Occasionally I find myself wondering what it would be like to own a right-hand drive car in the United States as I’d never driven one until just this past week. It usually comes to mind after seeing a British car I admire—or more often these days—spotting a rare car imported from Japan. After having the chance to pilot my clients’ right-hand drive 1998 Land Rover Defender 90 Wolf to a car event last weekend, I can’t get the idea out of my head. I’ve been asking myself: “What car would I own where right-hand drive would just make sense?”

Coincidentally, Iain Tyrrell recently profiled an Aston Martin DB4 on his channel. It was a beautiful Caribbean Blue Pearl example and right-hand drive, of course. Iain referred to it as the “Bond car that wasn’t” which reminded me that the actual Bond car that wasn’t is the Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mk III. It’s also today’s Good Find Friday feature car. 

Iain noted that the DB5—which made its debut in the film Goldfinger—is actually a modified DB4, the preceding model. As the brand new DB5 was not yet actually available for production, the film used a number of DB4s altered to appear as though they were the forthcoming car.

In the novel Goldfinger, however, James Bond drives what Fleming calls a “DB III.” As the DB3 is a pure race car and highly impractical for a secret agent, it is assumed that Fleming is referring to the DB Mark III. 

The DB Mark III replaced the DB 2/4 Mark II and featured numerous upgrades over the previous model including more power, an improved gearbox and better brakes. Perhaps most importantly to some, the hallmark shape of Aston Martin’s front grill and instrument panel first appeared on the Mark III. 

Today’s good find Friday car is this 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark III on sale by Classics 2 Drive, a dealer in Belgium. Painted in a very dark shade of blue over a gray stone-colored interior and priced at a very reasonable €198,000, this particular Mark III stood out among others currently on offer.

The DB Mark III is the ultimate development of the DB2 which debuted all the way back in 1949. The DB2’s somewhat awkward and very non-Aston-like front end is nicely accented by the redesigned front grill. A plus for the Mark III is that it’s unmistakably an Aston Martin, whereas the earlier car’s could easily be confused for any number of other British classics.

Carried over from the DB2 is the hatchback rear design, something eliminated in favor of a traditional trunk for the DB4 and DB5. Apparently there has been much debate over the years as to whether Aston Martin pioneered the hatchback on a production car when it was introduced on the DB2/4 in 1953.

Inside, the dashboard design was all-new for the Mk III and should certainly be familiar to fans of Bond’s Aston, as the dash in the DB5 is essentially the same general design seen here.  The lovely Smiths gauges can be seen just behind a lovely three-spoke steering wheel with wood rim and black central horn button.

The interior color is unusual and must be quite lovely in bright light when the dark blue paint color is more apparent. Seating surfaces in stone gray color are set off by contrasting cooler gray carpeting. The rear seating area is remarkably similar to something you’d see on the Porsche 356 or 911, with minimal seat bases and seat back that lowers to increase cargo capacity.

Under the clamshell bonnet sits a 2.9L W.O. Bentley-designed straight six that was massaged by the famous Tadek Marek before he moved on to designing the DBR2 engine used in later Astons. Twin SU carburetors, as fitted on this car here, were standard but an upgrade to triple carbs was available which, when mated to a dual exhaust, produced 180hp. 

The gearbox was a 4-speed manual with an optional overdrive and has been described as slow but precise. Limited-slip differentials are a popular modern modification to improve grip in the wet.

The DB2/4 Mark III and earlier Astons seem to be overlooked by collectors who typically prize the DB4, 5 and 6 as the cars to own. As a result, the DB Mark III is often priced much lower than those models in the marketplace.

The average Aston Martin DB5 will bring anywhere from $500,000 in project form to upwards of $1 million US. A DB2/4 Mark III in this condition would typically be priced in the $250,000 range, making this one priced to sell, in my opinion.  Including importation, you’d be all in for just about $220,000 to purchase this beauty.

Yes, it is strange to sit on the opposite side of the car when driving in the United States. Left hand turns are pretty tricky, as are lane changes for passing. You’ll be driving in the gutter the first time until you learn where the center of the road is from your shifted vantage point. Overall, it’s really not that bad and if the mailman can do it, so can you.

It’s a small price to pay to be able to answer “What kind of car is that?” with “This is Bond’s Aston!”

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. We also provide importation services. Give us a call or drop us a line!