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Category Le Mans Racer Sports car racing Constructor Aston Martin Lagonda LTD Designer(s) Robert Eberan von Eberhorst 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 | ||
The Aston Martin DB3 and later DB3S were sports 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.
In 1953 a DB3 driven by Parnell/Abecassis placed 2nd at the Sebring 12 Hours, the opening race in the World Sports Car Championship, behind a Cunningham CR4 and then at the second round at the Mille Miglia, Reg Parnell drove a DB3 to 5th place, the highest position ever reached by a British sports car in the Italian classic. The car was then replaced as Astons front line car by the DB3S.
Chassis numbers
In total 10 DB3s 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.
Coupés
Several Aston Martin DB3s have received coupé style bodies over the years. Pictured left is Aston Martin DB3/7 Coupé at Silverstone Classic 2008
DB3S
The DB3S was a lighter version of the car, introduced in 1953. It was somewhat more successful, and was produced until 1956.
Originally two 'works' coupé versions were also built.
The DB3S was replaced in 1956 by the famed DBR1, which finally claimed Le Mans in 1959.