LOT 111 *

1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 2.6-Litre Sports Saloon Coachwork by Mulliners of Birmingham Chassis no. LML/573 Engine no. VB6E/50/1306

Sold for €138,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 111^*

Factory Left-Hand Drive
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 2.6-Litre Sports Saloon

The Autoworld Sale|13 May 2023, 14:00 CEST|Brussels, Autoworld

1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 2.6-Litre Sports Saloon
Coachwork by Mulliners of Birmingham
Chassis no. LML/573
Engine no. VB6E/50/1306

• Original left-hand drive example
• Delivered new to Switzerland
• An older restoration
• Requires recommissioning

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'. By modifying the rear of the chassis and reducing the fuel tank capacity from 19 to 17 gallons, Aston's engineers 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."

In addition, a raised roofline, one-piece windscreen, larger bumpers and other detail styling changes differentiated the newcomer from its predecessor. Otherwise, the DB2/4 remained much the same as the DB2, employing the latter's rectangular-tube chassis, trailing arm independent front suspension and well-located live rear axle. Bodies were supplied by Mulliners of Birmingham until the advent of the MkII version in October 1955, when Tickford - recently acquired by Aston Martin's owner, David Brown - took over.

Designed at Lagonda by Willy Watson, under the supervision of W O Bentley, the 2.6-litre, six-cylinder, twin-cam power unit came in tuned (125bhp) Vantage specification as standard for the 2/4. In total, 565 of all types had been produced by the time the MkII version arrived in October 1955.
The original left-hand drive DB2/4 offered here was supplied new in March 1954 to Mr W Bosshard-Hoegger in Zurich, Switzerland, as confirmed by the copy guarantee form on file. Also on file are copies of an old Swiss Carte Grise and numerous invoices (many from renowned marque specialists Aston Service Dorset) dating from the 1990s and early 2000s together with photographs of the car undergoing a bare-metal restoration. The current vendor purchased the DB2/4 from Aaldering Classic & Sportscars Brummen in 2007, since when it has been kept in dry storage (copy invoice on file). Recommissioning will be required before the car returns to the road.

Please note that if this vehicle remains within Belgium the reduced rate of Import VAT at 6% will be charged on the hammer price. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, the VAT amount will be calculated based on your registered country's rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances with the Bonhams Customs Agents. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.

Please note that this vehicle is not offered with any original registration documents, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.

Saleroom notices

Whilst the engine (top timing chain cover) is stamped with the original engine number 'VB6E/50/1306' the stamping itself does not conform to a factory type. We are therefore unable to confirm if this car retains its original engine.

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.
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Thereafter, all lots will be packed and transferred to the PANAME Services Automobilia Storage Facility in Paris.
Customers must however notify Suzanne Kress, BY EMAIL ONLY,
[email protected], of Bonhams no later than 8pm on the day of the sale if they will be collecting their purchase that evening, or by 12 noon Sunday 14 May 2023.
In the absence of customer instructions, all Automobilia items will be removed to the Bonhams warehouse in Paris by the logistics company ACR at your expense and risk.
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The uplift and 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.
All storage and removal charges must be paid in full prior to the vehicle's collection or onward transportation. Payment must be arranged with PANAME.
All storage and removal charges must be paid in full prior to the Automobilia item's collection or onward transportation. In any case, please send us a booking email to ensure purchase(s) are ready at time of collection, at least 24 h before.
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Import low rate

TVA sur les articles importés à un taux préférentiel sur le prix d'adjudication et au taux en vigueur sur la Commission d'achat. Merci de prendre contact avec le département ou les transporteurs que nous recommandons pour plus d'information. VAT on imported items at a reduced rate on hammer price and the prevailing rate on buyer's premium. Please speak to the Department or our recommended shippers for further information. BTW op ingevoerde goederen tegen het verlaagd tarief op de hamerprijs en het geldende tarief op de aankoopprovisie. Neem gerust contact op met het bevoegde departement of onze aanbevolen transporteurs voor verdere informatie.