Highlights
- One of only 411 DB2 coupes ever made
- Documented competition history with period race victories and trophies
- Matching numbers engine according to Aston Martin Heritage Certificate
- Comprehensive restoration with over €100,000 invested
- Recent extensive restoration by European specialists across all areas
- Dutch registered with current valid technical inspection
The Appeal
The later Bond-adjacent GTs may claim the headlines, but none of them would exist without the DB2. This is where the Aston Martin legend began. Fuelled by David Brown’s merger of Aston and Lagonda, the DB2 married the best of both, namely the svelte styling and engineering of Aston with Lagonda’s brilliant W O Bentley-designed straight six engine.
The DB2 was Aston’s first GTm, establishing a line that runs up to the modern day. Just 411 were built. This car has the condition, specification and provenance that serious collectors want to find.
We’re told that it was discovered in a barn in England in ther 1980s. It was then subject to a comprehensive restoration with the aim of delivering a highly competitive historic racer and hill climb car. This is when the roll cage was fitted alongside other modifications designed to lighten the car and improve the braking performance. As its extensive history file attests, that goal was firmly achieved, the car delivering notable successes during that period.
In 2015 it was acquired by a well-known marque collector. He entrusted it to European specialists such as Slebos Classics who extensively checked, renovated and improved it at a cost exceeding €55,000. The work included conversion to LHD and repainting in what we are told is the correct Almond Green metallic. The cabin was retrimmed including a pair of gorgeous tan leather buckets. The vendor tells us that whatever worn components were found, were replaced or renovated. The goal was to achieve a Dutch technical inspection pass, which the car now carries.
This is a magnificent-looking example of the historically important DB2. The vendor tells us that it is eligible for high end events such as Mille Miglia, where no doubt its style and capabilities will shine even against the many illustrious entrants. One not to miss.
The vendor says:
“Today, this DB2 presents as a beautifully prepared, corrosion-free, fast-road and competition-ready Aston Martin. It remains eligible for historic rallying, classic driving events and, importantly, the Mille Miglia. With its race heritage, matching-numbers engine, renewed mechanicals and fresh paintwork, it is a formidable and highly reliable entrant for any enthusiast who enjoys driving rather than static display. Included with the car are its original front bench seat, spare parts, the full documentation file, extensive invoices and the complete photographic restoration record.
“This is a unique opportunity to acquire not only one of the rarest and most engaging early Aston Martins, but also one with exceptional provenance, superb mechanical condition and an impressive period competition history. The DB2 was the model that defined the Aston Martin spirit for decades to come. Even now, Aston Martin’s slogan applies perfectly: Intensity. Driven.
“In reality, the total investment in this car across its life exceeds €100,000+ when including the British restoration—this DB2 is far beyond a simple refurbishment.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1952
- Discovered as a barn find in the UK during the 1980s
- Acquired by Stockport, UK enthusiast who restored it for historic racing and hillclimbs
- Bought in 2015 by well-known Dutch Aston Martin collector who commissioned further restoration
- Aston Martin Heritage Certificate confirming matching-numbers engine
- Extensive archive with correspondence, annotated drawings, period photos, race documents and restoration records
- Over €55,000 invested in the Netherlands alone to complete restoration and RDW homologation
- Dutch registered with valid technical inspection
- Eligible for historic rallying, classic driving events and the Mille Miglia vendor states
Restoration and maintenance:
Aston Service Dorset (UK) – Invoice No. 80463 – £483.58
Aston Service Dorset is the factory-authorised parts supplier for early Feltham-era Aston Martins. Work includes:
- Front road springs (2x)
- Rear springs (2x)
- FedEx international shipping & insurance
Vendor states:
“These parts confirm that key suspension components were renewed using correct factory-specification items, consistent with the performance-rally setup chosen for this DB2.”
Classic & Exclusive Automotive Restyling (NL) – Bodywork & Paint Series (2017–2018)
A series of invoices from Classic & Exclusive show the substantial extent of panel work and refinishing:
Invoice 17.415 – €13.830 (ex VAT)
- Major panel fabrication using an English wheel
- Reconstruction and correction of aluminium body sections
- Complete respray in Almond Green Metallic
- Preparation work for later assembly
Invoice 18.425 – €3.346,85
Invoice 18.427 – €3.346,85
Invoice 18.431 – €3.346,85
Invoice 18.436 – €4.016,23
Four instalment payments reflecting the staged nature of the bodywork and paint restoration.
These invoices cover:
- Final body shaping
- Seam finishing and lead-loading
- Fine alignment of doors, bonnet and boot
- Primer, paint, and clearcoat application
- Finish polishing
The vendor states:
“Together, these invoices clearly demonstrate a high-end, professional bare-metal restoration of the DB2’s aluminium bodywork.”
