1953 | Aston Martin DB 2 Vantage DHC

• Rare and stylish: original colour scheme in ‘Sea Green’ metallic (light green) with leather interior in light green and beige soft top
• Powerful ‘Vantage’ version ex works
• Engine true to type, replaced by Aston Martin in 1959
• Extensive complete restoration by brand specialist in Hamburg over approx. seven years, completed in 2021
• Very well documented with built sheet on delivery specs, service log, comprehensive ownership history, invoices & photos on restoration
• Early milestone from Aston Martin – the origin of the ‘DB’ success story that established the brand's sporting reputation

According to the available build sheet, this Aston Martin DB2 as a Drop Head Coupé (convertible) was delivered from the factory on 12 May 1953 and went to the dealer ‘Cyrill Williams Motors’ near Birmingham. It was a powerful ‘Vantage’ version, which achieved an output of 125 hp thanks to larger SU carburettors. The original colour scheme of the time is now completely ‘Matching Colours’ with a paint finish in ‘Sea Green’ (light green metallic), a leather interior in light green, green carpet and a soft top in beige. In addition to the build sheet, there is a service log from Aston Martin that was kept until 1959 and which notes the first two owners in Birmingham and Cornwall. It also shows that the car received a replacement engine from Aston Martin in 1959 – also a Vantage version. This engine is still installed in the car today. The sporty DB2 remained in the UK and had several other owners over the 1960s and 1970s under the original registration ‘LDA 727’ (from 1953), which are listed in the original preserved ‘Registration Book’. A British V5 licence is available from 1983 under the same registration number. It can therefore be assumed that the car was always based in Great Britain. The sports car subsequently came to Germany to a well-known Aston Martin collector in Hamburg. A German vehicle registration document from 1986 is available for this ownership. He kept the DB2 until his death in the year 2002.

The current owner in Hamburg acquired the Aston Martin from his estate in 2015 and commissioned a complete restoration as close as possible to the original delivery specification. This work was carried out and coordinated by a passionate Aston Martin specialist in Hamburg. The body and chassis were separated (frame-off) and the necessary body work was carried out on original body negatives by the trusted expert of the long-time previous owner. In the course of the restoration, the original colour scheme (see above) was also recreated and the paintwork in ‘Sea Green’ metallic was finished according to the old original recipe. The renewed light green leather of the interior was provided by the Connolly manufactory in England. In addition, a twin-flow stainless steel exhaust system was installed, which provides an impressive sound. This restoration work is very thoroughly documented with photos and invoices. The original chrome bumpers are available, but were not fitted for a more purist look. The restoration took place over a period of seven years and was completed in 2021. Since then, the car has not been re-registered for road use again. However, the necessary expert reports for the individual operating licence and for classification as a classic car (§21 and §23 StVZO) were provided for a registration in Germany.

This Aston Martin DB2 combines two model-specific features: Firstly, it is an original Vantage version delivered by the factory. And second, it is a rare convertible version, which was often referred to as a ‘Drop Head Coupé’ by British automobile brands at the time. The original colour scheme is likely to be extremely rare then as now and the fresh ‘Sea Green’ metallic provides this example with a sporty and elegant appearance. It comes very close to the ‘Aston Racing Green’ colour of the later factory racing cars. The elaborate and high-quality restoration makes the car look as good as new from the factory. Overall cost of this DB2 project – purchase of the vehicle plus the restoration – amounts to around 450,000 EUR. Today's asking price is just over half of that and offers the rare opportunity to acquire an extremely attractive Aston Martin DB2 Vantage as a Drop Head Coupé in top condition at an interesting price.