LOT 125 *

1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 MK1 Coupe Chassis no. LML/600 Engine no. VB6E/50/1335

Sold for €103,500 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 125^*

1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 MK1 Coupe
Chassis no. LML/600 Engine no. VB6E/50/1335

Autumn Motoring Online|29 November 2021, 13:00 CET|Online, Paris, rue de la Paix

1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 MK1 Coupe
Chassis no. LML/600
Engine no. VB6E/50/1335

• Offered without reserve
• Original left-hand drive model
• Delivered new to France
• Present ownership since 2007
• Mille Miglia eligible

Please note that this motor car will be available for viewing by prior appointment in the Netherlands.

* Please note this motor car is subject to the reduced local import tax should it remains in the EU.
As Bonhams is the guarantor of the customs duties and taxes clearance, these motor cars cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale.

Footnotes

"The Aston Martin DB2/4 is an expensive car designed to cater for the connoisseur of sports cars who is not limited by financial considerations." - Autocar, 2nd October 1953.

With the introduction of the '2+2' DB2/4 in October 1953, Aston Martin extended the DB2's appeal to the hitherto untapped yet increasingly important market comprised of 'sports car enthusiasts with a family'. Modifications to the rear of the chassis plus a reduction in fuel tank capacity from 19 to 17 gallons liberated sufficient space within the existing design for two child-sized occasional rear seats. Alternatively, the rear seat backs could be folded down, thus creating a load-carrying platform that more than doubled the luggage space. The latter could be accessed via the 2/4's opening rear door, a pioneering example of the now commonplace 'hatchback' concept.

'This transformation gives the Aston Martin DB2/4 an unrivalled luggage-carrying capacity in a car which should be capable in favourable circumstances of achieving two miles a minute,' reported The Motor. 'The DB2/4 can truthfully claim to be the fastest car in the world capable of carrying two people with a month's luggage.'

Standard specification included the 2.6-litre 'VB6E' engine in 125bhp Vantage tune but from early in 1954 the 3-litre 140bhp 'VB6J' engine was installed. In this improved form the DB2/4 was one of the fastest cars then built in Great Britain - with 100mph (160km/h) achievable in third gear and around 120mph (193km/h) maximum - possessing impeccable handling plus a level of comfort rare in any high-performance car.

Built in November 1953, left-hand drive chassis number 'LML600' was delivered new to France via Majestic Automobiles finished in Moonbeam Grey with matching red-piped interior. The car left the factory equipped with engine number 'VB6E/50/1335' and Alfin brake drums, and was delivered without headlamps, which would have been fitted locally. The Aston had been repainted blue by the time the current vendor purchased the car from Tom Papadopoulos's Autosport Designs Inc of New York, USA in August 2007 (see bill of sale and purchase paperwork on file). Today, the car is still wearing its original red interior which would benefit of a reconditioning. A wonderful opportunity to own a Mille Miglia-eligible Aston Martin. Please note this motor car will be sold with an original Californian title; original retail certificate of sale; bill of sale and purchase paperwork.

Please note this motor car is subject to import tax if remaining in the EU and, as it has been on static display for a number of years, will require recommissioning for road use. This car will be sold with its original US title.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers Premium and Charges
Buyer's Premium Rates:
15% of the Hammer Price
VAT at the local rate, according to the storage location for each lot, will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges.
- France VAT rate: 20%
- Belgium VAT rate: 21%
- Netherlands VAT rate: 21%
Collection Notices
Purchases will only be released when cleared funds are received.
All vehicles must be collected after the payment of funds.
All storage charges must be paid in full prior to the vehicle's collection or onward transportation.
Storage charges payment must be arranged with the storage company.
The storage costs are outlined on this page.
It is strongly advisable that overseas purchasers and absentee bidders make contingency arrangements regarding collection with Bonhams in advance of the sale.
Collection is strictly by appointment only and at least 24 hours notice must be given.
Please send a booking email to the storage to ensure vehicle(s) are ready at time of collection.
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If a third party is collecting for you written authorisation is required in advance from you and photographic ID of the third party is requested at the time of collection.
Buyers should satisfy themselves that they have collected all relevant registration and logbooks, documents and keys relating to their lot(s) at the time of collection.
Storage charges: €30 + VAT per motor car per day from November 29th, 2021.
- France - Lots 106, 107, 121, 127
Transports Roger Benaim Frank Benaim
+33 6 16 01 16 01
[email protected]
- Belgium - Lots 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 117, 119, 123, 124
Gregory Tuytens
+32 471 71 27 36
[email protected]
- Netherlands - Lots 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 115, 116, 118, 120, 122, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133
Netherlands CARS Europe BV
Jonathan Round
+31 (0) 252 682 526
+44 7939 810687
[email protected]
CUSTOMS
Please note that lots 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 115, 116, 118, 120, 122, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133
stored in Europe, are subject to the local import tax should it remains in the EU.
- Lots preceded by STAR SIGN reduced local import tax.
- Lots preceded by OMEGA SIGN normal local import tax.
As Bonhams is the guarantor of the customs duties and taxes clearance, these motor cars cannot be released to the buyer or his transporter immediately after the sale.
For all enquiries relating to Customs, be they administrative or legal, please contact:
Netherlands - CARS Europe BV
Jonathan Round
+31 (0) 252 682 526
+44 7939 810687
[email protected]
France - Belgium - Germany - Transports Roger Benaim
Frank Benaim
+33 6 16 01 16 01
[email protected]
Anthony
+33 6 64 04 27 37
[email protected]
INSURANCE AFTER THE SALE
Buyers are reminded that their vehicles are their responsibility from the fall of the auction hammer. It is your responsibility to have adequate insurance cover in place. Neither Bonhams, nor their agents, will be liable for any damage or loss that the lot may suffer from the fall of the auction hammer.
So it means that from the moment the sale was online, clients have seen on the website the following conditions of sale:
For Motor Cars and Motorcycles a 15% Buyer's Premium is payable on the first £50,000 of the final Hammer Price of each Lot,
and 12% on any amount by which the Hammer Price exceeds £50,000.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
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