To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' London event, 24 October
2019.
Estimate:
£310,000 - £350,000
- U.S.-specification example, delivered new to California
- Retains its original engine
- Correct period upgrades
The DB2/4 defined forever the essence of what an Aston Martin
should be, and later-production examples were the best of their
kind. By 1958 the David Brown era was well under way with
international competition success and a new base at Newport
Pagnell.
The DB2/4 had achieved success on international rallies and
attracted high-profile buyers, including the kings of Belgium and
Jordan, plus land speed record holder Donald Campbell. Styling cues
including the grille and dashboard designs would continue into the
later DB line of cars.
The DB2/4 Mk III had been refined through development and now
featured a 2.9-litre engine redesigned by Tadek Marek, which
customers could order in standard form or in two levels of tuning.
It benefitted from better seats and was available as either a coupe
or as a Tickford drophead convertible of which just 84 examples
were made. Road & Track described it as 'a car for connoisseurs'.
Production would end in 1959 with the arrival of the DB4.
The car also played a role in Ian Fleming's novel Goldfinger,
starting the marque's association with James Bond.
The car presented here left the factory as a LHD example with a
four-speed manual gearbox finished in Deep Carriage Green with
light cream Connolly leather, black Everflex roof, and whitewall
Avon tyres. It was delivered on 2 July 1958 to Hans Baruch of
Berkeley, California. Still in California, it was purchased in 1999
by a Californian collector of 1950s sports cars.
He commenced a restoration and took the opportunity to enhance its
specification with period upgrades. This was based on exacting
research that included correspondence with the original Aston
Martin U.S. service engineer�which is retained with the car.
Invoices detail engine upgrades including new intake valves,
exhaust valves, and bronze guides.
After the completion of the restoration, it was used for touring
and featured at a number of concours events. Today the car is
presented in light grey blue with matching leather interior and
navy hood tonneau, with the odometer reading 78,000 miles. This
fabulous example of a David Brown-era convertible is ready to be
enjoyed by another Aston Martin enthusiast.
Please note that contrary to the printed catalogue, the estimate is
£310,000 - £350,000. Furthermore, UK registration has been applied
for and the new UK V5C registration document will follow
post-sale.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/lf19.