1967, Cars: Aston Martin DBS

British car maker Aston Martin Lagonda introduced the new DBS at Blenheim Palace on September 25, 1967. Designed by William Towns, the new DBS was intended as a successor to the Aston Martin DB6, although the two ran concurrently for three years.

The new Aston Martin DBS retained the six-cylinder, 3,995 cc from the Aston Martin DB6. The standard L6 engine power output was 210 kW, but an extra engine option offered Italian made Weber carburetors, increasing the power output to 242 kW (DBS Vantage). The car was a larger more "modern" coupé than the DB6, with four full sized seats. Trademark Aston design features, such as a bonnet scoop, wire wheels, and side air vents with stainless steel brightwork were however retained.

Predecessor Aston Martin DB6

Aston Martin DBS (series 1, 1967 - 1969)

Aston Martin DBS (series 1, 1967 - 1969)

Aston Martin DBS (series 1, 1967 - 1969)

From 27 September, 1969 the car was also available with a 5.3 L V8 engine as the Aston Martin DBS V8. The power output was around 235 kW. The DBS V8 could hit 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.9 seconds and had a top speed of nearly 257 km/h. Besides the engine differences, the DBS V8, used 15'' light weight alloy wheels with ventilated brake discs as opposed to the wire wheels on the DBS. With the introduction of the DBS V8, the DBS received some minor cosmetic changes, the vent in the C-pillar was removed, a deeper front air intake and bigger stainless sill covers.

Aston Martin DBS (series 2, 1969 - 1972)

Aston Martin DBS (series 2, 1969 - 1962)

The Aston Martin DBS and the DBS V8 were produced until May 1972. During the production run 1189 were built, 787 DBSs and 402 DBS V8s.

Aston Martin DBS V8 (1967 - 1969)

Successor Aston Martin V8

Two green DBSs (FBH 207G and GKX 8G) were used as James Bonds car in the 1969 film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" with George Lazenby and Diana Rigg. One DBS (FBH 207G) is now in the Bond museum, Lake District, England, the other (GKX 8G) is privately owned in Australia. Unlike Bond's previous car no gadgets were seen in this car. In the final scenes of the film, Bond's wife, Tracy (Diana Rigg), is shot and killed while sitting in the car.

Green James Bond Aston Martin DBS (1969)

Green James Bond Aston Martin DBS (1969)

In 1971 a "Bahama yellow" Aston Martin DBS, with a personalised license plate "BS 1" (original UK registration number was PPP 6H), was used in the TV series "The Persuaders!" as Lord Brett Sinclairs (played by Roger Moore) car. The car was a 6-cylinder DBS that had been made to look like the DBS V8 model. It was restored to a very high standard in recent years by the Aston Martin factory. Both main stars from "The Persuaders!", Roger Moore and Tony Curtis, have signed the underside of the rear luggage compartment.

Roger Moore (Lord Brett Sinclair) on the hood of
his Aston Martin DBS with original registration number (PPP 6H)

Restored Aston Martin DBS from "The Persuaders!"

Roger Moore (Lord Brett Sinclair) with
his Aston Martin DBS (BS 1)

Tony Curtis and Roger Moore signature in the rear boot of the Aston Martin DBS

Brochure Aston Martin DBS (English, 1967)
Brochure Aston Martin DBS (English, 1969)
Brochure Aston Martin DBS (English, 1970)