1935 Aston Martin MK II 1.5 Litre Short Chassis 2/4 Seater
Lot 56
1935 Aston Martin MK II 1.5 Litre Short Chassis 2/4 Seater
Sold for £69,750
(including buyers premium)
Lot details Registration No: BXR 432 Chassis No: A5/543/S Mot Expiry: Feb 2008
"It's a combination of features which puts the 'Aston' where it is among the world's finer high performance cars. Just as a work of art stands or falls as a whole, so does this machinery appeal as a unit. Each feature which a really good high performance car must have is right and the merging of them is something special" (Autocar magazine, September 1935)
Introduced in January 1934, the Aston Martin MKII was a more sophisticated design than its predecessors. Constructed using tapering channel-section side members, the newcomer's ladder frame chassis was further reinforced via an additional crossmember and enlarged aluminium bulkhead. Rotated through ninety-degrees its twin Hartford friction shock absorbers exerted greater control over the front axle, while the use of large-diameter cable-operated Alfin drums all round meant that braking remained a dynamic strongpoint. Boasting a stiffer, fully counterbalanced crankshaft, redesigned cylinder head, Silentbloc mounts and new chain tensioner, the familiar 1494cc SOHC four-cylinder engine was both smoother and more powerful than before. Developing some 73bhp @ 5,200rpm in standard tune, it was allied to four-speed manual transmission and endowed the model with a top speed of up to 85mph. Available in either short- (8ft 7in) or long-wheelbase (10ft 0in) guises and with a generous choice of open or closed coachwork, the MKII was visually distinguished by its thermostatically controlled radiator shutters. Only in production until December 1935, just 166 are thought to have left the Feltham Works (including twenty 'Ulster' specification cars).
Finished in black with beige leather upholstery, this particular short chassis example is described by the vendor's agent as being in "good" condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres (though, he rates the interior trim as "average"). First registered in London (or so its number plate would imply), 'BXR 432' is thought to have undergone some restoration work during the 1960s. Apparently sold to its previous keeper - a motorcycle collector - by Judy Hogg in the late 1980s, the Aston was put into dry storage shortly thereafter. Awakened from fifteen years slumber by Ecurie Bertelli, it was treated to new king pins, bushes and brake linings as well as a thorough service, fluid change and radiator flush before entering the current ownership in October 2004. Although plans to run it at Classic Le Mans fell by the wayside, the past few years have nevertheless seen the 2/4-seater benefit from more fettling at the hands of Ecurie Bertelli including an engine 'top end' upgrade to Ulster specification (R209 camshaft, new valve springs, rockers, 1.5in carburettors), replacement clutch, overhauled gearbox (new bearings, seals) and a Kenlowe electric fan. Used for light rallying in France instead 'BXR 432' has proven reliable and is only going under the hammer due to the acquisition of a Series II 'Le Mans' car. Summed up as "a very original, unmolested MKII", we are informed that this highly desirable prewar Aston will possess new 6-volt batteries and a fresh MOT certificate by the time of sale.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle now comes with MOT until February 2008.
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