Full bare-metal body resto, engine rebuild and interior retrim
The Appeal
The David Brown name has been synonymous with fast Astons since the late-1940s, and the fun part for enthusiasts is that there are actually more versions than you might think. The DB11 may be the current model but, paradoxically, that doesn’t mean that it’s the eleventh one. Nope, the first of the line was the 2-Litre Sports of 1948 (retrospectively nicknamed ‘DB1’), the first car produced under the company’s then-new owner, David Brown, and it’s his initials which spawned this whole saga.
Aston Martin entered the prototype in the Spa 24 Hours just to test it out, and ended up winning outright. The DB2 followed in 1950, and then the naming convention went haywire, with the DB2/4 being sold from 1953-57, replaced by the DB Mark III, before things got back on track in 1958 with the DB4.
It's the DB2/4 that we’re looking at here, and intriguingly within this short model run Aston Martin had time to release a Mk1 and then a Mk2 variant, available as a 2-seat coupe, a drophead, and a 2+2 hatchback. This car is a Mk1 2+2, built in 1954, and it has an interesting history: among its myriad adventures, it competed in the Mille Miglia in 2015, and still has its Miglia clock as well as FIVA identification.
The huge history file details how the engine was rebuilt by the noted specialist Terry Hoyle at Hoyle-Fox Classics, while the body was restored and repainted by Horne Recovery Services and the interior retrimmed by Coburn; this all took place between 2010-2012, at a cost of over £66,000. More recently, over £14,000 was spent at Moto Technique in 2018 to give the car a full overhaul.
A beautifully presented example with a few tales to tell, and more than ready for its next adventure. And if you fancy competing in the Mille Miglia, this Aston’s already done it once…
The History and Paperwork
V5
List detailing names and dates of all former owners in chronological order
FIVA identity card (2015)
2010 – invoice for £5,000 (Hoyle) – restoration works
2010 – invoice for £625 (Horne) – chromework and trim
2010 – invoice for £1,100 (Horne) – strip down to bare metal
2010 – invoice for £1,750 (Horne) – bodyshell welded, prepped and primed
2011 – invoice for £7,075 (Hoyle) – stripping, cleaning and balancing engine, etc
2011 – invoice for £5,409 (Horne) – full repaint
2011 – invoice for £3,896 (Coburn) – strip and replace headlining, fabricate new sun visors, strip and recover dashboard and polish all metal parts, etc
2011 – invoice for £3,681 (Stamper) – forged pistons and other engine internals
2011 – invoice for £4,911 (Coburn) – interior retrim
2011 – invoice for £4,818 (Hoyle) – engine build
2011 – invoice for £8,614 (Hoyle) – engine build
2011 – invoice for £1,652 (Stamper) – engine parts
2011 – invoice for £716 (Stamper) – engine parts
2011 – invoice for £1,795 (Hoyle) – engine build
2012 – invoice for £11,590 (RJ Bradley & Sons) – wiring loom, manifold repair and new exhaust system, dynamo recon, etc – plus rolling road tune
2012 – invoice for £3,106 (Coburn) – new seat foam and webbings, new leather covers, etc
2012 – invoice for £535 (Horne) – bonnet alterations
2015-16 – assorted invoices from Aston Service Dorset
2016 – invoice for £1,922 – Halda TwinMaster
2018 – invoice for £14,034 (Moto Technique) – full overhaul; carbs rebuilt, suspension rebuilt, new fuel tank, fluid leaks rectified, gearbox removed to renew clutch, new gearbox oil seal and mount, coolant hoses replaced, braking system overhauled with master cylinder replaced and shoes relined, etc
The Interior
Seats retrimmed and re-foamed
Wool headlining replaced
Halda TwinMaster
The Aston’s interior has been tastefully retrimmed, and the finish is charming throughout. The seats are finished in soft hide which shows no notable blemishes or signs of undue wear, the fronts reclining correctly to allow access to the equally tidy rear. The carpets and headlining are good, and the wood-rim steering wheel is solid and complete while also looking like it’s seen some adventures.
The dash-top has been retrimmed, while the dash itself shows a cheerful patina with just a little gentle crazing to the lacquer on the wood – which looks so much better than a brand-new finish would. The hatchback rear adds handy extra practicality, and it’s all pleasingly tidy out back.
The Exterior
Full bare-metal restoration
Gleaming chrome
Wire wheels with Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres
The Sea Green paint has a beautiful deep lustre to it, and complements the pebble-smooth lines of the DB2/4’s design perfectly. The restoration work to the body was evidently completed to an extremely high standard, and it presents very well indeed today – straight panels, free from dings or notable blemishes (aside from some bubbling beneath the paint on the lower nearside rear wing behind the wheelarch).
All of the correct trim is in place, and the light lenses and window glass are in good order. The flip-up side indicators work well. The chromework gleams, and the car wears a set of attractive wire wheels with quality Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres.
The Mechanicals
Fully rebuilt engine
Clutch renewed
Brakes and suspension overhauled
The DB2/4 comes equipped with a lusty and evocative drivetrain. The VB6E engine is a 2.6-litre twin-cam straight-six (interestingly enough, an engine designed by W.O. Bentley), and this one has been expertly rebuilt to standard specification. You can see from the extensive invoices just how much effort was put into this, and the results are a truly thrilling powertrain that delivers the performance a sporting Aston should.
The steering is precise, and the suspension and braking systems have been thoroughly gone through with everything working as it should. A splendid car to drive, and one that feels rock-solid and ready for touring.
Summary
The DB2/4 has always been a car with a thrilling frisson of adventure and potential about it. With an engine designed by W.O. Bentley and a body designed by a draftsman who was just 17-years-old at the time, it’s very much a real-world representation of what a dream car should be.
Something that was willed in existence by fastidious engineers and teenage dreamers side-by-side. And this particular DB2/4 is very special indeed – with Mille Miglia history and a robust back-story detailing a high-end restoration, this really is one Aston you don’t want to miss out on.
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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Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
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1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1
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