At the end of the 1960s, Aston Martin needed a new, sportier model to complement the DB6. Having rejected a possibility of collaboration with Carrozzeria Touring, Aston approved William Towns' proposal for a berlinetta with simple and modern lines. The DB S, introduced in 1967, derived from the base of the DB6; equipped with the 282 horsepower 3995cc engine, it was also offered in the Vantage version, with 325 horsepower. The DB S was produced until 1972 in 1193 examples; in May 1972 the initials DB disappeared from the initials and the only version produced, for another year, was the Vantage, in about seventy units.