Aston Martin DB MKIII Drophead

A copy of the original build sheet for the car shows the car’s delivery to it’s first owner, Joseph Paynton on the 8th August 1959.

In 1966, the second owner, Dr Free, an enthusiast and professional engineer bought the car to replace his Svecia Red AC Bristol convertible that he had christened “Jezebel” after the 1950’s Frankie Lane hit. This car had sadly been written off and the MK 3, was re-sprayed in Svecia Red. The paint was obtained on special order from the AC in Thames Ditton and “Jezebel 2″ was born.

A new differential and rear axle were fitted by Whites of Maidenhead in 1967 and in 1968, Lowe’s of Whyteleaf replaced the hood with a new one in matching Svecia Red to exactly match the look of “Jezebel 1″. Dr Free’s job took him to the USA at this time and Lowe’s arranged shipment of the car to New York where a dock strike held up arrival of the car until February 1969.

A regular at AMOC meetings and race meets in the States, the car frequently drew crowds in New York City when parked or just stopped at traffic lights.

Repainted when the owner returned to the UK in the late 1970’s, there are also photos of an AMOC line up at Brands Hatch in the early 1980’s.

The car was given to Dr Free’s son as a 21st birthday gift in 1992, but with the risk of traffic damage and the cost of insurance, the car was put under a heavy tarpaulin in the front garden where it remained for many years..

We acquired the car in May 2013 and a full restoration began.

Subject to a total body off rebuild by Adrian Johnson Ltd a world authority on Feltham Aston with 50 years’ experience in the model. Rebuilt to the very highest possible standard with numerous enhancements to achieve total reliability, performance and durability.

An exceptional car with great history, previous owner for some 48 years being only the second owner from new.

Supplied new with factory fitted overdrive making this very rare car an ideal subject on which the restoration was performed over some 2 years.

Detailed below to the specification that was carried out:

Body off rebuild, new alloy where required, finished in 2 pack base coat and laquer.

Rear axle rebuilt with new crown wheel and pinion, uprated hub seals, uprated half shafts.

Gearbox rebuilt with new syncros and seals.

Rear suspension uprated with stronger road springs new uprated alloy suspension eyes and bushes, uprated chassis pick up points. Uprated shock absorbers.

Suspension:
Uprated with stronger springs, uprated anti-roll bar, new stronger design hubs and bearings. New uprated spring towers. Uprated shock absorbers.

Engine:
Original block, line bored, fitted with new better designed “cheeses”, state of the art “ARROW” steel crank and rods. OMEGA high compression pistons. DB3/S camshafts, alloy head with big valves high capacity water pump gas flowed oil and water ways. Stronger design head studs and nuts. Uprated clutch and modern lip seal to crankshaft with special lip seal to front pulley.

Uprated radiator and electric fan.

Alloy fuel tank, foam filled.

Converted to negative earth electric system.

“It is rare to find a car of this age with such traceable history that offers a new owner or collector the opportunity to own a unique car that has been restored to our personal high standards” – Adrian Johnson @ Adrian Johnson Ltd