Black beauty. Rare classic Aston Martin convertible now available at Nicholas Mee

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Delivered new in May 1958, one of only two DB Mk III Drophead Coupés specified with DBB engines: the ultimate open-top Aston Martin road car of the time and quite possibly the sole remaining example.
The Aston Martin DB Mk III was in production from March 1957 to July 1959.
In the original Ian Fleming James Bond novel ‘Goldfinger’, 007 drove an Aston Martin DB Mk III, referred to in the book as a ‘DB III’.
The model introduced the signature radiator grille found on all later Aston Martins including the DB5. It can be seen today on the new DB12.
Only 85 convertibles – ‘Drophead Coupés’ in Aston-speak – were made. Listed at £3,451 (with tax) in 1958, they were nearly double the price of a £1,861 Jaguar XK 150 DHC.
The most powerful engine available for the Mk III was known internally at Aston Martin as the ‘DBB’. With three Weber carburettors, a higher compression ratio, special camshafts and twin exhausts, the ‘DBB’ produced 195bhp. A standard car boasted a more modest 162bhp. Works Aston Martin driver Roy Salvadori recorded a 0-60mph time of 8.2 seconds in a DBB-equipped Mk III – nearly two seconds faster than a regular model.