Now pay attention 007
- Original Aston Martin brochures - Original sales literature for Aston Martin viewable online, including the DBS
Aston Martin and Lagonda road car timeline, 1948–present Type 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 Owner David Brown Limited William Wilson Sprague & Minden Pace Petroleum & Gauntlett Gauntlett & Livanos Gauntlett, Livanos & Ford Ford Richards, Sinders, Dar, Adeem City car Cygnet Zagato / Limited Run
DB4 GT Zagato V8 Zagato DB7 Vantage Zagato V12 Zagato DB AR1 One-77 Super Grand tourer SWB V8 Vantage Virage Vantage V8 Vantage V12 Vanquish DBS V12 Grand tourer V8 Virage V8 Virage DB4 DB5 DB6 DB7 DB9 DB1 DB2 DB2/4 DB Mk III DBS Vantage V8 Vantage / Luxury saloon 2.6-Litre 3-Litre Rapide Lagonda Rapide Categories:- 1960s automobiles
- 1970s automobiles
- Aston Martin vehicles
- Grand tourers
- Vehicles introduced in 1967
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