- Aston Martin DB3
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- See Aston Martin DB Mark III for the road car often called "DB3"
Aston Martin DB3 
Aston Martin DB3/5, at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009Category Le Mans Racer Sports car racing Constructor Aston Martin Lagonda LTD Designer(s) Eberan von Eberhorst Technical specifications Chassis Twin-tubular, aluminium body, open two seater Suspension (front) Torsion bar and trailing arms Suspension (rear) Torsion bars, parallel links, panhard rod, De Dion axle Length 13 ft 2½ in (4,026 mm) Width 5 ft 1½ in (1,562 mm) Height 3 ft 4 in (1,016 mm) Axle track 4 ft 3 in (1,295 mm) Wheelbase 7 ft 9 in (2,362 mm) Engine Lagonda 2,580 cc/2.9L Straight 6, Twin OHC, FR Layout, 3 twin-choke Weber 36 DCF5 carburettors Transmission David Brown S527, 5-speed Manual, later a David Brown S430/63R, 4-speed Manual, 9" single clutch Tyres Dunlop 16 x 6 Competition history Notable entrants 
David BrownNotable drivers Reg ParnellThe Aston Martin DB3 and later DB3S were racing cars built in the 1950s. Although they used some DB2 parts, they were quite different, being designed especially for racing. The original modifications were done by ex-Auto Union engineer, Eberan von Eberhorst, though others handled the later DB3S work.
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DB3
The DB3 was introduced in 1951 with a 133 hp (99 kW) 2.6 L Lagonda straight-6 engine from the DB2 Vantage. The car was unsuccessful, so a larger 2.9 L engine, producing 163 hp (122 kW), was introduced in June 1952. The car was placed 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at Silverstone May 1952 (in 2.6 ltr form) that year behind a Jaguar C-Type. The cars were forced out of Le Mans, but did claim the 9-hour race at Goodwood.
Chassis numbers
In total 10 DB3's were made between 1951 and 1953, with chassis numbers from DB3/1 to DB3/10. Cars 1 to 5 being used as works cars and cars 6 to 10 being sold as customer cars.
Coupé's
Several Aston Martin DB3's have received coupé style bodies over the years. Pictured left is Aston Martin DB3/7 Coupé at Silverstone Classic 2008
DB3S
See also: Aston Martin DB3SThe DB3S was a lighter version of the car, introduced in 1953. It was somewhat more successful, and was produced until 1956.
Originally two 'works' coupe versions were also built.
The DB3S was replaced in 1956 by the famed DBR1, which finally claimed Le Mans in 1959.
References
- "Post War Competition Cars". AstonMartins.com. http://www.astonmartins.com/racing/index.html. Retrieved June 24, 2005.
1951–1959 1967 T70 (Lola)
1982–1989 2008–Now B08/60 (Lola) · DBR1-2 (Lola) · AMR-One
1962–1964 1977–1979 2005–Now Categories:- Aston Martin racing cars
- 24 Hours of Le Mans race cars
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