Description
1928 ASTON MARTIN 1 ½-litre ‘TS10’:
The First Standard Sports Model.
Crafted at the dawn of Aston Martin’s golden era, ‘TS10’ is a landmark in British motoring history—the first Standard Sports Model built by Aston Martin Motors Ltd at their Feltham works in 1928. Representing a bold leap forward in design and performance, it signaled the start of the Bertelli era, where technical innovation met refined sporting elegance.
Originally displayed at the 1928 London Motor Show at Olympia, ‘TS10’ was one of three new models unveiled—an open two-seater on a short 8’6” chassis, paired with a powerful 1½-litre overhead-camshaft engine. Though the Standard Sports Model was catalogued with a dry sump system, ‘TS10’ was uniquely shown with a rare wet-sump engine, setting it apart from its siblings. Finished in rich brown with long black wings, this bespoke car was immediately sold from the stand to the Maharajah of Patiala, making it one of the earliest Aston Martins to be exported.
Designed for both beauty and resilience, ‘TS10’ was later modified in India, where its ash body frame was replaced with durable hardwood—either teak or mahogany—to resist wood-boring insects, a testament to its global journey and enduring build quality.
After vanishing for decades, ‘TS10’ resurfaced in 1967 but remained in disrepair until a restoration by Ecurie Bertelli Ltd, the world authority on pre-war Aston Martins. A correct-type ‘T’ engine (no. ST18) and the last known original wet sump were sourced, while a new rear axle was crafted to match factory specifications. The meticulous restoration, taking nearly three years, brought ‘TS10’ back to life—exactly as it stood in 1928.
Notably, the car features front-opening doors, an original and uncommon trait from the period, adding to its uniqueness. Today, ‘TS10’ is recognized as the third oldest running Aston Martin from the Bertelli era, a direct ancestor of the modern marque and an irreplaceable piece of Aston Martin’s DNA.
‘TS10’ is not just a car—it is the genesis of Aston Martin’s sports legacy. With its unmatched provenance, royal history, and faithful restoration, it offers collectors a singular opportunity to own the car that helped define a brand now revered across the globe.
The car is currently serviced and maintained by the renowned team at Setford & Company
