1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1

Registration No: VWE 150
Chassis No: LML/1039
MOT: Exempt

• Supplied new via Charles Sidney Ltd to Geoffrey S.G. Shindler Esq
• Originally finished in Moonbeam Grey and first registered as 'VWE 150'
• Used for mild competition work with the Aston Martin Owners Club during the late 1980s and current ownership since 1998
• Affectionately known as 'Nellie'
• A comparatively late example fitted with the larger and more powerful 'VB6/J' 2.9 litre engine

"The Aston Martin DB2/4 is a sports car with a very definite appeal. It has full saloon car comfort, coupled with performance and roadholding of a very high order" (Autocar Magazine)

Introduced at the October 1953 London Motor Show, the DB2/4 represented a new breed of longer-legged, more accommodating Aston Martin. Some seven inches longer and a little taller than its predecessor, the fitting of a smaller seventeen gallon fuel tank (still good for circa 300 miles) plus some minor platform changes liberated enough room for two small seats to be positioned above the back axle. Visually distinguished by a one-piece windscreen and rear hatchback, the new model boasted such niceties as a telescopic steering column and adjustable backrests. Panelled in lightweight aluminium over an advanced tubular frame chassis, its independent front suspension featured a sophisticated trailing link, coil-sprung set-up tempered by an anti-roll bar, while at the rear a Panhard rod assisted radius arms in keeping the coil-sprung beam axle firmly tied down. Initially powered by a 2580cc version of the famous Willie Watson / W.O. Bentley designed DOHC straight-six engine, the adoption of a larger 83mm bore size saw capacity rise to 2922cc in mid 1954. Thanks to its increased size, the 2.9 litre unit was credited with developing some 140bhp and 178lbft of torque - outputs sufficient for a quoted 120mph top speed. Overshadowed by its racing DB3 / DB3S siblings, the model still enjoyed a successful competition career winning the team prize on the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally (interestingly, the factory also fielded a pair of DB2/4s for the Mille Miglia). Of the 565 MKIs made, just 448 are thought to have been two-door saloons.

According to its accompanying copy build record, chassis LML.1039 was supplied new via Charles Sidney Ltd of Westgate, Bradford to Geoffrey S.C. Shindler Esq of Sheffield on October 1^st 1955. Finished in Moonbeam Grey and benefiting from the larger 2.9 litre engine, the 2+2-seater was issued with the local number plate ‘VWE 150’. Belonging to F. Smith Esq of Sale Moor, nr Manchester by the early 1980s, he is understood to have used the Aston Martin for family holidays in North Wales before selling it to J.R. Eite Esq. of Lostock. The latter had the DB2/4 mechanically fettled (including fitting a new crankshaft) by Mike Entwistle of Entune Garage and resprayed by Fred Beresford & Son of Bolton, whilst its next keeper, Graham Wilkins Esq, undertook some light competition work. As well as completing the 1987 Beaujolais Run, he twice contested the Aston Martin Owners’ Club’s Wiscombe hillclimb. Treated to a new steering box by Feltham Aston Martin specialist Four Ashes Garage in 1988, the following decade saw the 2+2-seater benefit from a new cylinder block. Mr Wilkins also sourced new liners, pistons and valves etc and began to overhaul the engine only to decide that he ought to entrust it to a professional. Hence, an invoice on file from marque specialist A.J. Barnard Engineering issued during 1997 which details the unit being stripped and fitted with new bearings, gaskets and timing chains plus the grinding, polishing and balancing of the crankshaft etc. The engine rejuvenation was completed at an indicated 67,610 miles (circa 6,000 miles ago).

Entering the current family ownership in July 1998, the Aston Martin has been sparingly used over the past twenty-five years. The subject of a cylinder head overhaul shortly after acquisition, the DB2/4 was re-trimmed in Grey leather by G & G Sergent of Horsford, Norwich during 1999. Repainted in its original Moonbeam Grey hue, the 2+2-seater has been exhibited at various shows including ‘Classic & Sports Cars by the Lake’ and the Hevingham Hall Country Fair. Entrusted to Connaught Cars for maintenance in recent years, they carried out a full service (engine, gearbox and rear axle oil changes etc) as well as curing a steering box leak and installing a thermostat in April 2015. Further improvements were made during March 2021 in terms of replacing the front drum brakes (the original cracked Alfin drums come with the car), reconditioning the distributor, replacing the battery, changing the engine oil, greasing all the chassis points, rejuvenating the carburettors and installing new Pirelli Cinturato tyres all round. Starting readily upon inspection, ‘VWE 150’ is said to rev freely and have a notably sweet gearchange. The engine number stamped into the timing cover ‘VB6J/629’ matches the one quoted on the chassis plate and copy build record. Interestingly, Four Ashes Garage state Aston Martin considered the cylinder block to be an exchangeable service item and cite this as the reason that the engine number was carried by the timing cover rather than the block. Presenting as an older restoration but in seemingly ‘good overall’ condition, this handsome DB2/4 is potentially eligible for a host of prestigious events such as the Mille Miglia Storica. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, copy factory build record, various old MOTs dating back to 1984 (at an indicated 63,844 miles) and numerous invoices from Connaught Cars, Aston Service Dorset, Entune Garage and Four Ashes Garage etc.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737