1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 3 Litre Saloon

The Aston Martin DB2/4 was launched in October 1953 and offered two body styles. A sporting 2+2 hatchback and an open Drophead Coupe. Although similar to the DB2 it replaced, changes included a smaller fuel tank, rear suspension upgrade, wraparound windscreen, larger bumpers, and repositioned headlights. A number of special bodied cars were also produced by Italian coachbuilders Carrozzeria Allemano, Bertone and Vignale who were commissioned at special request by private clients. David Brown had purchased the Lagonda company a few years earlier in order to obtain the W.O.Bentley designed double overhead camshaft straight six, that he wanted as a replacement for the Claude Hill four cylinder unit. He knew success on the race track would benefit sales and used the 2.6 litre six cylinder unit to power the works DB2's which were campaigned at Le Mans and across Europe throughout the early 1950s.The DB2/4 engine was initially tuned to 125bhp, propelling the car to 120mph and 0-60mph in 11.2 seconds. However, in Summer of 1954 the capacity was increased from 2,580cc to 2,992cc, which raised power to 140bhp at 5,000rpm and reduced the 0-60mph time to 10 seconds dead. The Autocar described the DB2/4 in October 1953 as: "an expensive car designed to cater for the connoisseur of sports cars who is not limited by financial considerations.... a car of rare quality, unusual performance, exceptional road worthiness and unrivalled versatility." UUM 151 was first registered on 4th October 1954 and boasts a later VB6/J 3-litre original engine. Fist supplied to Newcastle-On-Lyne, it passed through a handful of owners until the it was taken off the road in the 1960s following the untimely death of its last owner. An MoT Test Certificate dated from 1966 suggests that the car has not been on the road since. This wonderfully original car was discovered by its current owner in a barn approximately four years ago and exhumed for restoration. As a skilled mechanical engineer, the vendor set about rebuilding the car back to its former glory. Over the last three years the following jobs have been completed. The vendor took the car back to bare metal and resprayed the car in Oxford Blue. The seats were reupholstered and new headlining and carpets fitted. New chrome was fitted throughout along with a new windscreen. Mechanical works included new brakes, oil filter, suspension arms and links, a new wiring loom and new plugs, points and hoses. However, the car has not been run for any extended period since the 1960s and the vendor is unable to guarantee the health of the engine. A photographic record of the car documents the various stages of the rebuild. UUM 151 is supplied with its original buff log book and an MoT test certificate. After nearly 50 years off the road, this DB2/4 has been rebuilt with great care and attention and represents fantastic value when compared to later DB4s, DB5s or DB6s.