Lot details
Registration No: AS 2272
Chassis No: LML/50/214
Mot Expiry: Sep 2012

FORMER AMOC CONCOURS AWARD WINNER

"In sum, this latest Aston Martin is a car of superlatively high performance, great docility, comfortable suspension, and unusual road-holding powers which must lend lustre not only to the name of Aston Martin and David Brown, but also to the British automobile industry as a whole" (The Motor magazine).

Born out of a Le Mans prototype racer, the sensational Aston Martin DB2 was first shown at the April 1950 New York Motor Show. Somewhat Italianate, its gorgeous two-door fixed-head coupe bodywork was penned by the renowned pre-WW2 Lagonda stylist Frank Feeley. Based around a sophisticated tubular chassis frame that boasted independent trailing-link front suspension and a coil-sprung beam rear axle (located via trailing arms and a Panhard rod), the newcomer was powered by a 2580cc DOHC straight-six engine. Designed by Willie Watson (with input from W.O. Bentley), this advanced powerplant was initially credited with developing 105bhp @ 5,000rpm (a figure which had risen to 125bhp by 1953). Equipped with four-speed manual transmission and large-diameter drum brakes as standard, the model provided ample room for two people plus luggage. A refined yet quick grand tourer (The Motor magazine extracted 117mph from a 1953 car), the DB2 also proved itself in the heat of competition with class wins at the Ulster TT, Le Mans 24-hours, Mille Miglia and International Alpine Trial. Only in production from 1950 until 1953, just 411 are thought to have left Aston Martin's Feltham premises.

This particular example - chassis number LML/50/214 - was supplied new to Miss Lorna Hendry of Beachans Farm, Dunphail, Morayshire and road registered as `AS 2272' on 13th April 1953. The subject of an extensive restoration by marque specialists Four Ashes Garage Ltd during the early 1990s, the DB2 subsequently collected a number of awards at various Aston Martin Owners Club meetings including the Silverstone Concours (1994: 3rd Newcomers' class, 1995: 2nd-in-class), Birtsmorton Court Concours (1994: 2nd-in-class), Bad Neuenahr (1995: 1st-in-class) and Loseley Park Concours (1995: 1st-in-class). Belonging to Jonathan Anderson Esq. of The Old Rectory, Diss from May 1993 until October 2002 when it entered the Litchfield Collection via Old English Classics, `AS 2272' was despatched to Aston Martin's Works Service facility some two months later for a full inspection. The resultant report remains on file but Mr Litchfield chose to have much of the remedial fettling it suggested carried out by Andy Chapman Classics Ltd of Kings Bromley, Staffordshire.

As well as an engine overhaul (new cylinder liners, pistons, bearings, inlet / exhaust valves, manifolds), the saloon had attention paid to its twin SU carburettors, front hubs, suspension (new springs all round, refurbished lever arm dampers), cooling system, propshaft, brakes, pedal box, steering box, differential, clutch and gearbox etc. Accompanying invoices indicate that the work cost £28,431.03 and took some six months to complete (April 2003 - October 2003). Starting readily upon inspection, `AS 2272' is understood to have been regularly MOT tested but little used over the last eight years. Finished in Dark Blue with Petrol Blue leather upholstery and riding on silver painted wire wheels, this handsome, former concours award winning Aston Martin DB2 is offered for sale with copy build sheet, reproduction instruction book, Works Service report, Four Ashes Garage Ltd letter, Andy Chapman Classics Ltd invoices and assorted marque literature.