Slebos Classic Engineering (NL) – Invoice 2018251 – €10.291,88
The vendor says:
“The centrepiece of recent mechanical and assembly work. Slebos Classic Engineering is one of the most respected Aston Martin specialists in the Netherlands.”
Their invoice includes:
- 130.5 hours of professional labour
Covering:
- Left-hand drive conversion
- Steering system reconfiguration
- Brake system overhaul
- Installation of new wheels, belts, mounts and cabin controls
- Fuel lines, wiring, fittings and final setup
- Testing, tuning, structural reinforcement and road preparation
Parts Included:
- Used wire wheels (correct specification)
- Engine belts (motor cap belts)
- Gearbox oil
- Fuel
- Various mounting materials
- Transport costs
Further details in photos.
The vendor says:
“This invoice reflects the most intensive mechanical phase of the Dutch rebuild and confirms the quality of craftsmanship involved.”
Ricambi Speciali (NL) – Invoices for Parts & Electrical Components
Invoice 17.098 – €1.793,92
A large order of important small components often overlooked in restoration, including:
- Lucas indicator lenses
- Tail lamps
- Rubber mounts and bushings
- Brake hoses
- Bonnet and boot seals
- Pedals and pedal rubbers
- Clamp sets, fasteners, brackets
- Rubber per meter (bulk)
- Electrical connectors
- Special rivets, trim clips
Invoice 2018-0106 – €5.791,18
An even more comprehensive order covering:
- New handbrake cables (short + long)
- Wipers and wiper arms
- Front window rubber seal sets
- Window heating hoses
- Fuel hoses
- Dash connector rings
- Complete gasket set
- Lucas switches and warning lamps
- Electrical relays and fittings
- Speedometer cable
- Dash oil-pressure line
- RDW inspection costs
- Workshop hours
- Universal horn
- Cooling system switch & relay
The vendor explains:
“These invoices together demonstrate the level of refresh and correctness undertaken. Many early Aston Martin restorations rely on reusing aged small parts; this car instead received hundreds of brand-new or NOS components.”
Peet Classics (NL) – Interior Restoration – Invoice 2018-0011 – €3.449,11
Peet Classics is renowned for high-standard interior work. Their invoice includes:
- Rebuilding the front seats with new fillings
- Manufacturing and fitting new leather seat covers
- Replacement of two wooden interior side panels
- Welding of frame brackets and seat base reinforcements
- New trim components
- New green carpeting (by the meter)
- Material for interior pillar trims
- Small materials for finishing
- This work accounts for the superb finish of the cockpit today says the seller
Additional Invoice – Ricambi Speciali – Handwritten Supplement – €356,85
A smaller parts order dated 20-10-2017 listing:
- Race-spec gauge parts
- Switchgear
- Ancillary fittings
- Additional mounting hardware
Total Documented Dutch Expenditure according to seller: ~€39.527,24
Not including:
- The entire earlier UK restoration (fully photo-documented)
- Race preparation costs
- Engine rebuild costs
- Historic competition preparation
- Thousands of hours of labour from the Cheetham ownership period
The vendor says:
“This particular DB2 was discovered in the 1980s as a genuine barn find in the United Kingdom. The car was purchased by Mr. Cheetham of Stockport, who embarked on a meticulous multi-year restoration with the specific intention of competing in historic racing and hill-climbs. To achieve this, both engine and chassis were modified for improved performance, a full roll cage was installed, front disc brakes with servo assistance were fitted, and anything that added unnecessary weight was removed or replaced. The restoration and conversion process was extensively documented with a lot of workshop photographs, hand-drawn diagrams and detailed invoices. A large archive with correspondence, annotated drawings, period photos, race documents and restoration records accompanies the car.
“The result of Cheetham’s work was a highly successful competition DB2. Period photographs show a well-filled trophy cabinet and the car enjoyed numerous victories on the hill-climb circuit. Importantly, according to the Aston Martin Heritage Certificate, the car still retains its original engine, now significantly enhanced but historically correct to the chassis.
“In 2015 the DB2 was acquired by a well-known Dutch Aston Martin collector, who set out to return the car to high-quality road use while preserving its race-bred mechanical character. In 2019, the car was entrusted to Slebus Classic Engineering for a comprehensive series of works. This included a fabrication and installation of new steering components, extensive mechanical reconstruction, safety upgrades and final preparation for Dutch road approval. The specialists also fitted two exceptionally well-suited bucket seats, professionally restored in the Netherlands.
