Her Majesty's DBS Rounds the Last Lap!
Gebruder Gumbold
San FranciscoPosts: 551MI6 Agent
Dear Friends,
This New Year's Eve I sat at my desk to complete the formal application to enter Her Majesty's DBS in the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance in August. This concours is the premiere automotive event, capping off the Monterey Car Week which draws the very best cars and enthusiasts from around the world. My dream began on Christmas Eve 1974 (50 years ago!) when I saw OHMSS as an 11 year old, and I fell in love not only with Mrs. Peel (who didn't?) and that sleek, Olive coloured Aston Martin DBS. Took over 30 years of saving, wanting, and dreaming, and now she will emerge from the workshop that she was towed into in January of 2016 following the vandalism, as the car that I always imagined her to be. Years of researching every nut, bolt, and cog has led her to this point. In a way, all of you have helped me though your kind words and motivating messages. She's not yet running, but I am an exhaust system and fuel pump away from Vrooom.
This Pebble Beach situation began at the 24 "Astons on the Ave" event, where a fellow Aston enthusiast Scott M, with an immaculate QOS spec DBSV12 was showing his car, and began a conversation with a German gentleman who later confided that he was a Pebble Beach judge, and bemoaned the lack of knowledge of cars on the field by the write-a-check exhibitors. He was looking to find an owner restored Aston for the 2025 Concours. Scott immediately texted me about this chap, as I was in the workshop at the time, slaving away on the DBS. He put me in touch with this lovely feller, who just happens to be on the Selection Committee! So, that is where we are, and my application is in the hands of the Committee. I hope that they see the value of this car, as a fine example of a correct and original S1 DBS,with the OHMSS tie in a bonus! She will be a crowd pleaser indeed!
It was a job getting to this point, as earlier in December I had a nasty disc flareup in my neck- 2 bulging discs, that rendered my right hand numb and useless. Several chiro visits and a fun spinal injection later, and I am 75% functional. Had to do a bit of photoshop to the workshop area, as it had been storming here all week, and the deadline for photos was imminent. I wrote to the committee that I would send additional completed photos later for their perusal. They have a provision for cars under restoration, and that owner restored cars get a bit more understanding. You can just see on the wall beside the DBS my 8x10 gallery of reference and motivational photos.
Who needs a bonnet when you have such an attractive inline 6 engine with 3 twin choke Webers, all of the Bolognese manufacture? (matching numbered DCOE9 carburettors)
Well, that is it for now, and stay tuned for photos and a video of the completed car, near the end of February. Thank you again to my AJB friends for the kind support throughout this build. Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2025!
Tom
Comments
Just gorgeous. I'm so incredibly envious!
She is looking amazing! Fantastic work, can’t wait to see the finished photos. 👋👋👋