Vehicle Description
Chassis Number LML/562
Engine Number VB6E/50/1294
2,580cc DOHC six-cylinder in-line
4-speed manual
Chassis LML/562 is a true one-off Aston Martin DB2/4 with unique
Drophead Coupe coachwork by Graber of Switzerland.
According to Aston Martin factory records the well respected
Carrosserie of Hermann Graber in Wichtrach, Switzerland received
this car in June 1954 in 'show' chassis form thus without coachwork
but clearly with some extra features which included heavier duty
Armstrong shock absorbers, Dunlop tires, KLG spark plugs and a
telescopic steering column in right hand drive format. Carrosserie
Graber had previously designed their drophead coachwork on three
DB2 models, and only one of these is now known to have survived.
LML/562 is the only DB2/4 ever bodied by them.
Graber's construction technique differed from the English
counterparts and whereas Feltham car bodies were fastened to the
frame, Graber actually welded his to the chassis. Furthermore, he
employed aluminum for the front section. Whilst being far more
expensive it was lighter and therefore provided for superior
performance. Steel was used from the cowl back under which lay an
oak framework in the well-honed tradition of coachbuilt
manufacture. The design of the car included a single curved
windscreen (as opposed to a split windscreen). Marchal continental
lighting, metric sizing for hardware, Smiths traditional Aston
Martin instruments and Bosch switches, the resultant combination
clearly very much entente cordiale!
The car was retailed in the Spring of 1955 though Garage Stierli of
Zurich who were the Aston Martin agents in that area of
Switzerland. It next appeared in the mid-1970s when respected Swiss
collector Hans-Peter Wideman purchased it. It came into Californian
ownership in 2007 when Los Angeles businessman Andy Gordon
purchased it for his collection and he subsequently engaged Kevin
Kay Restorations in Redding, northern California to undertake a
complete and total rebuild to show standards. This endeavor took
over 1,000 hours of workmanship and the car subsequently had its
debut at Pebble Beach in August 2010 taking a superb third in class
in the ultra-competitive Post-War Sports Touring category. The
current custodian subsequently acquired it for his collection.
Finished in an understated but wholly period-appropriate Dove Grey
and with dark blue leather interior trim, this is a uniquely
interesting coachbuilt car which should fit any world-class
collection with ease, and will definitely stand out as one-of-one
made.