“During this process, more than €55,000 was invested in the Netherlands alone to bring the DB2 to its current level and complete RDW homologation. Every component that showed the slightest wear was replaced. The bodywork, originally restored in the United Kingdom, was again fully inspected and refinished in its correct colour Almond Green Metallic. The paintwork is beautifully executed, with the period-style race numbers hand-painted. The car remains fitted with its impressive and extremely quick race specification engine, including the spectacular handmade “spaghetti” exhaust manifold.
“The invoice history supporting this work is extraordinary in scope and detail. From Aston Service Dorset, the official Feltham-era parts supplier, the car received new front and rear road springs together with adjusted suspension components and factory-correct parts shipped directly from the UK. Classic & Exclusive Automotive Restyling carried out extensive aluminium bodywork and a complete professional respray, documented through multiple staged invoices covering metal shaping, panel correction, lead-loading, primer, paint and final finishing. Slebos Classic Engineering contributed over 130 hours of specialised labour on the left-hand drive conversion, fuel system, gearbox, chassis corrections, drivetrain work and road-readiness tuning, along with a large set of mechanical parts including wheels, belts, mounts, bracketry and structural materials.
“Ricambi Speciali supplied a vast quantity of new electrical components, Lucas lighting equipment, seals, gaskets, rubber mounts, connectors, fasteners, clamps, wiper sets, cables and dashboard fittings. Their invoices demonstrate the level of detail pursued during the restoration, replacing even the smallest parts with new or NOS items that many restorers would simply reuse. Peet Classics provided a full refurbishment of the bucket seats with new fillings, professionally fitted leather covers, replacement of wooden interior side panels, welding of seat frame reinforcements and new green interior carpeting. This interior work alone represents an investment of more than €3,400.
“Including all major Dutch invoices, the documented expenditure exceeds €39,500, not including the UK restoration, engine build, competition preparation and decades of earlier work. Realistically, the total investment in this DB2 comfortably surpasses €100,000 across its lifetime. The documentation equally reflects this: the car is accompanied by a large and well-organised dossier containing drawings, handwritten notes, engineering sketches, invoices, correspondence, race memorabilia and a thick photo album showing the restoration from start to finish.”
The Condition
- Bodywork professionally restored by Classic & Exclusive Automotive Restyling with extensive aluminium panel work
- Finished in correct Almond Green Metallic with hand-painted period-style race numbers
- Vendor states the car has a corrosion-free aluminium body
- Professionally restored tan bucket seats with new fillings and leather covers
- New green interior carpeting and replaced wooden interior side panels
- Original front bench seat included with the car
- Fitted with correct-specification wire wheels
- Full roll cage installed during competition preparation
- Dashboard features period-appropriate instrumentation
Looking at this gorgeous DB2, we think the buyer faces a tough choice: whether to set it up in their collection, nicely lit, and merely admire it, or exercise it for the purpose it was intended.
It is certainly a tough call. Those evocative Frank Feeley lines are so natural and yet they launched many copycats. In this car’s Almond Green with yellow accents and white hand-painted roundels, they look both beautiful and purposeful.
Inside the sense of attention to detail continues. The beautiful refurbished tan leather buckets face a largely standard dashboard with some notable additions to suit this car’s rallying and racing pedigree.
The Mechanics
- 2.6-litre (2,580 cc) inline-six Lagonda engine with dual overhead cams
- Manual transmission
- Vendor confirms that this car has a matching number engine
- Original engine significantly enhanced for improved performance
- Front disc brakes with servo assistance fitted
- Mechanical overhaul since 2015 by Slebus Classic Engineering including new steering components
- Suspension upgraded with new front and rear road springs from Aston Service Dorset
- Fuel system, gearbox and drivetrain thoroughly overhauled
- Handmade "spaghetti" exhaust manifold adds to the car's competition appearance
- Left-hand drive conversion professionally executed
- New handbrake cables, fuel lines, and brake hoses installed
- The vendor states the car is highly reliable and competition-ready
The joy of a DB2 is not merely confined to its compact GT looks. Beneath the bonnet is one of early post-war motoring’s gems, the 2.6L straight six Lagonda engine. Its development was supervised by W O Bentley and it is widely believed to be the sole reason David Brown bought Lagonda.
This car has been extensively improved since it left the works. We’ve documented the improvements above. They date from the car’s restoration in the 1980s when it became a noted historic racer and hillclimb car. Since then it has been entrusted to leading European specialists who have continued with the improvements. The suspension was rebuilt by Aston Service Dorset and the mechanicals thoroughly checked and overhauled by Slebus.
Since 2015 this car has been part of a well-know marque collection. As you might expert, it has been carefully stored, properly looked after and used sparingly. It’s now ready for your collection and enjoyment and comes with valid Dutch technical inspection.
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