1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drop Head Coupé

Successful industrialist David Brown had bought the struggling Aston Martin concern in 1946, having seen a 'High Class Motor Business' advertised for sale in The Times newspaper with an asking price of £30,000. The following year he had purchased the Lagonda company, primarily to obtain the W.O.Bentley designed, double overhead camshaft straight six, which he wanted as a replacement for the aging Claude Hill four cylinder unit. He knew success in motorsport would benefit sales, and used the 2.6-litre, six-cylinder unit to power the works DB2s which were campaigned at Le Mans and across Europe throughout the early 1950s. Announced in April 1950, with production commencing the following month, the 'DB Mark II' owed much to the Claude Hill-designed 'Two Litre Sports' (latterly known as the 'DB1') using a shortened and modified version of the latter's tubular chassis and identical suspension, which was independent at the front for the first time in an Aston Martin. Italian-inspired, the timelessly elegant GT bodywork was the creation of Frank Feeley, and with more power (105bhp at 5,000rpm) and less weight, the sleek DB2 comfortably out-performed its predecessor. Aston Martin's three works entries for the 1949 Le Mans 24 Hours race were effectively prototypes of the forthcoming DB2.

The DB2/4 was launched from Feltham in October 1953 and was offered as a sporting 2+2 hatchback or an open Drophead Coupé. Although similar to the DB2 it replaced, changes included a smaller fuel tank, rear suspension upgrade, wraparound windscreen, larger bumpers, and repositioned headlights. We understand that there were only 102 examples of the DHCs built, 56 for the home market, and 46 in left-hand drive for overseas. 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. 

The DB2/4 engine (VB6J) was initially tuned to 125bhp, propelling the car to 120mph and 0-60mph in 11.2 seconds. However, in the 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." - a description that, I suspect, Aston Martin would be proud to have applied to any of their current models.

Supplied to our vendor in 2016, this wonderful example spent its early life in the US where it was initially registered to a W Weiss on 20th July 1954. The file also contains details of its subsequent US owners as well as substantial history of its recommissioning by Aston Martin New England in 2014. The accompanying Factory Build Sheet confirms that it's a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, left-hand-drive coupé originally finished in Old English White with a red Connolly leather interior and optioned from new with Alfin brake drums, Le Mans headlamps, a driver's door arm rest, full tool kit, a lockable lid on the glove box, and a 'wireless'.

The Chassis Number was illegible to the naked eye, however, a surface magneto-optical scan confirmed that the number was #LML 736, matching the build sheet, and the casting number on the engine block is #56742 which corresponds to the new 3.0-litre variant supplied for the DB2/ 4 Mk1 from 1954, again matching the build sheet. Furthermore, the engine number VB6J 172 is stamped on the timing cover which confirms the original engine and front cover and the Aston still displays its original Feltham alloy chassis plate and patent plate.

The car has undergone a colour change at some point in its past, from the original OEW to British Racing Green, and the interior has been reupholstered in tan hide to a very high standard during our vendors ownership, including the fitment of rear seatbelts to allow him to safely enjoy the car with his family. It's accompanied by an original DB2/4 Instruction Book, Service Manual, Spares and Parts booklet, a Concours d' Elegance plate from 1992, number plates from its time in Illinois, and still retains its US-fitted, push button radio.

The DB2/4 is a car of such rarity that they typically create something of a stir in the market place, and offered as this example is at a competitive guide for a car of this quality, we would expect to see it generate serious interest from around the world.