1955 | Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mk II Convertible

ASTON MARTIN DB 2/4 MKI DROPHEAD COUPÉ

• 1 of only 73 examples built in total and 1 of the 55 DHCs with full aluminium body from H.J. Mulliner & Co 
• Fitted with the desirable and more powerful 2.9 liter VB6J engine since new
• Benefit from impressive re-built (Rex Woodgate) engine in 2019 to DB3S specification resulting in approximately 180 horsepower
• Only 5 owners since new (last owner since 1984)
• Impressively documented with 3 binders full of historical documentation 

In 1947 Aston Martin and 1948 Lagonda was bought by the David Brown Ltd. company. Sir David Brown introduced a completely new and different style Aston Martin with the introduction of the Aston Martin DB2, the prototype of the DB2 which was built for the 1949 Le Mans race.

He introduced the now famous DB initials to name all of his new models.

The Aston Martin DB2/4 was introduced in the autumn of 1953 to replace the DB2  which very successfully had competed in the 1950 and 1951 racing season.  The Aston Martin DB2/4 was the first ever sports car to have a new top-hinged hatchback, which allowed for access towards the luggage area. Only 566 examples of the DB2/4 MKI have ever been made from which only 73 were Drophead Coupe’s like the car we currently offer.

The DB2 was standard powered by a sophisticated 2.6 liter twin cam Straight-6 engine, designed by none other than W.O. Bentley. As of 1953 the upgraded 2.992 liter engine was used in the competition cars and subsequently became available for the catalogue car in 1955. 

This upgraded engine was standard delivered in this specific DB 2/4 MkI DHC . 

W.O.Bentley originally designed this power plant for Lagonda.  and it was specifically to acquire this engine that David Brown purchased Lagonda, creating a pairing that is now one of motoring’s legendary names: Aston Martin Lagonda.

The DB2/4 was launched in both, saloon and drophead versions in 1955 and whilst the drophead missed out on the hatchback, it shared all other design changes with the saloon. 

ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

This Aston Martin DB2/4 MKI Drophead Coupe is one of only 55 examples built with full aluminium body by H.J. Mulliner & Co., later Mulliner Rolls Royce and Mulliner Park Ward before David Brown acquired Tickford Coachbuilders later in 1955 to 

produce the complete DB2/4 and DB2/4DHC models within Aston Martin Lagonda.

This Aston has been newly delivered to  Mr. Parkinson from Essex, UK on 28th. of March 1955 via the Aston Martin Brooklands Dealership in London in the UK.

The Aston was sold by Mr. Parkinson to Mr. Evans from Herts, UK in 1963.

Mr. Evans sold the car in 1981 to a Mr. Heuff from Cheltenham who owned the Aston for only a short time and sold the car in 1983 to a Mr. Cleaver from Chadlington. Mr. Cleaver sold the car the same year at auction to the last owner,  who owned and drove the car for 38 years !

An impressive history file is coming with the car which shows the different owners but also the purchase invoice of the last owner in 1984. The car was bought at the Coys auction for “only” £ 11.600,- GBP. 

When the Aston Martin was bought in 1984 it was already fitted with the rare and desirable Weber carburetors from the 50’s period.  The original SU HV6 carburetors were delivered with the car and are still available for the future custodian. 

In 2018/2019 there was a complete engine re-built along Aston Martin DB3S specifications by well known Aston Martin specialist Rex Woodgate. 

Mr. Woodgate was in the 50’s the head of the race department of Aston Martin and is extremely well known for his knowledge of the DB3S engines.

A standard DB2/4 MkI engine produces 140 horsepower while this engine produces 180 to 190 horsepower depending on revs.

The performance of this engine with the old Weber carburators, improved oil channels / camshaft etc. is therefore impossible to compare to other DB2 / DB2/4’s because of the impressive power and performance.

To handle the seriously improved power of the car, the Aston also benefits from a brake booster.

During the last ownership (38 years) the Aston Martin received a variety of technical and optical updates. The seats for example are replaced by more comfortable and period correct bucket seats (the original seats will be coming with the car).

During the last ownership the car has been very well maintained at the best known companies for Aston Martin such as Roos Engineering (Switzerland and Rex Woodgate).

CONDITION EXTERIOR

The Aston can be best described as a beautiful driver. This car is not a “trailer queen” but a nicely and carefully used example. The result is a car that is in a handsome, consistent, and in a very well preserved  condition. Due to the age, one can find off-course small signs of use on the body of the car but overall the Aston has a very nice paint in “Midnight Blue” with a nice gloss and very good coverage throughout.

The panel fits are nice for a hand built DB2. 

The chrome/brightwork seems to be original and in a beautiful condition. 

The glasses are in a nice condition without big signs of use. 

The chrome wired wheels and spinners are in as new condition and are fitted with our personal preferred tires for this type of car, the Michelin Pilote X. 

CONDITION INTERIOR 

The interior of the Aston is in a beautiful condition. The leather, the carpet as well as the door panels show a beautiful patina.

The interior benefits from bucket seats which make the seat position much more comfortable than with the “standard sofa” of the catalogue car. 

The original “sofa seats” are still with the car and will be delivered to the future owner.

The centre part of the dashboard shows all the meters and gauges which are all in very nice and perfectly working condition.

The interior of this Aston Martin is a delightful engagement of purpose and beauty, which is only further enriched by the driving experience once behind the wheel. 

ENGINE COMPARTMENT / DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The engine compartment is beautifully presented. When the bonnet is opened it becomes immediately clear that the engine has been very recently rebuilt by a specialist. The 3 weber carburetors (off-course original Italian made as used on DB3S in the 50’s) make performance and appearance of the engine even more sustainable. Off-course these carburetors in combination with the special Rex Woodgate crankshaft make the driving experience extremely impressive.

The Aston has a lot of character when driven. The engine produces a beautiful breathing sound and is very fast in acceleration with also a lot of torque in lower revs.  Therefore the car can also be driven in a very comfortable way e.g. on mountain  roads. The improved seat position make the Aston a great car for long distance trips but if the driver is in the mood of some racing, apart from the engine performance, this car is suitable as well due to the responsive steering, perfect tight suspension and brakes.

This Aston is very responsive on the pedals and is ready to be used for daily trips and rallies.