FOR SALE

1953 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage

Three prototype DB2s were tested and raced throughout 1949, and the new production model was announced by Aston Martin in the Spring of 1950 timed to coincide with the New York Auto Show in April. Their meticulous preparation and testing paid off, the car was an instant success with press and public alike and 100 orders were taken at the show, and bearing in mind that only 15 DB1s had been sold throughout production.

The DB2 was everything that its predecessor the DB1 was not… The old four-cylinder 1970cc 90bhp engine of the earlier car was replaced by a brand new 105 bhp dual overhead cam 2,580cc, straight, six-cylinder engine designed by W.O. Bentley. The future of the company was thus secured with this exciting sports car.

With the increase in performance and an exciting new body style, the DB2 set the pace not only for Aston Martin but for all future British GT’s. with Autocar saying “it is difficult to give too much praise to the handling and performance of the DB2 sports saloon” and very soon the competition successes were racking up: 5th and 6th at Le Mans and 1st in the 3.0 litre class and tied for first place on handicap in a race in which the only Jaguar to finish was 12th and all five Ferrari’s retired. The following year at Le Mans the DB2 placed 3rd and 5th overall, taking the 1st 2nd and 3rd places in the 3.0 litre class and in the Mille Miglia it was 1st in the over 2-litre Vetturi Veloci class.

The Aston Martin DB2 for sale at The Classic Motor Hub, LML /50/390, was delivered with the Kent registration number RKE 700 to its first owner Rodualdo Michalkiewicz in April of 1953 making it one of the very last production cars. The following year he entered the RAC International Rally of Great Britain as one of a three car Aston Martin Team, the Scottish International Rally and the RAC Prescott Rally. The car was being regularly serviced by Aston Martin and it is these period service records that detail the fitting of a more sporty 4.1:1 ratio rear axle replacing the standard 3.77: 1 unit to produce greater torque.

The following year the car was sold to AJS and Matchless Isle of Man T.T. rider William Scott and re-registered TPC 846. At some point during the next 15 years the car was allocated the current number TKR 51 and was bought through Brooklands Motors by H.R. Fortescue JP, still in its original moonbeam grey livery with red leather interior. Crossing the Atlantic in 1974 there followed a number of enthusiastic Canadian and American owners who continued to pamper the car and add to the fascinating 3-volume history file that accompanies the sale.

Mechanically and cosmetically this Aston Martin DB2 is superb throughout, with photographs and invoices contained in the files detailing its engine re-build with an Arrow precision billet racing crankshaft, Cosworth lip rear main seal and Alperform billet camshafts, a lightened flywheel and a ZF S5-18/3 5-speed gearbox which effectively gives the car a 20% overdrive in top and makes cruising the car much more comfortable (the original 4-speed gearbox accompanies the sale). A bare metal respray to Ecurie Ecosse Blue was carried out with new grey Burgundy hide interior, new wiring loom and 45 years of correspondence and maintenance records. An extremely versatile 50’s sports car that is eligible for the world’s greatest rallies and competition events providing a comfortable and reliable entry with the rare benefit of period competition use and a history file that is rarely so comprehensive.

Road and Track stated of their December 1951 test in Phil Hills DB2 “Phil Hills Aston Martin is found to be one of the best handling and fastest cars ever

tested by the Road and track staff” and this was a non-vantage example!

This Aston Martin DB2 is available for sale and immediate inspection at The Classic Motor Hub.

Words & photographs: The Classic Motor Hub