Frank Feeley's cutaway-fendered works sports-racer — twice second at Le Mans and the DBR1's direct predecessor.
Designed by William Watson (with bodywork by Frank Feeley) to replace the unsuccessful DB3, the DB3S had a shorter wheelbase and lighter chassis; its 2,922 cc twin-cam straight-six produced around 180 bhp at 6,000 rpm (later works cars more), driving through a four-speed manual. Feeley's voluptuous body with cutaway front fenders is among the best-loved shapes of the era.
31 examples built between 1953 and 1956: 11 works/team cars (10 to Works spec plus one built to team specification in 1957 but not raced by the factory) and around 20 for privateers. Competition debut May 1953 at Charterhall (Reg Parnell beating the Ecurie Ecosse C-Types); wins followed at the British Empire Trophy, Charterhall, the Goodwood Nine Hours and the RAC Tourist Trophy. The DB3S finished second overall at Le Mans in 1955 and 1956 (Moss/Collins) and took 15 victories across 35 starts in four years of factory competition before the DBR1 replaced it in 1957.
A beautiful and successful 1950s works sports-racer; works cars are among the most coveted competition Astons.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB3S Works | 1953–1957 | 11 | Factory team cars (10 works-raced plus one built to team spec in 1957); twin-plug heads on some; the most valuable examples. |
| DB3S Customer | 1954–1956 | ~20 | Privateer cars; single-plug heads; some with later documented race history. |
Authenticate stamped chassis and engine numbers against factory or club records. For the DB3S specifically, authenticate works versus customer status against period records, confirm original chassis / engine / bodywork, note single- versus twin-plug head specification and record documented competition history.
Confirm body originality, panel identity and restoration standard against a marque specialist.
Confirm continuous service history and any rebuild history for the engine, transmission and driveline against a marque specialist.
Restoration standard, originality of body and driveline, and any documented ownership record are the main value drivers.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Individually negotiated; recent works-car estimates have reached $8.75–10.5m (RM Sotheby's Monterey 2019, unsold).
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
Works cars with continuous history sit in a separate, higher, individually negotiated market; customer cars with original chassis, engine and bodywork lead the banded tiers.
Authored against aggregate public-market data and named price guides as set out in What to Pay; regional readings are independent, not FX conversions.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-08-16 | Gooding & Company Pebble Beach 2014 | 1955 Aston Martin DB3S/111 — one of ~20 customer cars, offered with original engine block and significant documentation, over 40 years in the Forshaw Collection. Verified via Gooding & Company and contemporary reports (July 2026). | — | $5,500,000 Sold |
| 2012-08-17 | RM Auctions Monterey 2012 | 1955 Aston Martin DB3S/118 — original chassis, numbered engine and bodywork; the only privateer car fitted with a twin-plug head at the factory; 48 years with two known owners. Verified via RM Sotheby's own lot page (July 2026). | — | $3,685,000 Sold |
A beautiful and successful 1950s works sports-racer; works cars are among the most coveted competition Astons.
Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.
Get new buyer's guides and collector market intelligence delivered to your inbox. No spam. We respect your inbox.
The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
