VIN: the Tom Meyer Aston Martin DB3 chassis 7
History of chassis DB3/7
Chassis 7 was one of five DB3s supplied to customers in 1953. By this time, the works team had moved on to the new Aston Martin DB3S.
Uniquely built as a Coupe, chassis 7 was sold to enthusiastic amateur racing driver, Tom Meyer.
The pale green Aston would replace Meyer’s HWM Alta which had been attractively converted into a sports car to enable it to race at the Mille Miglia and Goodwood 9 Hours.
Where the design for number 7’s body originated is a mystery; its unfortunate appearance looked like an assemblage of features from unrelated cars. Nevertheless, the machine clearly suited Meyer’s requirement for a lightweight Coupe on a British chassis and he wasted no time getting out on track.
Three major endurance races were contested in 1953: the Spa 24 Hours, Pescara 12 Hours and Goodwood 9 Hours. Together with co-driver, Philip Fotheringham-Parker, Meyer posted a DNF at Spa and twelfth overall at Goodwood. For the Pescara race, he and fellow DB3 owner, Tony Gaze, took third in class.
Meyer’s 1954 campaign was cut short when the Aston was damaged in the season-opening Mille Miglia.
Once repaired, Meyer raced chassis 7 twice more, both times in Sweden.
He picked up fifth at Skarpnack (September 5th) and fourth at Karlskoga (October 3rd), after which the car was advertised for sale with Aston Martin main dealer, HWM of Walton-on-Thames.
It found a buyer in David Brown’s daughter, Angela.
Prior to being used in a handful of 1955 club events, chassis 7’s nose was modified with an oval grille, re-profiled wings and more neatly integrated front fascia.
Angela Brown used the now dark green car on three occasions before selling it to a private UK owner in December 1955.
Notable History
Sold to Tom Meyer, UK
Registered NXY 23
26/07/1953 WSC Spa 24 Hours (T. Meyer / P. Fotheringham-Parker) DNF (#20)
15/08/1953 IND Pescara 12 Hours (T. Meyer / T. Gaze) 3rd 2.0+ class (#??)
22/08/1953 IND Goodwood 9 Hours (T. Meyer / P. Fotheringham-Parker) 12th oa, 7th S2.0+ class (#15)
02/05/1954 WSC Mille Miglia (T. Meyer / H. O'Hara Moore) DNF accident (#612)
05/09/1954 IND Skarpnacksloppet (T. Meyer) 5th oa (#??)
03/10/1954 IND Kanonloppet, Karlskoga (T. Meyer) 4th oa (#??)
Sold to Angela Brown, UK
25/06/1955 IND Snetterton (A. Brown) 2nd oa, 1st S3.0 class (#21)
13/08/1955 IND Silverstone Unlimited Sports (A. Brown) 3rd oa (#3)
17/09/1955 IND Oulton Park Unlimited Sports (A. Brown) 4th oa (#11)
12/1955 sold
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
