Highlights

One of only 56 right-hand-drive DB2/4 Drophead Coupés produced
Formerly owned by Sir David Lean, acclaimed director of Lawrence of Arabia
Matching numbers throughout, including the gearbox, as per the original factory build sheet
In current ownership for 46 years
Retains its original registration number ‘PXU 3’
Accompanied by an extensive history file including original logbooks, order form and a photographic record of the restoration

The Appeal

Few cars capture the gentleman-racer spirit of the 1950s quite like the DB2/4. David Brown’s Aston Martin took the Le Mans-proven DB2 and added two occasional rear seats, while the W.O. Bentley-designed straight-six gave genuine pace.

The DB2/4 Drophead Coupé is among the most elegant and desirable open-top grand tourers of the 1950s. With just 56 right-hand drive examples built, it occupies rarefied territory even within the already exclusive world of early Aston Martin production. Its combination of the potent 2.9-litre inline-six engine, four-speed manual gearbox, and graceful coachwork made it a genuinely capable long-distance touring car in its day, and one that remains rewarding to drive seven decades on.

This example, chassis LML/852, was delivered new through Brooklands on 7th February 1955 to its first owner in Surrey, finished in the highly unusual shade of Blue Haze over Blue. The car’s early provenance is notable: it passed through H.R. Owen before being acquired by Sir David Lean, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Lawrence of Arabia and The Bridge on the River Kwai, who reportedly took the car on location during the production of some of his films.

Our vendor acquired the car in 1980 as a complete dismantled project, and stored it until a body-off restoration in 1995. A comprehensive engine rebuild was completed in 2021–22, around 500 miles ago, and the retrim, rechroming and hood work followed. The vendor’s aim was a usable, mechanically sound car that keeps a degree of its original patina, rather than a concours example, and they note that some bodywork fettling would be beneficial, though a respray is not strictly necessary. This is a well-documented DB2/4 Drophead from a long and discerning period of ownership.

History and Paperwork

UK-market, right-hand drive example, first registered 7th February 1955
Approximately 11 registered keepers from new, per the vendor
In current ownership since 1980
Formerly owned by Sir David Lean, the acclaimed film director
Original ‘buff’ style log book and green log book present
Original order form and factory build sheet on file, confirming matching chassis, engine and gearbox numbers
Connolly leather certificate on file
Large file of invoices including work by Aston Service Dorset and Tim Stamper
Memory stick containing a full photographic record of the restoration
Workshop manual and parts book included
Nearly complete original tool kit, original jack and jack handle, and starting handle with chrome grille cover plate
MOT-exempt as a pre-1977 vehicle
Retains its original registration number ‘PXU 3’
35,480 miles (indicated); true mileage unknown

The Condition

Retains its original Blue Haze over Blue colour combination
Body-off restoration in 1995, with the chassis blasted (no welding required) and painted, and the body and bonnet stripped to bare metal, repaired and refinished in cellulose Blue Haze
Rewired with a new period-style cloth-wrapped loom; only the clock is reported as non-functional
Hood frame rebuilt and rechromed with a new ash header rail, with a new mohair hood and bag fitted
New front windscreen
Retrimmed in correct Connolly Vaumol VM 3015 leather, with certificate on file and the remainder of the hide included
New period steering wheel fitted to the original adjustable boss
Coverdale carpets partially fitted, with the remainder supplied with the car
Extensive rechroming carried out, with some original chrome retained
Offered with a choice of 16-inch chrome wheels (in average condition) or 16-inch silver-painted wheels, both on Pirelli tyres
Additional set of wheels and tyres included for storage

This DB2/4 retains its highly unusual original colour scheme of Blue Haze over Blue, and it benefited from a body-off restoration in 1995, when the chassis was blasted and refinished and the body was stripped to bare metal and resprayed. Since then it has been retrimmed in correct Connolly Vaumol leather, fitted with a new mohair hood and bag on a rebuilt frame, given a new windscreen and extensively rechromed. The vendor notes that some bodywork fettling would be beneficial. We adore the patina.

The Mechanics

2.9-litre DOHC inline-six engine
Four-speed manual gearbox
Matching-numbers engine VB6J/328 as per the original order form
Engine comprehensively rebuilt in 2021–22, around 500 miles ago, by Classic and Modern of Bracknell: crack-tested and refaced, crank reground and balanced with the flywheel and rods, new high-compression pistons, liners and bearings
Cylinder head refaced with recut seats, lead-free valves, new guides and valve stem oil seals, and a reprofiled camshaft
Oil pump remachined, carburettors rebuilt, and new clutch and pressure plate fitted
All input and output shafts refaced with new oil seals, including the water pump, gearbox and differential
Timing chains renewed and steering box refurbished during the 1995 restoration
Alfin brake drums; brakes reshod with new wheel cylinders and pipes, and the master cylinder rebuilt with a new reservoir
New electrical control box and a recent fuel pump fitted
Fuel tank cleaned and internally sealed
Engine oil and filter, gearbox, differential and steering box oils, and coolant all changed in November 2026

The vendor advises:

Tyres on all three sets of wheels are past their recommended age and should be replaced before regular use
Carburettors rebuilt but not yet balanced or tuned
Steering wheel boss not fully tightened
Front torsion bar casing oil level and damper oil not checked
Original jack complete but not working, needing a new leather seal

These cars were designed for Continental grand touring, with a powerful VB6J twin-cam straight-six driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. In 2021–22 the engine was comprehensively rebuilt by Classic and Modern of Bracknell, with new high-compression pistons, liners and bearings, a balanced bottom end, and a fully reworked head with unleaded-compatible valves. Alfin brake drums are fitted; the brakes and steering were overhauled during the restoration, and fresh oils were added before the car was driven to our showroom. The vendor reports that it drives well, with no noticeable play in the steering.

Interested parties should note that a spare's package accompanies the car, this includes 2 additional sets of wheels ( one painted wire set) Various pots of spare paint as listed, along with rare hard to come by details including the rare starting handle cover for the front grill. Please see photographs.

NB: This vehicle is securely stored with one of our trusted partners. Buyers receive complimentary storage for up to five calendar days following the sale. Starting on day six, a fee of £20 per day will apply. To ensure a seamless handover, your contact details will be shared directly with the facility to coordinate any potential storage invoicing and collection.

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