Guide: Aston Martin DB3S - Terry Thomas's "School for Scoundrels" Bellini
Background
Aston Martin chassis DB3S/5 was one of five DB3S constructed in 1953.
Built to contest a domestic and World Sportscar Championship programme, the new DB3S wore a beautiful Frank Feeley-designed body.
Chassis 5 was originally produced with an experimental shell manufactured from fibreglass instead of aluminium. It was destined for Aston Martin company owner David Brown to use as his personal transportation.
The new car was registered JAN 500 and Brown retained it until June 1954 at which point chassis 5 was commandeered by the competition department. A pair of DB3S had been heavily damaged at the Le Mans 24 Hours so chassis 5 was drafted in for service.
Aston Martin fitted chassis 5 with a new aluminium body and uprated the rest of it to the latest works specification.
The rebuilt car made its debut at Silverstone in the sports car race that supported the British Grand Prix. Roy Salvadori finished second in a famous Aston 1-2-3.
Chassis 5 also contested the 1954 Aintree International event prior to being used as a works car for 1955.
Throughout 1955 and 1956, it was driven by the like of Peter Collins, Reg Parnell, Stirling Moss and Roy Salvadori and became a multiple race-winning car.
Salvadori had actually bought chassis 5 at the end of 1955 but frequently lent it to the works team during 1956.
For 1957, chassis 5 was sold to Tommy Atkins who gave Graham Hill a one-off outing in the car.
In 1958, it went to Dennis Barthel who re-registered it PAP 625 and had the car maintained by Rob Walker’s Pippbrook Garage in Dorking. During this period, it was looked after by mechanic, Alan Overton.
At some stage, Barthel reputedly began an affair with Overton’s fiance and tragedy ensued when Overton borrowed the car for the Gosport Speed Trials in April 1958.
Having set fastest time in his class, Overton failed to lift the throttle after crossing the line. He ploughed the Aston Martin into the sea and died as a result.
Chassis 5 was retrieved and subsequently rebuilt with a new engine and spare body that had been sitting around at the Aston Martin factory. The latest body featured a unique front end that had been subtly reworked by Carrozzeria Touring in Milan.
Chassis 5 was then lent to the Associated British Picture Corporation to appear in the comedy “School for Scoundrels” that centred on hapless Henry Palfrey (Ian Carmichael) who enrolled at the School of Lifemanship in order to discover the secrets of success.
Competing with rotten cad, Raymond Delauney (Terry Thomas), for the affections of April Smith (Janette Scott), chassis 5 starred as the new Bellini and was brandished extensively throughout the film by Thomas’s character.
Produced in 1959 and premiered in London on 24th March 1960, “School for Scoundrels” went onto become the twelfth most popular film at the UK box office in 1960.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Associated British Picture Corporation
