Beschreibung
LOT 134
1950 Aston Martin Two-Litre Sports Drophead Coupé (DB1)
THE BOND STREET SALE IMPORTANT COLLECTORS' MOTOR CARS AND AUTOMOBILIA
16 December 2022, 16:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street
Lot to be sold without reserve
£100, 000 - £150, 000
1950 Aston Martin Two-Litre Sports Drophead Coupé (DB1)
Registration no. not registered
Chassis no. AMC/ 50/ 10
Engine no. EN/ 49/ 11
• The first post-war Aston Martin model
• One of only 15 production cars made
• Stored since acquisition in 2007
• Requires re-commissioning
Footnotes
This Two Litre Sports is a fine example of the model that ushered in the 'David Brown' era at Aston Martin. Successful industrialist David Brown had bought the struggling Aston Martin concern in 1946, and the following year added Lagonda to his expanding motor-manufacturing empire. When Brown bought Aston Martin he acquired the Atom - a 2. 0-litre four-cylinder prototype intended for post-war production - plus 'a few rusty old machine tools and the services of the Atom's designer, Claude Hill, who was very good...'.
The chassis of the Two Litre Sports was a direct development of the Atom's, being of tubular construction and featuring independent front suspension by means of trailing arms, and a well-located live rear axle. Coil springs were used all round, plus a torsion bar at the front. A departure from Aston Martin's customary overhead-camshaft type, the 1, 970cc overhead-valve engine was intended to be more reliable and easier to service. The gearbox was a David Brown four-speed unit, and there were Girling drum brakes all round.
With the Lagonda purchase had come the services of their remarkably talented body stylist, Frank Feeley. Feeley designed the drophead coupé body for the Two Litre Sports, based on sketches he had made pre¬-war for the Lagonda V12. This modern, streamlined shape was very different from the traditional Aston Martin style, and its trend-setting influence can be detected in other handsome contemporary designs such as the Sunbeam Alpine. A foretaste of future glories was provided in 1948 when a stripped-for-racing Two Litre Sports won the Spa 24 Hours Race.
With the DB2 ready for release, manufacture of the Two Litre Sports (retrospectively known as the 'DB1') was halted in mid-1950 after only 15 production models had been made, plus one Team Car. It is thus the rarest of all the 'David Brown' Aston Martin production models.
Chassis number '10' is recorded in the AMOC Register as having attended the Le Mans Historic meeting in 1975 and 1978, and the AMOC Luxembourg Slalom in 1985 where it won the Members' Choice Trophy. The owner in 1985 was a Mrs Geisler. Otherwise the car's history is not known, though copies of old German registration papers and other documents on file indicate that it spent some time in that country before being shipped to the USA. The current vendor purchased the Aston from Tom Papadopoulos' Autosport Designs of New York, USA in May 2007, since when it has been kept in storage (copy bill of sale on file). Offered for re-commissioning, 'AMC/ 50/ 10' represents a possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the serious collector to own one of these ultra-rare and historic Aston Martins.
Please note that if this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price to clear customs. The administration for clearing customs is called a NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) and costs £350 (plus VAT). Both the Import VAT and NOVA charge will be added to the buyer's invoice. Please note that this fee does not include registering the vehicle in the UK. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released once customs is cleared. If you have any questions regarding customs, please contact the Motorcar Department.
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Additional information
Auction information
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Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge what is known as a Buyer's Premium. Buyer's Premium on all Automobilia lots will adhere to Bonhams group policy:
25% up to £50, 000 of hammer price,
20% from £50, 001 to £1, 000, 000 of hammer price,
and 12% on the balance thereafter. This applies to each lot purchased and is subject to VAT.
For Motor Cars and Motorcycles a 15% Buyer's Premium is payable on the first £50, 000 of the final Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on any amount by which the Hammer Price exceeds £50, 000. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Some lots may be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price. These lots will be clearly marked with the relevant symbol printed beside the lot number in the catalog.
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