1953 Aston Martin DB2 3l Cabriolet
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Highlights
- Now fitted with a 3l engine
- Smart executive express turned into a flamboyant cabriolet
- Fetching original Almond Green paintwork
- Fascinating original paperwork
The Appeal
Having started life as a coupé, this Aston Martin DB2 was later converted into a cabriolet in 1970. It looks to have been very well finished and the open body particularly suits this car.
Finished in its original Almond Green, this DB2 looks very suave as it prowls along the road, and the interior is beautifully patinated, with warm leather and tactile controls. It is tidy and uncluttered throughout.
And with its Bentley-designed twin-cam straight-six engine producing enough power to propel the car to 116mph, it is certainly very useable on modern roads, or even in competition.
The History and Paperwork
- Delivered from the factory on 4th June 1953
- Original literature included: The Aston Martin DB2 Instruction Book
- Original parts list
- Sales brochure
- Original production record sheet, including the full specification of the car and its early service history
- The car was originally a coupé
- Converted to a cabriolet in 1970
- Owned by the vendor since 2004 and imported to France
The Interior
- Beautifully patinated leather
- A homely, well-used but solid feel to the interior
- Simple, classic design with no unnecessary extras
Having left the factory as a coupé, this DB2 now enjoys a rather more extrovert existence as an open cabriolet. It’s hard to believe that such a simple change as removing the roof can be so transformative to the image of a car, but this is living proof of it.
Stepping inside is like returning to a familiar armchair. It wraps you in the warmth of well-used leather and is at once familiar and effortlessly stylish. The seats exhibit the patina of careful use built up over many years and the rest of the interior is equally inviting.
The dashboard is stylishly restrained, with four large clusters of instruments and switches mounted upon a walnut façade. The driver is presented with the tachometer closest to their eye line, a reference to the car’s sporting intentions, and the speedometer is marked in km/h. All the instruments and bakelite rotary switches look to be in good condition, with some signs of light wear having been picked up over the years. And the large, thin-rimmed steering wheel looks to be in good condition and shows no obvious cracks or damage.
The carpets and door cards match the leather, and are in good condition for their age. They have picked up one or two scuffs and light stains over the years, but nothing which detracts from the interior’s overall pleasant appearance. The vendor tells us that the wind-up windows are a little loose in their channels.
Luggage can be stored behind the seats, which fold forwards for access, and to the rear there is a small hatch to access the spare wheel, where there is also a little space for a few tools and spare parts.
The Exterior
- Graceful ‘50s styling
- Almond green paintwork
- Very clean underneath
The long, sweeping bonnet of this Aston Martin is graceful and assertive, and you know that the engine hidden beneath will be a serious piece of engineering. The panels on this DB2 look to be in good condition, with nice shut-lines and no obvious areas of damage.
Finished in the alluring shade of Almond Green, as specified on the factory build sheet, the colour looks just right on this car. There are a few small areas where the paint has begun to bubble, such as on the filler flap, and there are some light signs of use throughout, but overall it looks to be in very good condition.
The chrome plated trim looks similarly well presented, with a little light pitting throughout, but no particularly significant corrosion. The Lucas tripod headlamps are particularly attractive, and could benefit from having their reflectors resilvered.
With the cabriolet hood down the interior can be protected with a fitted tonneau cover. And with the hood raised, the occupants are adequately shielded from the elements. There is a little staining and wear to the hood but it appears to function correctly.
Underneath, the car appears to be very clean and tidy, with no reported damage or corrosion. The car runs on centre lock wire wheels, which look very well presented and are shod in a matching set of Avon tyres, which are said to be almost new.
The Mechanics
- DOHC straight-six 3l VB6H engine
- Very clean and tidy engine bay
- Gearbox and steering box rebuilt in 2004
- Engine found in England circa 2004, reported to have 50 000km at the time, bores inspected prior to purchase and found to be in excellent condition
- Stainless-steel exhaust built by Aston-Martin heritage (3500€)
Designed under the watchful gaze of W. O. Bentley, the Lagonda straight-six is a very capable piece of machinery, with its dual overhead camshaft arrangement putting it well ahead of many of its contemporaries. The Motor tested a DB2 and found it to have a top speed of 116mph, which was certainly an achievement in 1950.
The engine bay appears to be very clean and tidy, with the polished aluminium camshaft covers on display for all to see and the black painted twin carburettors by its side.
The keen-eyed among you will have noticed the Le Mans style grille as well as the vented front brake drums, this car means business!
The keen-eyed among you will have noticed the Le Mans style grille as well as the vented front brake drums, this car means business!
It is fascinating to read the accompanying service record, which details how the engine was decarbonised in 1955 and many other service items were inspected, rectified and changed during the car’s early history.
The vendor informs us that the gearbox has been rebuilt since he's owned it and that the car is in very good mechanical condition.
Summary
A very attractive example of a DB2, which has been converted to a cabriolet. It is begging for spirited sunny afternoon drives and will enhance any driveway.
Notice to bidders
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1953
- Make Aston Martin
- Model DB2 Cabriolet
- Colour Almond Green
- Odometer 330 Miles
- Engine size 3000
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Saint Gaudens
- Location International
- Country France
14 bids
from 6 bidders
- james.s•••• £130,000 10/05/23
- carmarg•••• £120,000 10/05/23
- james.s•••• £112,000 10/05/23
- xtsuper•••• £100,000 09/05/23
- carmarg•••• £93,000 09/05/23
- xtsuper•••• £88,000 09/05/23
- james.s•••• £85,000 07/05/23
- rolf-uh•••• £80,000 07/05/23
- xtsuper•••• £75,000 07/05/23
- james.s•••• £52,000 04/05/23
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