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See also Aston Martin DB3 for the racing car often confused with the Mark III

Aston Martin DB Mark III
Manufacturer	Aston Martin
Production	1957–1959 551 produced
Predecessor	Aston Martin DB2/4
Successor	Aston Martin DB4
Class	Sports car
Body style	FR 2+2 hatchback FR 2-seat coupe FR 2-seat drophead
Engine	2.9 L Lagonda I6
Wheelbase	99.0 in (2515 mm)
Length	172 in (4369 mm)
Width	65 in (1651 mm)
Height	53.5 in (1359 mm)
Curb weight	3000 lb (1361 kg)

The DB Mark III (normally simply called Mark III, even at the time of its introduction) was a sports car sold by Aston Martin from 1957 through 1959. It was an evolution of the DB2/4 Mark II model it replaced, using an evolution of that car's W.O. Bentley-designed Lagonda 2.9 L (2922 cc/178 in³) straight-6 engine.

Contents 1 Overview 2 Coupes 3 James Bond 4 Production 5 References

Changes included a grille like that on the DB3S, a new instrument panel, and available Girling disc brakes. A hydraulic clutch was new as well, and optional Laycock-de Normanville overdrive or automatic transmission were available. Worm-and-sector steering and a live axle rear end were carry overs. At the rear, the DB2/4 Mark II's tailfins were altered to use the rear lights from the Humber Hawk.

The standard DBA engine model with twin SU carburettors produced 162 hp (121 kW), though an optional dual-exhaust system raised this to 178 hp (133 kW). Thus equipped, the car could reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 9.3 seconds and hit 120 mph (193 km/h). An optional high-output DBB engine with twin three-choke Weber carburettors, special camshafts, and the dual-exhaust system boasted 195 hp (145 kW), though this was rarer than a mid-level DBD option with triple SU carbs and 180 hp (134 kW).

The DB Mark III featured the world's first hatchback body

The useful hatch's struts and springs are visible from inside

Girling disc brakes were fitted as standard to the front wheels of all MkIII Astons, after the first 100 had been made. Many cars were upgraded later. Only five automatic cars were made from a total of 551.

A 1959 review by Road & Track magazine praised the car for everything but its $7,450 price. "A car for connoisseurs," they called it. "The Aston has many virtues and few faults." Among the faults was too-heavy steering effort, high door sills, and a stiff ride. Interestingly, R&T failed to comment at all on the car's innovative hatchback body style, complete with fold-down rear seats, although this had been first introduced in the 2/4 MkI in 1953.

Two Coupe variants of the Mark III were also produced. A Drophead Coupe convertible, while not common, still outnumbered the Fixed Head Coupe — 84 of the former were produced, while just five of the latter were built. All five Fixed Head Coupes feature the high-spec DBB engine, however. Both featured conventional hinged boot lids rather than the innovative hatch back.

James Bond drives an Aston Martin DB Mark III in the novel version of Goldfinger, though it is referred to as a "DB III" in the book. It is the only Bond car in the Ian Fleming novels to have gadgets installed. For the film, which came out a half-decade later, the car was updated to the Aston Martin DB5.

• DB Mark III: 551
  • Hatchback: 462
  • Drophead Coupe: 84
    • DBA: 68
    • DBB: 2
    • DBD: 14
  • Fixed Head Coupe: 5

• Aston Martin DB Mark III. AstonMartins.com. Retrieved on June 23, 2005.
• "Aston Martin Mark III". Road & Track (1959 Road Test Annual): 34–36. 

											Aston Martin and Lagonda road car timeline, 1948-present																																[edit]
Type	1940s		1950s										1960s										1970s										1980s										1990s										2000s
	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Grand tourer	DB1			DB2			DB2/4			DB Mk III										DBS/Vantage																										DB7 i6						DB7 Vantage						V8 Vantage
												DB4				DB5			DB6				V8																				Virage/V8														DB9
																														V8 Vantage																V8 Vantage								V12 Vanquish						DBS V12
Supercar														Zagato																									Zagato															Zagato			AR1
4-door	2.6-Litre					3-Litre								Rapide															Lagonda																															Rapide