The ex-works/Gatsonides Monte Carlo Rally class-winning
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Sports Saloon

• One of only three works Aston Martins ever prepared for international rallying
• Known ownership history
• Restored by Brown & Gammons in the late 1990s
• Many-time Mille Miglia Storica participant
• Also eligible for the Goodwood Revival, Le Mans Classic, Tour Auto, etc

This historic Aston Martin, '55 DMF', has been exquisitely restored by Brown & Gammons (Ron Gammons owning the sister car) and is ready for competition or continental touring. '55 DMF', chassis number 'LML/784', was manufactured in November 1954 and transferred to Aston Martin's Racing Department on the 23rd of that month, the car's original specification sheet recording that its engine was 'VB6J/233'. The engine currently installed is 'VB6J/480' (from 'LML/952').

The trio of DB2/4s campaigned by Aston Martin during the 1955 season occupy a special place in the marque's competition history, this being the only occasion that the factory entered a works team in international rallying. Hitherto, Aston Martin had relied on a highly successful sports car racing programme to promote its products, but some noteworthy performances by private owners had shown that the DB2/4 had the potential to be competitive in top-flight rallying and this led to the works' direct involvement.

Three cars were prepared by the works for the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally, team manager John Wyer hiring '53 Monte winner Maurice Gatsonides as his lead driver alongside sports car regulars Reg Parnell and Peter Collins. The list of special equipment shows how much preparation had gone into the cars: twin chronometers on the dashboard, matt painted; an extra windscreen-wiper, high-mounted and vacuum-operated; electric demisters; a spare dip-switch, and more. The navigator's equipment included a map table, map box, torch, camera and duplicate horn button. The list of extra equipment was lengthy and is referred to in Nick Walker's book Aston Martin: DB2, DB2/4 & DB3 In Detail.

At Gatsonides' request, his car ('55 DMF') would be left-hand drive; the other two works cars were right-hand drive. All three cars were finished in a light metallic green. Teamed with Marcel Becquart, Gatsonides looked a certain winner as the rally entered its final stages, only to be penalised for passing a secret checkpoint many minutes ahead of schedule, a misfortune that dropped him to 7th place overall. Nevertheless, Gatsonides/Becquart had done enough to take the over 2-litre class win. The other works DB2/4s of Parnell/Klemantaski and Collins/Whitehead did not fare so well, but 3rd and 4th places in the over 2-litre class went to privately entered DB2/4s, enabling Aston Martin to claim the team prize. '55 DMF' subsequently took part in the 1955 RAC Rally but did not appear in the results, Gatsonides/Males crashing out.

Aston Martin repaired '55 DMF', including fitting a new engine block and liners, before selling it on 13th April 1956 to T L Secombe of Leominster, its first private owner. One can only assume Mr Secombe was either an enthusiastic driver (or a very unfortunate one) as the car was back at Aston Martin for accident repairs on two separate occasions during 1956.

Michael Spiegel, serving in the US Airforce, acquired '55 DMF' in 1959 and exported the car to the USA. It is said that he parted with the Aston as 'it was too fast for me!' Little more is known of '55 DMF' until its reappearance in 1980 when owned by Nick Fasola, who restored and raced the car between 1980 and 1985.

In 1997, '55 DMF' returned to UK soil and was purchased by Paul Merryweather of Parkside Motor Company. Paul was renowned in classic rallying circles and commissioned Brown & Gammons to carry out a full and detailed restoration to prepare the car for competitive rallying once again. Ron Gammons was the owner of the sister car '54 DMF', so had the best reference material available to complete an accurate and thorough restoration. At this time the car was painted Aston Racing Green and had been converted to right-hand drive so power steering could be fitted. The rebuild cost some £50,000.

In 2001, Merryweather commissioned Bonhams to auction the car, which was purchased by Richard Williams on behalf of Peter Reed, a California-based collector. RS Williams were then commissioned to prepare '55 DMF' to Peter's requirements, and in 2002 he participated in the Classic Malts of Scotland Rally.

In 2004, the present owner approached Peter Reed with a proposal: 'If I can get an entry to the Mille Miglia, will you sell me the car?' On this basis, a deal was struck. In the hands of the current owner, '55 DMF' has participated in many events including the Mille Miglia in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2015.

In 2008, the Aston Martin was invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California and shipped to America where it was exhibited. '55 DMF' has also participated in the 2004 Silvetta Classic and 2004 Rally of the Tests.

As part of the car's constant improvement and preparations for such events, the power steering system has been removed in favour of the original type of steering box. The engine has recently been subject to a total rebuild by marque experts Davron. As a consequence, '55 DMF' is in first class running order and ready for more classic rallying or the show field. The accompanying extensive history file contains; past MoTs; copy build sheets; FIVA identity card, etc.

Works prepared Aston Martins rarely come to market, and '55 DMF' is important being one of three factory-prepared team cars to contest international rallies during 1955. This was the only season when Aston Martin supported such events as a manufacturer. As an historic ex-works rally car, '55 DMF' is eligible for the Mille Miglia Storica, Tour Auto and other important historic motor sport events.

Today, '55 DMF' remains an excellent and capable rally car, as evidenced by its recent Millie Miglia performances. The car presents and drives extremely well while retaining patina and character. It is a car which would be welcomed at many of the world's finest motoring events.