9th Apr, 2025 12:00

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

 
Lot 27
 

1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkI

Estimated at £90,000 - £110,000

Lot details

Registration No: 121 LUE
Chassis No: LML 773
MOT: Exempt

  • Long term ownership since since May 2003
  • Meticulously maintained with a comprehensive history file
  • Enjoyed on many European tours with the AM Owners Club
  • Regularly serviced by specialists Roses Garage, Sandwich, Kent
  • 1 of 565 examples produced, finished in black over cream leather

Introduced at the October 1953 London Motor Show, the DB2/4 represented a new breed of longer-legged, more accommodating Aston Martin. Panelled in lightweight aluminium over an advanced tubular frame chassis, it featured independent front suspension via a sophisticated trailing link, 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. The 2.9 litre unit was credited with developing some 140bhp sufficient for a quoted 120mph top speed.

Coming from long term ownership, the vendor having acquired the car in May 2003, this DB2/4 is accompanied by a comprehensive history file which includes research into previous owners (eleven in total being identified to date) together with a fascinating record of works carried out (some even with mileage covered at the time) dating back to October 1954. Supplied new by dealer Martin Walters of Dover, whose plate remains inside the glove pocket, and assigned the registration mark TKM 13, the first recorded keeper was a John William Marsh. Seemingly retained by Mr Marsh until 1970, the car then change hands a few times in the early part of the decade before being acquired by a Richard Prentice in 1975 who kept it up until 1989. Sold at auction in 1990, it is thought a sum of c.£65,000 was paid by the new owner, Felicity Mary Henriques. Various mechanical works are recorded as being carried out during the mid 1990s including by specialists Tony Curtis and Aston Services Dorset, whilst the headlining was also renewed with West Of England cloth and new Wilton carpets fitted.

In 1997 the car passed to Patrick Mulligan who confirmed to the vendor some major mechanical work was completed during 2000/2001 along with a respray in black. Around £15,000 was invested but only around 200 miles covered in his ownership. In May 2003, 121 LUE was purchased by the vendor in whose ownership it has been enjoyed on numerous events, including European tours, with the AM Owners Club and maintained to a high standard. Since acquisition the car has been regularly serviced by specialists Roses Garage of Sandwich, Kent. The vendor’s research confirms the engine number VB 6J 249 and chassis number LML 713 to be original. 1 of 565 examples produced, it is attractively finished in black over cream leather.

For more information, please contact:
John Markey
john.markey@handh.co.uk
07943 584767

 

Auction: Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 9th Apr, 2025

An auction of classic, collector and performance motorcars to be held at the iconic and visually stunning Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Venue Details 

To enquire about entering your classic or performance car into the auction please call our sales office on 01925 210035, email sales@HandH.co.uk or click here: Enter Your Classic Motorcar 

All our professional valuations are complimentary and without obligation.

To take part in the live online bidding please click 'Register to Bid | Sign In' at the top of the page, alternatively, bidding can take place via our auction partners at Saleroom.com Saleroom.com

 

VIEW THE CATALOGUE

 

Viewing

Tues 8th April from 1pm
Wed 9th April from 9am

View all lots in this sale

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Sir Elton John’s former Aston Martin among notable lots hammered away at Duxford auction
H&H’s first motorcycle auction of 2025 achieves impressive sales rate
Brough Superior’s among star lots heading to H&H Classics motorcycle and scooter auction
‘Unique’ Ferrari ‘Wide Body’ prances to Cambridgeshire auction
Rocket Man’s ride rocks up for auction
Rare opportunity to own popular TV presenter’s scooter
H&H Classics ‘Season Opener’ enjoys noteworthy results
Last bike ridden by Hairy Biker Dave Myers to be auctioned
Over 90 eye-catching lots head to auction in H&H’s ‘Season Opener’
New venue among H&H Classics’ 2025 auction dates
Over 1,100 classics worth more than £14 million sold by H&H Classics in 2024
H&H Classics rounds off 2024 with strong performance
Relive blockbuster TV show Rivals by owning a ‘racy’ classic
Buxton auction has single ownership, rare and desirable classics going under the hammer
Quality and quantity represented at mammoth classic motorcycle auction
Quadrophenia album scooter with links to Pete Townsend and Liam Gallagher up for auction
H&H Classics last Cambridgeshire auction in 2024 sees ‘star’ results
Ducati delight as six superb examples from one collection go under the hammer
German engineering and style showcased at classic car auction
Norton’s first F1R ever produced up for auction
Best of British heads impressive collection of 160 classics for auction
Exciting new premises are close to hand for H&H Classics
X-press yourself…Jaguar purchased by Madonna could be yours to cherish
Oldest known surviving Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) car heads to auction
James Bond’s Vanquish available to ‘Drive Another Day’
Chalky’s actual Lambretta which featured in Quadrophenia heads for auction
Automobilia auction raises more than £194,000 with all 329 lots sold
Entire catalogue offered without reserve in one-off automobilia auction
Impressive results at latest H&H Classics auction
Dozens of ‘no-reserve’ classics head to auction
Recently restored Audi Quattro press car heads to auction
Classic motorcycle auction highlights buoyant market
Rare barn find stars in classic motorcycle auction
Highly original Jaguar SS100 flies away at Duxford sale
Modified classics add a twist to H&H’s next motorcycle sale
Century of motoring history represented at H&H auction
World’s biggest production pick-up truck roars to auction
Mercedes-Benz 500SL delivered new to Sir Stirling Moss heads to auction
Cars from the 1910s to the 2010s head to auction for Buxton sale
H&H’s motorcycle sales off to a flying start in 2024 with market-leading 88 percent sales rate
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction