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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