Highlights
- Exceptional condition throughout
- Numerous restoration receipts
- Stunning styling & performance
- No expense spared on upkeep
The Appeal
Prior to its acquisition by the current keeper late last year, the Aston was in the same family for 37 years. They invested both time and a significant amount of financial support to bring the car up to the impeccably high standard it is in today. The matching numbers and sympathetic restoration work carried out over the years will surely appeal to any Aston Martin enthusiast.
The combination of stunning 50s styling, racing heritage, capability for grand touring and the sonorous Aston Martin soundtrack, makes this a great DB2/4 that deserves to be used more than it currently is.
History and Paperwork
- Dry-stored/driven, garaged when not in use
- With previous keeper for 37 years
- V5 certificate in current keeper’s name
While unable to be authenticated, the first owner of this achingly beautiful Aston Martin was said to be Billy Cotton, band leader, radio and television personality and racing driver who came fourth at the 1949 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The car is one of just 144 built at Aston Martin’s Feltham factory in south west London. Little is known of the car’s early life but there are a few owners listed from 1959 on the original Licence registration document pictured in the gallery.
The car was acquired by the former keeper in 1984 and subsequently by his wife in 1993. At that time it was felt that this DB2/4 MkII was in need of refurbishment. Accordingly, during the mid-1990s both a mechanical and body overhaul was carried out by Classic Coachbuilders of Sittingbourne, Kent. In honour of the car's authenticity, many original parts and body panels were retained, restored and refitted where possible.
By 2020 it was felt that further improvements were necessary and Aston Martin specialists Prestige Restoration, of Chertsey in Surrey were entrusted to carry out a comprehensive list of mechanical and cosmetic enhancements, the details of which are noted under ‘Mechanicals’ below.
A couple of tell-tales signs suggest this might have been a left-hand drive model at some point in its early life, perhaps destined for export, but never shipped. The passenger door handle is the one with the keyhole lock and the lever for the fuel filler flap is mounted on the B-pillar behind the passenger.
The current keeper acquired the Aston Martin in October, 2021 but has decided it now needs to make way for the imminent arrival of a new member of what is an evolving automotive collection.
Accompanying the car will be a V5 Certificate registered in the current keeper’s name, a box file containing restoration, service and maintenance documentation, an original 1950s-60s registration book and an Aston Martin Workshop Manual.
The Interior
- Presents in remarkable condition.
- Sympathetically re-trimmed nearly two years ago.
- Tidy rear seating area and smart, adaptable boot.
The simplistic but elegant interior presents in exceptional order and was the subject of a re-trim around two years ago which included new door cards and carpets.
The original classic wood rimmed steering wheel and burr walnut dashboard were retained and the colour co-ordinated dash trim and leather upholstery have a great patina with no visible rips or tears other than a couple of quite minor areas of wear atop the driver's seat.
Of interest is the fact that the front seats are not the usual smaller bucket seats, but are wider and the door armrests are a welcome GT addition, possibly derived from Lagonda.
The rear load area is very smart and the clever fold down rear seatback adds considerably to the available luggage space for those historic weekends away. The headlining is pristine along its full length and the original, complete and rather quaint hand tool set still resides in the centre armrest.
The previous keeper also wisely had the instrument gauges re-calibrated around two years ago and a new, complete wiring loom was installed in 2020, which promises modern and reliable electrics. The internal door handles and window winders both operate well.
The Exterior
- Presented in gleaming British Racing Green
- Brightwork is in exceptional order
- Blemish-free exterior
This beautiful four-seater, two-door coupé is regarded by many as one of the ultimate classic grand tourers from the middle of the last century and represents a throwback to an altogether different automotive era when things were simpler, less complicated and far easier to live with (see tool set).
The smooth flowing contours of this Aston Martin DB2/4 are simply stunning. This example has obviously been lovingly cared for and while a tad removed from concours, it should ideally be regarded as a drivers’ car to be enjoyed – and not just on Sundays.
The aluminium body rides straight with no obvious evidence of collision and the shut lines all look good. Remembering that the body was fully repainted in the late 1990s (with some more recent attention to the sills, for example), it still looks hugely inviting with no visible blemishes.
The brightwork around the car is very presentable with just a few minor blemishes here and there and the glass and replacement rubbers are in good order. The period-correct Lucas lights are all in good working order.
Upon first inspection, the chassis and floor looks very clean, well painted and undersealed and lastly the painted wire wheels appear to be in good condition and the specialist Brockley tyres are in particularly rude health.
The Mechanics
- Electronic ignition a rare nod to modernity
- Fully-maintained, no expense spared
- Driven just 47 miles since its October 2021 acquisition
- 3-litre, straight-six Lagonda engine recently overhauled
Having methodically been treated to an overhaul during the 2020 lockdown, this original Lagonda VB6E 3-litre, straight six, twin overhead cam engine is eager to fire into life. It was a very fast car in the 1950s with 140bhp on tap and a top speed of around 118mph.
Repositioning the car for the accompanying photo gallery, the Aston started first and every time and settled into an appreciative six-pot burble that only a well-tuned and maintained historic engine can make. The four-speed manual gearbox connected smoothly and the clutch engaged with no drama, requiring a light feathering of the revs to get underway.
The engine certainly sounded gorgeous and has only covered approximately 200 miles since the improvements carried out by Prestige Restoration, which included the following:
- New valve seals and gaskets
- SU carburettor refurb kits
- Electronic ignition conversion
- New coil and HT leads
- New fuel sender and fuel tank cleanse
- New rear suspension swing arms and springs
- New brakes and hoses
- New steering rack
- Re-cored radiator
The engine bay is exceptionally clean and contains a new but original jack, spare spark plugs and unusually, the original grease gun.
Like the immediately visible parts of this Aston Martin, the underside and lower sills present in very good order and exhibit no trace of the natural oxidation that may reasonably be expected on a car of this vintage.
Summary
There are few thoroughbred British classics that offer up an interesting mix of smiles-per-gallon driveability, comfort and rakish good looks as a mid-1950s Aston Martin DB2/4. This survivor – one of only 144 made – has been afforded some considerable attention in recent decades and presents in extraordinary condition both inside and out.
It is hoped that the new keeper of this automotive icon will care for it in the manner to which it has evidently become accustomed. Its ‘ready-to-enjoy’ condition promises that TYN 125 will serve its new owner well for many more years to come – on any day ending in ‘Y’.
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