DB3 Fixedhead Coupe
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DB3 Fixedhead Coupe

DB3 Fixedhead Coupe

(1953}

The DB3 Fixedhead Coupe would in many people eyes, take the prize as perhaps the least attractive Aston Martin of all time. Some might even be grateful that only a single car, chassis DB3/7, was built. Other DB3's did at one time or another have coupe coachwork, but chassis DB3/7 was the only example built as a coupe from new. The first owner decided on closed coachwork both for aerodynamic reasons and comfort during long endurance sports car races.

DB3 Fixedhead Coupe

There is a suggestion in an early edition of the AMOC club magazine that the first owner, Tom Meyer, had added the ‘home-made’ body although exactly who did make the coachwork is not actually known. It certainly does not follow the styling of the regular open DB3 in any way.

Following participation in the Spa 12 hours, Goodwood 9 hours and the Mille Miglia, the owner sold the car through HWM in 1954. DB3/7 was purchased by Angela Brown, daughter of David Brown. Initially the car had an unsightly rectangular grille but Angela Brown has a new bonnet fitted with a similar oval intake. The car retains the same bonnet to this day.

With a 2.9 litre engine tuned to give 175 bhp, the DB3 Fixedhead Coupe was claimed capable of a maximum speed of 140 mgh, some 10 mph more than the open car. One rather charming period feature was a walnut dashboard with a range of special instruments. Again, these still remain fitted to the car.

DB3/7, as with other DB3’s was road registered, with the UK plate NXY23 although their natural place remains on the race track. The unique fixedhead coupe was photographed at Silverstone during the Historic Festival in 2008.