1955 Aston Martin DB2/4

The Aston Martin 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. 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, primarily to obtain the W.O.Bentley designed, double overhead camshaft straight six, which he wanted as a replacement for the ageing Claude Hill four cylinder unit. He knew success in motor sport 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.

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.

We are delighted to offer this DB2/4 for the first time in over 40 years from a small private collection. Delivered to the supplying agent on the 17th November 1955, chassis #LML1004 was first registered in May 1956 and sold to metal fabrication company, W. H. Paul of Breaston, Derby sporting a Moonbeam Grey & red leather interior colour scheme. According to a copy of the build sheet contained within the history file, the car then changed hands and was acquired by Carr's Flour Mills of Stanwix, Carlisle, before spending a brief spell with a Major G.D.B. Reardon of Brasted, Kent who owned the car between 21st May 1963 and 27th February 1964. The next keeper was a Mr. J. G. Jakeman of Badgers Mount who then took the reins of this wonderful car. Interestingly, our vendor went to school with Mr. Jakeman's son and can recall many happy weekends spent riding in the back of the Aston from 1964 to 1970, so it was especially fitting that he was able to persuade Mr Jakeman to sell the car to him in 1976.

A freelance commercial artist by profession, our vendor used the car for 2 years in his early twenties to commute back and forth to London, regularly parking in the city centre and quite often leaving the car unlocked - unthinkable nowadays! Soon, home ownership, house improvements, and family life took priority and 'OJF 734' was relegated to the garage with the intention to repair its, then poor, condition at some point...

Fast forward 30 years, and after some cajoling from his children, our vendor decided in 2008 that it was finally time to bring the Aston back to life and a restoration was started. Fourways Engineering of Kent were employed to do all the bodywork and chassis repairs and paint the car over the course of the next 2 years. The car was resprayed in Aston Martin Racing Green and returned to our vendor as a painted rolling shell with all the glass fitted. A hands-on enthusiast himself, our vendor dismantled the engine, cleaned & checked all components, replaced the piston rings, fitted new gaskets and re-assembled the unit. Once complete, the engine was carefully put back into the car and our vendor undertook the re-trimming of the interior along with re-chroming all of the original brightwork. A photographic record of the restoration process is present, so one can fully appreciate how this car has been transformed and the end result can only be described as stunning.

With the odometer now reading what we believe to be the genuine mileage of 45,600 miles, this DB2/4 is supplied with a UK V5c, a host of invoices, its original buff log book, an original Aston Martin Instruction book, and the service manuals. This car still wears its given registration 'OJF 734', having never left the vehicle in its entire life! Representing fantastic value against later Aston Martin models this fine looking car is now ready to begin the next chapter of its life.