1930 Aston Martin 1½-Litre International 'Short Chassis' Sports Tourer

Registration no. GW 3860 Chassis no. L0/92

Footnotes

Manufactured by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin, the first Aston-Martins (the hyphen is correct for the period) rapidly established a reputation for high performance and sporting prowess in the immediate post-WWI years. Unfortunately, the management's concentration on motor sport, while accruing invaluable publicity, distracted it from the business of manufacturing cars for sale, the result being just 50-or-so sold by 1925 when the company underwent the first of what would be many changes of ownership.

The foundations were laid for the commencement of proper series production with the formation of Aston Martin Motors Ltd in 1926 under the stewardship of Augustus 'Bert' Bertelli and William Renwick. Built at the firm's new Feltham works, the first 'new generation' Aston Martins were displayed at the 1927 London Motor Show at Olympia. Like his predecessors, 'Bert' Bertelli understood the effect of competition success on Aston Martin sales and sanctioned the construction of two works racers for the 1928 season. Based on the 1.5-litre, overhead-camshaft road car, the duo featured dry-sump lubrication and this feature was carried over to the International sports model, newly introduced for 1929. Built in two wheelbase lengths (102" and 118"), the International was manufactured between 1929 and 1932, mostly with bodies by Augustus's brother Enrico 'Harry' Bertelli. Aston Martin built 136 cars between 1927 and 1932: 14 on the long chassis and 122 on the short International chassis.

A contemporary road test of an International recorded a top speed of 81mph with up to 90mph attainable, depending on the axle ratio. The new Aston was soon making its mark on the racetrack, 'Bert' Bertelli and Pat Driscoll winning the Biennial Cup at Le Mans in 1932, one of many competition successes achieved before the International was superseded by the Le Mans and Ulster models. Private owners entered all kinds of competitions, while team drivers included Sammy Davis, Eddie Hall, Cyril Paul and George Eyston.

Its chassis number reveals that 'L0/92' was built in December 1930 ('L' indicating December and '0' 1930) while the (copy) chassis card shows that it was not sold until October 1931. The car is listed as 'International Sports 4 Seater. Black body and red wings. Rotax lighting. New type brakes'. The first owner was one J H James of Brookdale, New Southgate, London N11, who appears to have been followed by H O Moore, Royal Engineers Mess, Catterick Camp. According to the old-style continuation logbook (issued 1948, copy on file), the Aston was first registered on 28th January 1932, more than a year after it had been completed. Known subsequent owners are as follows: Mr J W Greenwood of Herefordshire (early 1950s-1970s); Mr P Bevis of Stoulton, Worcestershire (1970s-1986); Mr K P Tankard of West Yorkshire (1986-1987); Mr Roger Ugalde of Exmouth, Devon (1987-1994); Mr John Carey of Malmesbury, Wiltshire (1994-2002); Mr Giovanni Strabiumi, Italy (2002-2009); and then the current vendor from December '09.

On file are numerous invoices and correspondence dating back to the early 1950s, including a letter from the AMOC dated 22nd November 2002 confirming that 'L0/92' is an original short-chassis International with its original body and original engine. Arguably the most significant bill (running to some seven pages) relates to a full engine rebuild carried out by consulting engineer David Taylor in 1993 while the Aston was owned by Roger Ugalde.

Since coming into the vendor's care the car has been maintained by Orchard Restorations of Maynards Green, East Sussex, their last bill being dated September 2019. Recently serviced, 'L0/92' is 'on the button' and ready to enjoy. Eligible for VSCC and AMOC events, this well documented, fast and highly desirable Vintage-era Aston Martin is one of the nicest examples of the much sought-after International, which is acknowledged as one of the outstanding designs of its era.