1955 | Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mk II

1955 AstonMartin DB2/4 3.0 litre
Chassis Number: LML/1038
Engine Number: VB6J/628
UK Registration Number: PNP 828
Date of first reg: 6th October 1955
Coming to us in impeccable condition from a lady owner whom had this car purchased as a gift for her by her late husband.
The car is finished in immaculate British Racing Green paintwork in flawless condition thoughout. To the interior is pale green leather piped in dark green, again in super condition. It has just had a full recommissioing service by Kenworthy Engineering after a brief lay up & is runniing superbly. This is a car with a massive history file the contents of which is detailed below. It was far too big to photograph in its entirety. Suffice to say it wants for nothing.
Options Include: 72 spoke Wire Wheels, Moto Lita Steering Wheel, Alperform Cylinder Head, Electric Power Steering, LED Headlamps, High Lift Cam Shaft, Twin Stainless Steel Exhaust System.
The DB 2/4 was introduced at the London Motor Show in 1953. A development of the well received DB2, the 2/4 was to overcome the restrictions of a two seater with the addition of two occasional rear seats. Luggage capacity also increased with access via a third door or tailgate featuring an enlarged rear window. The luggage space can be further enhanced by folding down the rear seats. At the time, when three door cars were a rarity, this almost justified the comment, attributed to the Bentley Drivers Club, that the car was then the fastest shooting brake in the world.
The DB 2.6 engine is the production version of W.O. Bentley's last brain child, conceived during the latter part of the second World War. With a capacity of 2,580 c.c. the Vantage engine was fitted as standard equipment until the 3.0 litre engine was introduced in April 1954 In 1955 three cars were prepared as works entries for the Monte Carlo Rally and won the team prize. Later that year two of the cars went on to compete in the Mille Miglia. The Mark II was introduced at the London Motor Show in October 1955. It has the same chassis and mechanical specification as the DB2/4. Fitted as standard, was the 2922 c.c. VB6J engine, which developed 140 b.h.p. at 5,000 r.p.m. However, as David Brown had bought Tickford at Newport Pagnell two years earlier, the bodywork for the Mark II was the first to be made there. There was little change in the general appearance, but there are many minor trim differences and modifications. The roof line was increased by 3/4 inch to give extra head room and this model is longer by 2 inches. Inside, the seats have a better shape and the hand brake was replaced by a proper fly-off lever now situated on the floor. In all 199 Mk II's were built.
A special series engine, denoted by an L suffix, said to develop 165 b.h.p., was offered as an option. The L cylinder head has larger valves and high lift camshafts. High compression pistons, giving 8.6:1, were also offered as an optional extra for competition, along with a larger fuel tank, close-ratio gearbox, racing clutch and 40 DCO Weber's. A Mark II with standard cylinder head (chassis number AM300/1145) was road tested by Autosport (May 31st 1957), for which 0-60 and 0-100 m.p.h. acceleration times of 10 and 28 sec., a standing 1/4 mile in 17 sec. and a maximum speed of 118.4 m.p.h. were recorded. Roy Salvadori described the same car in Autocourse, (May 1957).
Feltham Astons have developed a real following as their values and virtues have converged making them a real asset to any collection or a great car for any motoring enthusiast.
Presented with a sense of timeless patina & the match of the car colour with its wire wheels delivers a real essence of period. But the maintenance over the past 20 years means that the beauty is much more than skin deep. And it is truly ready for a new owner thanks to an expenditure by the current owner of over £75,000 pounds during his stewardship of the car & the Alperform head means smooth power delivery whilst the electric power steering makes the car much easier to handle and good vision with the new lights
If you are a Goodwood regular, you may have seen this lovely car on the Lavant Bank, a great example of a great Aston Martin & next time, you may be the owner!
Vehicle History
According to a copy of the original record card from Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd., this particular car was supplied new via Cyril Williams Motors to one Mr R E Palethorpe of Palethorpes Ltd, Tipton, Staffs. With the manufacturers guarantee being issued on 6th October 1955. On the same record card, a further three owners are recorded, two of them being in the Sussex area, the third being a Mr Derek Shaw, of Boston, Lincs owning the car in 2001.
However, the best record we have predates Mr Shaw and are the well documented service records that run from 1994. The first set of invoices relate to a Mr Rondeau of Wickford in Essex who bought the car from a Timothy Page of Worthing. The history file includes his successful efforts with the Aston Martin Owners Club to restore the original registration number to the car. He conducted a fair amount of work with Central Auto Repairs.
