Vehicle Description
-Aston Martin Racing Green, Green leather seats, 2.9 liter inline
six cylinder engine, 4 -Speed manual transmission, exceptional
condition unique history, Tool room "R" Recreation.
The genesis of this car begins with Mr. Bill Monk, and the Aston
Martin Factory Works Racer, DB3S/10. Mr. Monk had a long and
illustrious history racing and rebuilding period Aston Martin
racing and road cars - not the least of which, ownership of Factory
Works racing car DB3S/10.
DB3S/10 was famously owned by both David Brown and Peter Livanos
and is the example for which this homage is most closely modeled.
Mr. Monk, owned DB3S/10 in 1965 and used it as a weekend racer as
well as a family car, regularly seen driving around in it with his
wife and three small children.
In the mid-1970's DB3S/10 was sold to Paul Vestey and later to Lord
Anthony Bamford - and in 1980 Mr. Monk again purchased DB3S/10,
after it had sustained substantial crash damage. At this time Monk
set out to rebuild DB3S/10 and decided to return it to its original
configuration, as raced by Roy Salvadori it its maiden race at
Rouen in 1956, where it placed 5th. The car was thoroughly enjoyed
by Monk throughout the early 1980's with original livery and
details, such as the wrap-around windscreen and the metal tonneau
cover, quickly converting it to a single seat racer - details which
he would later incorporate into his Tool Room Copy, DB3S/10 R.
By 1984 DB3S/10 had new stateside ownership with Mr. Peter Sanders
of Atlanta, Ga. It was during this era that Mr. Sanders campaigned
the car at an array of U.S. tracks, such as Watkins Glen. The car
attracted the attention of many racing car connoisseurs, not the
least of which, Mr. Peter Livanos, who promptly offered to purchase
the Works racer, to no avail. By the end of 1984, Sanders had
crashed 3/S10 and it was decided to send it back to the U.K for
Bill Monk to once again repair and restore to perfection. While the
car was in the U.K. Livanos finally persuaded Sanders to sell the
car.
Monk having unlimited access to this fantastic specimen, decided to
utilize the opportunity and go about taking steps to create the
ultimate homage to the historic Works racer - thus DB3S/10 R was
born. Having rebuilt the 3S/10 twice already, Monk had intimate
knowledge of the car, which accounts for the accuracy of details
throughout.
Under Livanos' ownership, DB3S/10 was contracted to Aston Martin
legend, Rex Woodgate who was asked to carry out a complete overhaul
and restoration of the car. All body restoration was carried out by
master craftsman, Clive Smart, who later was contracted to likewise
carry out fabrication of body panels for the gorgeous recreation,
3S/10 R.
The Creation of 3S/10 R utilized a 1958 DB2/4 Mk III identity
(original log book included) and carries the matching chassis,
engine and transmission numbers today. The car had an absolutely
correct chassis that was modified to mirror DB3S/10 with its
De-Dion rear axle and unique to 3S/10, wishbone and coil over front
suspension. The engine would be a modified 3 liter single plug
(Works DB3S's used a twin plug cylinder head), 3 Weber carburetor
variant, and also proved ideal for the project. Many elements of
the build were identical to DB3S/10 and were bespoke fabricated
from original patterns and drawings as required. The bodyshell was
made from 16 ga. H14 aluminum and includes the half-tonneau also in
aluminum, so that it can be used as a single seat racer or a used
as a two seat tourer with a full width wrap-around windscreen. The
car features countless exacting details such as correct dash and
instruments, steering wheel and trim, interior layout and the
fantastic wrap around windscreen. When Mr. Monk was asked by Clive
Nixon (author of the definitive book on the DB3S), to supply photos
of his cars, Monk mischievously sent a photo of a bare chassis of
DB3S/10 R, which Nixon assumed to be an original car, see
photos.
Ownership history of 3S/10 R forward of Monk's completion and
running in of the car continued with Mr. G.S Rombouts of Belgium -
Circa 1984-1998 and Rombouts subsequently passed the car along to
Prof. Merrick Taylor, who kept 3S/10 R from 1998 until 2012.
Professor Taylor was a respected businessman and motoring
enthusiast who regularly campaigned 3S/10 R in Historic races and
Rallies. After Taylor's passing, 3S/10 R was sold to the UK and Mr.
Roy Kent. Shortly thereafter it appeared at the 72nd Goodwood
Members meeting in 2014, after a several years absence on the
motoring scene.
In 2014 3S/10 R was purchased by Tom Papadopoulos. Prior to it
return to the United States and its new enthusiastic new ownership,
3S/10 R was once again consigned to the Woodgates. On this
occasion, it was entrusted to second generation master craftsman,
Chris Woodgate to lead the project.
3S/10 R was comprehensively reconditioned and rebuilt as needed,
all invoices and photo documentation is included. The Woodgates
would go through the car thoroughly, per the specifications of
Autosport Designs principal, Tom Papadopoulos - and while in the
hands of the capable Woodgates, every aspect of 3S/10 R would be
refreshed for Historic Tours and Vintage Racing events. Chris went
about a rebuild of the engine, starting with new lower end
bearings, newly ground and balanced crankshaft, matched piston set
and a completely reworked and rebuilt single plug cylinder head.
The transmission was thoroughly reconditioned with new bearings,
synchros, test assembled and fully checked for correct actuation,
then reassembled and resealed. A new lightened flywheel and clutch
assembly were utilized and the entire driveline was duly torn down,
inspected and rebuilt as needed - including: Spline shafts,
differential and the De-Dion assembly rebuilt with new bushes and
bearings throughout. New brake rotors, calipers, hoses and rigid
brake lines were fitted along with a rebuilt master cylinder.
Suspension components were exhaustively sorted, resealed,
repainted, bushings replaced - as were all hub bearings. Additional
work to the steering and chassis included a complete rebuild of the
steering rack and a refitting of the fuel tank to a more
centralized point in the chassis. All fuel hoses and fuel pipes in
the car were renewed and the fuel pump was changed to a more
efficient S.U. electronic unit. Weber DCOE carburetors were
Ultrasonic cleaned, rebuilt and tuned to the new engine spec. Chris
inspected the wiring loom throughout the chassis and dashboard,
where he rerouted, rebuilt and simplified most sections of the
loom, paying special attention to addressing details such as the GP
style dashboard switchgear and instruments. In all, the Woodgate
tenure produced a car ready for regular touring use and or
competition.
Today DB3S/10 R has been kept within the Papadopoulos collection
and has been properly and carefully run in and has accrued
approximately 2,000 miles during seasonal use since all work has
taken place.
This is an opportunity to own one of the finest, if not the most
exacting and accurate, painstakingly built, carefully restored
Aston Martin replicas ever created. Its provenance and build
quality is on par with original cars and would be a
formidable-costly undertaking to replicate today.
DB3S-10 R has been routinely serviced regardless of use and
continuously refresh where needed to keep in its current
exceptional condition.
The car is ready for immediate road and rally use, and with a
modest detail of modifications for FIA eligibility, making it a
contender for countless Historic Racing, Concours and Rally events
worldwide.
