This car was recreated alongside the original Aston Martin DB3S 'Works' car raced by the Aston Martin team in 1957. The original was the 10th Works car and hence is referred to as DB3S/10. This is a carbon copy of that car. In general 'tool room' copies of the Aston Martin DB3S model are incredibly rare and I know of only two others, and these are earlier Production Car DB3Ss, not later Works Car Specification. So this is the only one in existence which is absolutely correct and therefore eligible for FIA papers and historic racing.

It was built over 30 years ago by the then owner of the original Works Aston Martin DB3/10 as a clone of his own car, so he had the best possible reference from which to work. To that end it has an absolutely correct chassis, with correct di dion back axle and correct wishbone front suspension, which is unique to DB3S/10; 3 litre single plug engine, with triple Weber carbs, all from a period Aston Martin DB2/4 MK3; matching gearbox; correct instruments/steering wheel and trim. According to the specification all the parts are the same as those used on DB3S/10, and many have been bespoke-made to original patterns and drawings. While the earlier DB3S model had drum brakes, DB3S/10 has disk brakes and so our car has the correct offset Borrani wire wheels, as per original, which is why the later model has the distinct 'eye brows' over the wheel arches to accommodate the slightly wider wheels and also has flared headlights which further distinguishes it from the earlier cars.

The body is 16 swg H14 Aluminium and includes a half tonneau in alloy, with single screen attached so that it can be configured as a single seater for racing, or  twin seater for touring with full width screen. It also has a conventional full leather tonneau cover. It is also UK road registered as an Aston Martin.

The car has had two owners since it was built, the last for nearly 20 years. The car also appears in the celebrated Palawan Press book on the DB3S by Chris Nixon (priced £400,000).

Earlier this year the car was inspected by DB3S expert Chris Woodgate, and in March the car was taken to the Goodwood 72nd and I enclose a photo of it in the paddock.

The car is not officially for sale, although it has been discussed with a couple of UK collectors at a figure of £350,000. They want to buy, but I am not interested in handling the sale and prefer to do a trade.

FIA HTP

Although it was a perfect copy of DB3S10 when built, ironically during the past 30 years the original DB3S10 has been restored twice and has had minor modifications. In order to obtain FIA papers today, I am advised that relatively minor updating works are necessary, including the fitting of a twin-plug head and a head fairing so that it is once again identical.  Once papers are granted I would expect to market the car for £450K+.

Th decision is whether to give the next owner this opportunity, and sell 'as is' at £350K or to do the work now and achieve a higher price.

The benefit of having the FIA HTP papers is that the original DB3S/10 is no longer raced, and so our recreation would be welcome in international historic events, including Goodwood. I have been advised by Richard Gauntlett, son of the late Richard Gauntlett ex-Chairman of AM, who also looks after DB3S '62 EMU', that with FIA papers and a number of race meetings under its belt, its value would increase significantly, to somewhere in the region of £600K+.

The car is in excellent condition mechanically and bodily and has a very authentic patina, having been built over 30 years ago.