One assumes that Mr Rondeau sold the car to the above mentioned Mr Shaw but the history folder's next entry shows the car for sale by a dealer, John Brown in an advert in Classic Cars in July 2002. It was purchased from the dealer by a John Bullock of Somerset and what follows is an object lesson in the sense of having an Appraisal Report as the Bill of Sale notes a warranty of just one month on moving parts only of the engine, gearbox and axle. The appraisal was closely followed by a number of invoices from Chris Shenton involving a substantial engine rebuild!
Mr Bullock was happy with the car and the history records ongoing maintenance and service through to 2007 when it was first brokered with the services of Byron International to its current owner. Pleased to note that prior to purchase, the car received a thorough Road Test & Report and on 11th October the car changed hands.
The previous owner but one was a true Aston enthusiast and the DB2/4 has shared garage space with a DB6 and we are pleased to say that the owner continued to maintain the car thoroughly, to improve it and invested substantially & notably having a comprehensive overhaul of the car through Trinity Engineering in 2013 and most recently, the car had the benefit of a new Alperform Head fitted by Vantage Engineering along with electric power steering, which has allowed the fitment of a smaller diameter Moto Lita Steering Wheel Steering Wheel for comfort and ease of access (original included), also LED lights for improved nighttime vision.
The focus of is faultless running & because the current owner is a user of the car & perhaps illustrated by his participation in the Goodwood Road Racing Club (GRRC) Tour de France. A photo taken at the top of Mount Ventoux on that tour shows the expectation of true Aston enthusiasts of their cars.
MOT History

MOT Date Odometer
18.12.97 00,012
06.07.99 01,482
06.02.01 01,513
04.02.02 02,392
11.07.02 02,878
18.06.03 02,984
31.07.04 05,709
01.07.05 07,143
16.09.06 08,242
24.07.08 08,790
29.07.09 10,433
19.07.10 10,897
22.07.11 11,879
27.07.12 12,534
11.09.13 12,952
Service and Maintenance Record
28.11.55- Mileage: 01,910- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Air intake grille made up and fitted, plugs checked and refitted, clutch carbon ring replaced. Allen screw on N/S Jacking Pad replaced, interior light rectified. Paintwork on boot rectified
16.11.56- Mileage: 18,134- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Engine stripped, cylinder liner seals in crankcase renewed, new oil control rings fitted, radiator hoses renewed. Large port type cylinder head fitted, twin exhaust system fitted, brake shoes replaced, brakes bled, handbrake cable replaced. Trailing arm bushes and pins fitted. Rear shock absorber fitted, dent in panel beaten out, o/s door panel rear wing panel repaired. Paintwork renovated. Rear brake 3 union modified for clearance
21.07.59- Mileage: 06,615- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Repairs carried out to rear suspension, supply and fit new trailing arm brackets to both sides of chassis
24.10.94- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: The Aston Workshop
Parts only: Gallery housing
10.07.95- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: AMOC
Registration number recovery
29.05.96- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Service Dorset
Parts only: Cylinder block assembly, thermostat housing connection
19.11.97- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Central Auto Repairs
To makeup section in near side rear wing and weld in. To make up section in boot aperture and weld in. Weld in section to tail gate, weld in section in bulkhead and lead load. Repair damage to rear panels, roof and off side rear wing. Touch up offside door. Paint back end, blow in roof as necessary. Paint bulkhead. Make up battery holder and paint. Make up front and rear number plate backings, modify overiders to fit bumpers, modify door lock
05.07.02- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: JohnBrown
Sale of car to new owner
25.07.02- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Robert Thorne Motor Repairs
Car inspection on sale of the car
15.01.03- Mileage: 02,983- Service Agent: Chris Shenton
Investigate head gasket problem, No 1 liner seating incorrectly. Remove bonnet, drain off and remove sump & plate. Note excess fuel in oil. Remove caps & pistons and rods Remove liners and shims, clean all parts to inspect. Check liners, rebuild cylinder head, head skimmed
12.02.03- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Rudler
Custom Car Cover
27.02.03- Mileage: 02,983- Service Agent: Chris Shenton
Valve seats etc machined, rebuilt engine, fit ancillaries. Water pump housing corroded so replaced. Engine continued to give problems & advise for new liners, pistons and possibly new con rods
07.07.03- Mileage: 02,983- Service Agent: Chris Shenton
Remove dashboard top, source period type interior mirror and fit, drilling and tapping dash board top to suit, refit top. Remove doors to & adjust catches and hinges for best fit, supply and fit driver's door mirror. Touch in paint chips. Adjust catch on boot lid to allow to open freely.
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