Description
This is one of the earliest Aston Martins with a superb and engaging history. Only four owners from new.
Manufactured by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin, the first Aston-Martins established a reputation for high performance and sporting success with a series of prototype and racing cars in the years immediately following WWI. Bamford & Martin's first Aston Martin cars used four-cylinder side valve engines capable of propelling every car to 60mph. In 1922 the Aston-Martin side valve enjoyed its finest hour when one set no less than 25 light-car and 10 outright world speed records at Brooklands! The management's focus on motorsport in the pursuit of publicity delayed manufacture of cars for general sale, resulting in only around 60 cars manufactured when the company underwent the first change of ownership in 1926. Bamford & Martin's chassis numbering for production cars began at '1916'. This car, bearing chassis number '1941', is one the oldest surviving production Aston-Martins and one of only a handful of those from before 1926.
The car was delivered to the Midlands in 1924 for first owner, RH Turner, and registered as MPG 503. Intriguingly, for such a high-quality car, it was utilised as a tractor by the Home Guard during the WWII before ultimately ending up in a scrap yard. Fortunately, in 1945 it was rescued by a Cambridge medical student who built it a new body and used it for 16 years before, sadly, it once again found its way back to a scrap heap. Fast forward to 1961, when it caught the eye of the fourth and present owner, James Cheyne, who rescued it and restored the car to its original condition. He re-registered it as DS 7621 and used it as a daily driver for many years. Under Cheyne’s ownership, this car competed with some success in concours and race events. He also lent it to numerous museums and special Aston Martin exhibitions which lead on to features in multiple publications and becoming well-known. Over the last sixty-four years, James has kept a detailed - and now very large - history file on the car, including original log books and the invoice from his initial purchase.
Currently in complete and running condition with attractive patina, this car would benefit from sympathetic improvements to ensure reliability and improve driveability. Once restored to top mechanical condition, it will make a superb touring car, especially capable on more attractive but less maintained back roads, likely similar in condition to when the car was new! Equipped with four-wheel brakes and good luggage space or a third seat, this is perfect for shorter trips to collect your morning paper or the most comfortable and stylish conveyance to a pub or restaurant!
Contact Ecurie Bertelli for a viewing or test drive.
