Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 23
1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 MK1 Saloon Chassis no. LML617 Engine no. 14C147344 (see text)
Sold for US$64,960 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 23
1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 MK1 Saloon
1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 MK1 Saloon
Chassis no. LML617
Engine no. 14C147344 (see text)
Chassis no. LML617
Engine no. 14C147344 (see text)
4,638cc OHV Chevrolet V8 Engine (see text)
Single Carburetor (see text)
245bhp at 5,000rpm (see text)
3-Speed Manual Transmission (see text)
Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Rare, factory left hand drive Coupe
*Delivered new to Long Island
*Offered with copy of the factory build sheet
*Powered by a Corvette V8
THE ASTON MARTIN DB2/4
"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, October 2, 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 favorable 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-liter 'VB6E' engine in 125bhp Vantage tune but from early in 1954 the 3.0-liter 140bhp 'VB6J' engine was installed, providing 118mph top speed and 60mph in around 11 seconds. This was one of the fastest cars then built in Great Britain - with 100mph achievable in third gear and around 120mph maximum - possessing impeccable handling plus a level of comfort rare in any high-performance car. In 1955 the factory entered three DB2/4s in that year's Monte Carlo Rally, securing the Team Prize; but for a navigational error, one would have won outright.
THE CAR OFFERED
LML 617 carries with it a copy of the original factory build record and from that we know that it was originally destined for these shores, being ordered new by Thomas D. Neelands, Jr of Sands Point, New York, through local agents Inskip. Mr Neelands, a pioneer in the aviation consulting business who helped merger into existence some of the airlines we fly today was a regular buyer of English sports and luxury cars. He took delivery of the car on October 8, 1955 and from this same document it is confirmed that originally it would have been equipped with the more desirable 3 liter unit, which had just been introduced as standard, sporting twin SU carbs, married to a rear axle with 3.73 ratio. Being for this market, but still relatively rare for its day the British sports car was built in left-hand drive configuration. Its Mulliners coachwork was painted a understated 'Blue Haze' and the interior trimmed in Grey and Blue piped Connolly hides, with matched Grey carpets. The Aston would have been joined a Bentley S1 Continental Drophead, s/n BC54LAF, which arrived in Neelands garage six months later.
The early history of the Aston is otherwise undocumented. At some point the original straight six was replaced with a Chevrolet 283/245hp V8 from a 1958 Corvette. Fitted with a modern alternator and linked to a 3-speed manual transmission, the engine bay appears to be otherwise largely unrestored. Outside, the Aston has been finished in silver with a matching silver/grey interior that has been retrimmed more leather and newer carpets.
Unused in the last 9 years of its current ownership, a thorough check over would be recommended before the car is returned to the road. The new owner can choose to keep this as an Anglo-American hotrod with engine parts available everywhere or source an original inline six for it. These cars remain popular tour cars, which this more driver quality example might lend itself to well.
Additional information
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