1953 Aston Martin DB2
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Highlights
- Matching numbers
- Partially-completed rebuild project in excellent order
- Ex-race car, championed by a father-and-son team in the 1990s
- Twice raced in Le Mans Classic
- Fully retrimmed by SM Trimming
- Fully overhauled with the engine in mid–build
- Being sold on a ‘semi-project’ basis
- Perfect for the buyer to tailor-spec
The Appeal
Introduced in 1950 with a - for the time - advanced Lagonda 2.6L dual overhead straight-six, the DB2 was very much the targeted result of David Brown’s acquisition of Aston and Lagonda - and in retrospect, it’s very easy to see why. The car was a low-production, high-quality marvel - quickly gaining an impressive reputation after the 1950 Le Mans 24-hour. Only 411 were built - not enough to suit demand - and it became the definition of an aspirational car for the post-war optimist period of British motoring.
This 1953 example has spent plenty of time on the track in Europe, and is now in the process of returning to a road car - and is one just waiting for the completion of its engine. Fully retrimmed, with a fully restored, detailed engine bay, new brakes and new tyres - only a little bit of work is required to get the Lagonda to full health and get this remarkably rare motor car back on the road.
The History and Paperwork
- First built in 1953
- Original right-hand drive example
- Four registered former owners, according to the DVLA
- In current ownership since December 2019
- The car was campaigned by a father and son team in Italy with success from 1990 onwards until the current vendor took ownership and turned it back to a road car
- It has raced Le Mans Classic twice amongst other prestigious competitions
Work completed over the years includes:
- Repaint from silver to orient blue in 1990 although the restoration of the bodywork is a little older, yet still holding up well
- Full interior retrim by SM Trimming
- Full mechanical overhaul
- Full overhaul of brakes
- Restored and fully detailed engine bay
- Four new tyres
- Engine is currently mid-build
The Interior
- Fully retrimmed interior by SM Trimming
- Beautifully finished to a very high standard
- Brand new leather seats
- Original period gauges
- Beautifully presented wooden binnacle
Fully retrimmed to a very high standard, while still maintaining a period style that’s utterly inimitable, this DB2 is spic-and-span, ready and waiting to welcome a new driver into its cossetting seats, which have been recovered and bolstered to an excellent standard.
The wooden binnacle is very nicely kept, with a lovely deep grain. The Smiths gauges are all beautifully clear, with the slightest pops of patina to their chromework, and an owner’s club insignia. The wood-trimmed steering wheel is also impressively appointed and really completes the array.
The carpets are all-new, and are perfectly appointed, matching up fabulously with the exterior paintwork. We understand the boot to be in a similar state of exceptional appointment.
The Exterior
- Impressive Frank Feeley bodywork
- Showing its wear and tear from its older restoration, undertaken in 1990
- Iconic Aston Martin grilles and branding
- Orient blue paintwork with plenty of chrome
- Wire spoke wheels with a brand new set of tyres
The beautiful, subtle and stylish curves of Frank Feeley’s bodywork are really picked out here, in a stunning shade of Orient Blue. It creates a car of real distinction.
This car was restored in 1990, and is beginning to show a few signs of wear commensurate with its career since. The chromework is beginning to show a few blemishes here and there, with a smattering of patina - though in our opinion there's still a very distinguished character. This makes it an immensely usable example, to drive as Aston Martin intended.
The car is sat on a full set of wire spoke wheels, which are in turn shod by a brand new set of tyres. Underneath, everything is in remarkable fettle, ready and waiting for the installation of the engine and gearbox.
The Mechanics
- The engine is currently in a state of mid-build
- 2.6L Lagonda straight-six
- David Brown S430-type gearbox
- Matching numbers
- Engine bay has been fully restored and detailed
- The next steps are the engine’s completion and installation
The vendor explains that most of the mechanical work has now been carried out, leaving the following for the next owner to attend to:
All the machine work has been completed, all parts purchased and the cylinder head has been rebuilt. Therefore all that is left to do is to re-assemble the engine and test run it before fitting it back in the car. Marque expert Tim Stamper has estimated that around £7,000 plus VAT will need to be spent in order for the Aston to hit the road once more. So the vendor suggests that the new owner budgets for around £10,000 - allowing them to procure any necessary ancillaries as well.
All the machine work has been completed, all parts purchased and the cylinder head has been rebuilt. Therefore all that is left to do is to re-assemble the engine and test run it before fitting it back in the car. Marque expert Tim Stamper has estimated that around £7,000 plus VAT will need to be spent in order for the Aston to hit the road once more. So the vendor suggests that the new owner budgets for around £10,000 - allowing them to procure any necessary ancillaries as well.
For any enthusiast, that should be a very tempting prospect!
Summary
Legendary for its rarity, grace and excellent performance, the DB2 has garnered an impressive reputation as one of the best British mid-century automobiles. This car just needs completing - and frankly, it already looks the part.
We’ve no doubt that the lucky buyer will find this a highly, highly rewarding purchase.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1953
- Make Aston Martin
- Model DB2
- Colour Blue
- Odometer 61,131 Miles
- Engine size 2580
Auction Details
- Seller Type Trade
- Town Eastbourne
- Location Sussex
- Country United Kingdom
11
bids
from 9
bidders
- peter-f•••• £26,000 30/04/24
- will cl•••• £25,000 30/04/24
- enrique•••• £9,200 29/04/24
- dc-dc £9,000 28/04/24
- ollie-h•••• £8,000 27/04/24
- raul-go•••• £5,200 25/04/24
- Barrald•••• £5,100 25/04/24
- Jeremy•••• £5,000 25/04/24
- dc-dc £3,000 25/04/24
- miguel-•••• £1,100 25/04/24
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