RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale returns with over 180 classic cars, including the 1953 Aston Martin DB3S/2 Works that was raced by Peter Collins in several exciting races of the 1950s.
For over 30 years RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale has been among the leading collector car auctions of the world. This year’s three-day sale, between 15-17 August, will showcase over 180 classic motor cars. RM Sotheby’s is the official auction house of Aston Martin and ‘An Evening with Aston Martin’ will be among the highlights of this year’s sale. The 1953 Aston Martin DB3S Works will be among the finest Aston Martin’s to be presented. The DB3S/2 is the second Works DB3S ever built and was raced in some of the most exciting motorsport events of the 1950s, with one of the drivers being the legendary ex-Aston Martin team driver Peter Collins.
The DB3S/2 is an important part of Aston Martin’s competition history and is as it left the factory – complete with the original body, chasis and engine. Among the best models of the 1950s, the DB3S/2 was conceived by two famous engineers of the time – W.O. Bentley and Professor Robert Eberan von Eberhorst, of Auto Union. Willie Watson further developed the Eberhorst’s DB3 chassis and transformed it into a much lighter and swifter car to complement its high-compression 3.0-liter version of W.O.’s straight-six engine. Famous designer Frank Feeley created the stunning bodywork, and its influence is still visible in the design language of Aston Martins today.
The second DB3S ever built, this car met with an accident at its very first outing with Reg Parnell at the wheel. A month later it was driven by Peter Collins who finished third 3rd in an all-Aston Martin podium at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Parnell took it for another go at the Goodwood 9 hours in which he paired with Aston Martin stalwart Eric Thompson and the duo came first. The same year it was entered in the last round of the World Sportscar Championship, for the RAC Tourist Trophy at Dundrod. Parnell and Thompson finished 2nd in the race, only behind the sister car DB3S/1. In 1954 the DB3S/2 contested the 1000 km of Buenos Aires, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the Mille Miglia.
After such extensive use in competitions, the DB3S/2 was among the cars to be rebuilt with new chasis and bodies before the RAC Tourist Trophy at Dundrod. Later in the year Phil Collins’ most impressive performance in the DB3S/2 came at Aintree where after a fierce race with Masten Gregory in a Ferrari 375 MM, he came in second. With newer cars ready for future races, the DB3S/2 was sold to Phil Collins, who registered it as UDV 609. In 1955 Collins’ competed in this car at the Silverstone International Trophy where he finished at the seventh position. His last competitive outing with this car was at the 1955 Daily Herald Trophy Race at Oulton Park, where he finished third, ahead of many newer cars with latest updates.
The car next found a home with George Gale who kept it for over two decades. It then came into the hands of the man with more DB3S examples than anyone else – Richard Forshaw of Aston Martin Service Dorset. He restored the car to the ‘Works’ specification as Peter Collins’ version in 1955. Beautifully maintained, the car has graced a number of vintage events. It will be offered in Monterery for an estimate of $8,750,000 – $10,500,000 with matching numbers engine from its factory sale to Collins and a nearly original body. The car will be sold with a history file with original Aston Martin internal race debriefing reports by John Wyer, articles, photographs, race programmes and maintenance reports.
“This magnificent DB3S represents a significant moment in Aston Martin’s competition history. This Works car performed at the highest level in the golden era of motorsport, and one of Aston Martin’s most successful eras in racing. Very few race cars of the period can claim to have their original chassis, engine and body from when they left the factory – and DB3S/2 is one of those few. We look back fondly on the talents of the late Peter Collins, who owned and raced this very car, making Monterey an extraordinary opportunity for any Aston Martin or motorsport collector to own and drive a part of his story,” said Michael Squire, Car Specialist at RM Sotheby’s.
For further information on RM Sotheby’s 2019 Monterey auction please visit rmsothebys.com.