1953 Aston Martin DB3S

Factory-built and campaigned as a works entry across multiple championship rounds; rebuilt with new chassis and body late in 1954 following accumulation of race damage.

Purchased at a substantially reduced price on the condition it could be recalled for works duty; registered the car under the plate UDV 609, which it retains today.

Campaigned the car competitively in 1956, achieving victories at two circuits before retiring from an endurance race at Montlhéry.

Scored several victories in smaller events during his single season of ownership before passing the car on.

Used the car only occasionally in 1958 then consigned it for sale through the Chequered Flag garage.

Converted the car for practical road use by adding a full windscreen, a passenger door, and a cigar lighter; retained the car for over two decades and is credited with preserving it during a period when many comparable vehicles deteriorated.

Acquired the car after eight years of persistent negotiation with Gale; noted as having owned more examples of this model than any other individual, and undertook restoration to original works specification.

Parnell was at the wheel when the car was eliminated; Peter Collins was the intended co-driver but never got a turn before retirement.

Collins drove the car at Silverstone, contributing to an all-Aston Martin podium finish.

Parnell co-drove with Eric Thompson; the car was deliberately set up as the pace-setter to break the Jaguar C-Types, finishing two laps clear of the nearest rival in third.

Parnell and Thompson co-drove despite a slipping clutch; the result was sufficient to place Parnell second in the unofficial drivers' standings, ahead of Fangio, Moss, and Walker.

Parnell shared driving with Roy Salvadori; retired past the halfway point.

Parnell and Salvadori co-drove; Parnell retired after 24 laps but was awarded a special trophy for his efforts in pushing the car back to the pits.

Parnell was accompanied by photographer Louis Klemantaski; a hard-compound tyre choice proved unsuitable in wet conditions and the car hit road debris near L'Aquila.

Collins started with Pat Griffith as co-driver in his final race; Collins ran as high as fourth before mechanical retirement.

Closely contested against Masten Gregory in a 4.5-litre Ferrari 375 MM, which won by two seconds; Collins finished well clear of Parnell and the rest of the field.

Collins suffered a loose differential yet completed the event behind the latest works Aston Martins and several D-Types.

David Brown entered Collins alongside Salvadori in the sister car; Collins never reached the start due to engine failure during practice.

Collins charged through the field against works entries from Aston Martin and Ferrari, finishing close behind Parnell and Hawthorn; considered his final outing in the car.

Kyffin shared driving duties with Ken Wharton.

Following damage sustained across several events in 1954, John Wyer commissioned DB3S/2 to be rebuilt with an entirely new chassis and body; the replacement body featured one of Frank Feeley's most celebrated nose designs combined with the high-tail coupe rear.

This rebuild was standard practice for the works DB3Ss at the time; of the ten works cars, one was scrapped and four received similar treatment.

A full windscreen, a passenger door, and a cigar lighter were added to make the car more practical for road use.

Modifications carried out during George Gale's ownership.

The car was returned to its original works specification following acquisition by Richard Forshaw.

Forshaw had owned more DB3Ss than any other individual and was well placed to undertake an accurate works-specification restoration.