Lot details Registration No: EU-Reg Chassis No: LML/50/35 Mot Expiry: Exempt
"It would appear that every so often the gods pass over some Works or another and with an inclination of the head inspire the production of a car with outstanding virtues. The Aston Martin DB2 stands worthy in the pedigree of real motor cars stretching back through the 4½ Litre Bentley to the 30/98 Vauxhall" (Lawrence Pomeroy, The Motor, October 1950)
Born out of a Le Mans prototype racer, the 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 equipped with 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 engine allied to four-speed manual transmission. Designed by Willie Watson (with input from W.O. Bentley), the tuneable straight-six was initially credited with 105bhp @ 5,000rpm.
Representing the DB2 in its purest form, the first forty-nine cars sported distinctive bonnets with elegant three-piece grilles and multi-gilled vents behind each front wheel. Sadly, as production progressed the former were dropped on cost grounds, while the latter were dispensed with after Lawrence Pomeroy likened them to unsightly `washboards' (though, Frank Feeley is on record as saying that he wished both features had been retained). Widely hailed as being among the best handling sports cars of its generation, the DB2 proved capable of humbling far more powerful machinery. With early Works entries vying for class honours at the Le Mans 24-hours, Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Tourist Trophy, Goodwood, Silverstone and Coppa Inter Europa etc, many private `washboard' owners decided to exploit their cars' competition potential.
According to its accompanying copy build sheet, this particular `washboard' example - chassis LML/50/35 - was supplied new via Majestic Automobiles of 43 Rue Bayen, Paris (premises which today are occupied by Valeo SA). Completed to right-hand drive specification but with Continental lighting and a close-ratio (DBRC) gearbox, it was only the second DB2 to be despatched to France. Although, its Alfin drum brakes and Borrani wire wheels hint at other adventures, the sole event which chassis LML/50/35 is known to have contested in period was the 1952 Lyon-Charbonnieres Rally. Car Number 117 (out of 124 starters), it was driven by M.L. Grousset whose subsequent racing career would include the Hyeres and Reims 12 hours. Internationally recognised, the 5th Lyon-Charbonnieres Rally offered multiple start points (London, Cork, Lausanne, Liege) and some 1,900km of hard driving. Outgunned by the Works Jaguar team which claimed 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the unlimited class, Car Number 117 was one of fifty-one retirees.
Recorded in several Aston Martin Owners' Club Registers from 1954 onwards, chassis LML/50/35 has been variously road registered in France as `3 Z 75', `938 DW 07' and `5372 WM 28'. Acquired by renowned marque enthusiast Jean-Louis Hebert during 1982, the ex-rally car formed part of his collection for the next twenty-nine years. Not short of spares, Mr Hebert is presumed to have run the `washboard' DB2 with a later Vantage engine (as documented by the 1988 and 1992 AMOC Registers) before entrusting it to marque specialist Garage Lamy of Villejuif for an extensive restoration in 1999. Although no corroborating invoices or photographs survive, the quality of Mr Lamy's work still speaks for itself some fourteen years on.
Aside from a livery change and aesthetic alteration to its `washboard' inserts, Mr Hebert was reportedly keen that the car's refurbishment be as authentic as possible. Thus, chassis LML/50/35 pleasingly retains a correct rear-mounted `Majestic Auto' supplier's badge, Bluemel steering wheel, under bonnet lamp and has its body number (68020) stamped into the fuel filler flap. Purchased by the vendor from another Aston Martin collector who in turn had bought it from Mr Hebert, `5372 WM 28' has been sparingly used as a road car over the past few years. However, as a `washboard' DB2 it is potentially eligible for such prestigious meetings as the Mille Miglia Storica, Tour Auto and Le Mans Classic. Indeed, it is one of few cars that could contest the latter without a roll bar.
Reputedly reunited with its original engine (number LB6B/50/578) by Mr Lamy on behalf of Mr Hebert, this `matching numbers' and increasingly collectible Aston Martin offers a passport to some of the world's greatest historic motoring events.
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