Desert Stored: Fire Victim 1968 Aston Martin DBS
How badly do you want to own an Aston Martin DBS project? You’d have to either have a line on the necessary spares to restore this one or otherwise have a plan for a restomod build. Said to have been languishing in the desert for many years, this 1968 DBS also suffered from an engine fire at some point. It’s now quite the project, but these cars are totally worth it when restored. Find it here on eBay with no reserve and bidding over $3K.
The aluminum body has survived surprisingly well despite years of being shuffled around. The seller notes due to these impromptu moves, the body has suffered dings and dents throughout. Still, there’s enough here that you can remember how handsome these fastback successors to the DB6 were. The wire wheels with knock-off hubs are still present along with the chrome rear bumper, both of which may be worth the cost of admission in and of themselves.
The odds that this was an engine fire are good, as the cockpit is destroyed and the engine is long gone. Sourcing a replacement dash will be a feat, along with seats, carpet and headliner, not to mention door panels and, well – everything. All glass is missing, either previously pillaged or smashed out by fire fighting personnel. Fortunately, there are a large number of vendors hawking spare Aston parts, so the next owner will likely get to know them well.
The DOHC straight-six that once resided here churned out nearly 300 b.h.p. and offered stirring performance in its day. What’s left now is a carcass that likely deserves restoration but will cost far more than a finished example is worth. Still, with just under 800 cars produced, this DBS appears to be on the right side of the threshold for rescue, and the no reserve auction will likely help the ambitious swallow their fears.
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Comments
Obviously needs a SBC. Just tying to fit in here
Nope. LS SWAP. LOL
At one time there was a guy in Needles(s) California (by the Colorado River) that had a pile of these – maybe this is one of ’em! Needles(s) California and Aston-Martins – who woulda thunk? Howzit that ol Alex and the boys at Beverly Hills Hair Club haven’t gotten ahold of this junker yet??
If you were good at fabing tube chassis, this would be a great car to re body, potent small block, killer suspension… WOW!!
This is the same seller that has the 428CJ Mustang from a few days ago. The one that might have the “original” engine.
He must have bought out some hoarders stash.
Steve R
Perfect candidate for an LS, Tremec 6-speed, and a tasteful custom interior with a Painless wiring harness. I doubt that the cost of restoration to original makes financial sense.
I couldn’t have put it better myself
turboed 300 i6
I’ve never seen a melted steering wheel before.
Salvador Dali motif no doubt . . .
Hot fire and older aluminum body might mean metal fatigue.
Mebbe, Jay Leno could bring it back to life! He has long arms and shallow pockets.
With the sale price of these in restored or mint original condition fast approacing the USD$175,000 mark I fail to see how one if these restored would not be worth the cost. Yes it may cost $100k to restore it and take 5-10 years part time by a backard hobbyist, but by then the price to buy one restored would be well over $200k….
Restomod an Aston Martin? Right. No doubt some barbarian would do it, but no way! Unless this hulk is free, I cannot imagine the reward being worth the cost.
Except this is not an Aston Martin. It is what used to be an Aston Martin.
the avengers theme and Emma Peale haunt my thoughts as I look upon this masterpiece of British design…
Remember 007’s DBS from “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.”
I’d still prefer the Cougar.
Strangely, I was a huge fan of the Aston Martin DBS and the 428CJ Cougar convertible long before I ever heard of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. You can imagine my excitement when I found out that the cars were in the film.
I own one of each now, and can tell you that this is going to be a near-impossible feat to restore to factory specifications. If it were a DB5, or maybe even a DB6 it would be snapped up quickly, but the humble DBS of this era doesn’t make the mark (yet).
That said, a tasteful resto-mod is likey the only feasible solution. I saw one of these cars with the engine from a DB7 in it. The DBS were donor cars for DB5/6 with engine needs for many years, so I suspect that’s where that one got to if it wasn’t destroyed in the fire.
Good luck to the buyer. GLWS.
$14,800 sale. Someone is on crack.