Vehicle Description
Virtually since the day Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford
established Bamford & Martin in a South Kensington workshop, the
company would experience wild swings of sporting success and
brushes with financial ruin. Their Aston Martin cars (named in
honor of Martin's victory at the Aston Clinton Hillclimb) would
prove to be very popular with wealthy sportsman, yet the business
often struggled to stay afloat, and a string of investors, partners
and owners each took turns running the firm through the 1940s.
Under the leadership of A.C. Bertelli in the 1920s, Aston built
upon its motorsports accomplishments and even enjoyed a brief
period of financial security, but problems arose by the end of
Bertelli's tenure in 1937. After World War II, Aston Martin was
again put for sale with an ad placed in The Times advertising a
"high-class motor business" for �30,000. Young industrialist David
Brown answered the ad, and once in charge, he set about building
Aston's first post war sports car. Officially named the "Two Litre
Sports", but commonly known as the DB1, it wasn't a huge success,
but David Brown had a plan. He recently acquired the remains of
Lagonda along with the services of W.O. Bentley and his design for
a fabulous new 2.6 liter twin-cam six-cylinder engine. Brown saw
this engine as the perfect fit for the first complete car built by
Aston Martin under his leadership. The new DB2 featured a slick new
fully-enveloped aluminum alloy body designed by Frank Feeley, built
atop a shortened and refined version of the tubular chassis from
the DB1. Power was no longer an issue with Lagonda's delectable 2.6
liter twin-cam inline six. The DB2 was a tremendous success for
Aston Martin, with the works racing cars continuing Aston's pre-war
sporting accomplishments at LeMans, Spa and at home at the RAC
Tourist Trophy. After several prototypes were built and
successfully campaigned on track, road car production began in
1950, with the pretty fixed-head coupe (called the Saloon in
factory literature) followed by an open drophead coupe shortly
thereafter. 410 examples were built over the next three years
before the DB2/4 replaced it. Aston's DB2 has long been favored by
collectors and driving enthusiasts for its beautiful looks,
entertaining road manners, and W.O.'s sonorous inline six under the
bonnet. Presented in its handsome original livery of Post Office
Red and with numbers-matching engine, this 1952 Aston Martin DB2
Saloon is a lovely example that is prime for enjoyment in countless
events worldwide. Documentation shows LML/50/102 was originally
delivered via Denver Imported Motors of Denver, Colorado, though
the first owner's name was not listed. Both the British Motor
Industry Heritage Trust Certificate and factory service card show
the car was delivered in Post Office Red over a red-piped black
interior and that the car was uprated to Vantage spec prior to
delivery. The second owner is noted on the service card as G.S.
Toll, Esq. of Norwalk, California, although the history goes quiet
from there. Eventually, the DB2 would make its way from the San
Francisco Bay Area across the Pacific to Malaysia. It is presumed
that once in Malaysia, it was converted to RHD to suit that
country's left-side traffic laws. In the early 2000s, LML/50/102
was acquired by a German living in Kuala Lumpur who subsequently
treated the car to a comprehensive mechanical restoration centered
on a full engine rebuild, the process of which has been
well-documented through a large binder of receipts. Following its
return to the USA, it joined an East Coast collection where
recently it was extensively sorted and serviced to make it "on the
button" and enormously entertaining to drive. Today, this wonderful
Aston DB2 presents in fine condition with tidy and attractive
cosmetics that are consistent with its highly usable, event-ready
nature. The good quality red paintwork has taken on a very slight
patina since its restoration, yet it remains quite attractive
overall. Panel fit is exemplary and the aluminum alloy factory
coachwork is straight. The brightwork consists primarily of
careworn but sound original pieces, with the exception of the
bumpers which were recently refreshed. Wire wheels are painted
silver/gray and feature original and correct Aston-branded knock
offs. They wear recent 6.00-16 Michelin Pilote tires for the ideal
period-correct look and performance. The two-place cockpit is
trimmed as original in black leather with red piping. It presents
with a wonderfully inviting character that comes from moderate use,
with supple leather and fine quality carpets and trim. The dash has
been restored to a high standard, and is covered in red leather to
complement the window trim and seat piping. The wood instrument
fascia has been beautifully refinished and houses a complete array
of original switchgear and dials. The original careworn Bluemels
steering wheel was retained; full of character and corded for extra
grip during spirited driving. Since the original, matching-numbers
2.6 liter inline six was rebuilt in 2005, it has seen limited use
and continues to run exceptionally well today. The presentation
under the clamshell bonnet is very good with correct original
carburetors and ancillaries in place. A full binder of receipts
documents the complete engine rebuild, with the majority of the
parts sourced via the classic experts at Aston Service Dorset.
Since returning to the USA and while in the hands of the most
recent owner, the suspension, brakes, rear axle, wiring looms and
numerous other details were overhauled in 2016/2017. Receipts for
parts alone exceed $20,000, and the result of all of that labor and
expense is a car that performs exquisitely, with a tight and sorted
chassis that inspires confidence and delivers a highly enjoyable
drive. Presented in original colors and with its original engine,
this meticulously maintained DB2 is eligible and ideally suited for
numerous events worldwide, including the Mille Miglia, Le Mans
Classic, and Tour Auto and is a fine choice for home-bound rallies
such as the Colorado Grand or Copperstate 1000.
