For the first three James Bond novels, Ian Fleming put MI6’s finest at the wheel of a Bentley 4½-litre ‘Blower’. Of course, the on-screen character would become most associated with a Silver Birch Aston Martin DB5. Those two worlds would collide somewhat in the seventh book, Goldfinger. For the 1959 instalment, the author handed the secret agent a company car in the form of the DB Mark III. Fittingly, it was the last model from the marque to feature the straight-six engine designed by none other than W.O. Bentley.

A new wing-shaped grille, which became a hallmark of Aston Martin design thereafter, denoted the successor to the DB2/4. By now enlarged to 3 litres, the motor had also been reworked courtesy of recent hire, Tadek Marek. In standard form, the output was 162 brake horsepower. However, that figure could rise to almost 200 should customers select a twin exhaust and, sitting at the top of the tree, a Special Series engine badged DB/B, later DB/D.

The example offered here, chassis AM/300/3/1673, was one of just 47 cars to leave the factory with the more potent engine. An accompanying copy of the guarantee form records that this left-hand-drive DB Mark III was delivered new on 30 June 1959 configured in Black over Black Connolly hide. Notable features included front disc brakes and Alfin drums at the rear, while the car was further specified with Avon whitewall tyres for the chrome wheels, a locking glovebox, and wood-rimmed steering wheel.

Mr Jyrle V Moore of Prineville, Oregon is listed as the first owner. While there are gaps in the known history thereafter, the 2000 edition of the Aston Martin Owners Club Register shows that the car had remained in the United Sates and was, by then, under the care of an F Dreier. Two years later, an addendum to the guarantee form indicates that the DB Mark III was attended to by marque expert Kevin Kay Restorations of Redding, California. Changing hands again around 2010, chassis AM/300/3/1673 was acquired by The Best of British Collection in May 2014.

Currently presented in white over black, this DB Mark III would make be an ideal candidate for a complete restoration.