Beschreibung:

1929 ASTON MARTIN INTERNATIONAL 1½ LITRE TWO SEATER Registration No. XB 8029 Chassis No. S 19 Engine No. tba Red with black leather interior. Engine: four cylinder, 1498cc, racing camshaft, competition pistons; Gearbox: four speed and reverse; Brakes: mechanical type; Suspension: semi-elliptic front and rear. Right hand drive. Although the first Aston Martin prototype was made in 1920, official production did not get under way properly until 1926 when Aston Martin Motors Limited was formed; the new car ready for the London Motor Show and built at the new Feltham Works. This was now under the organisation of Augustus "Bert" Bertelli. The stand at the 1927 Olympia Motor Show displayed three cars; Sports, Tourer and Saloon models. It was Bertelli who understood the allure of competition success and the knock-on effect on Aston Martin products and indeed, the first International was unveiled in the autumn of 1928, an 11.9hp car with a top speed of over 80mph. A feature now was the use of dry sump lubrication. Chassis S 19 is one of the six, two seater International models which was first registered in February 1929 to the Hon Max Aitken, later to become Lord Beaverbrook. Amongst his competition drives was a win in the 1929 M.C.P One Hour Trial at Brooklands. The car changed hands in 1931 and then appears again in the Autocar on 26 September 1941. Apparently the car was found in the Autumn, abandoned in a field, engine seized, in Swanage, Dorset. Despite several months efforts to contact the owner, the car was towed away, by a 1926 Lancia. Eventually the previous owner acknowledged the efforts to pay for the car, by endorsing and accepting a cheque for £4. The article in the Autocar continues to explain that "the engine, which had not been drained, was seized up, was freed by crowbars and unexpectedly started immediately although there was no oil pressure......the seizure thus being explained". With a little more attention, other than tweaking the magneto and carburettors, the engine was declared almost perfect and capable of around 75mph. Further research in the Aston Martin archives revealed that in 1931 a new engine with high compression head had been fitted. The ownership history is known between 1944 and 1952, and by 1957 the car had passed to a Mr Douglas of Rayleigh, Essex. In early 1978 the Aston passed into the hands of David Taylor well known restorer of pre-war Astons, who recognised the importance of S19 and began a comprehensive restoration, which lasted for almost 10 years. The chassis was stripped to bare metal, cleaned and enamelled. The running gear, brakes, suspension and steering were completely overhauled. The engine, gearbox and back axle were also rebuilt, whilst the engine was fitted with a racing camshaft and competition pistons. Further work included re-metalling the crankshaft before balancing and fitting a competition cylinder-head with triple Zenith carburettors. The body was also completely re-built to an extremely high standard indeed, and in 1989 the car won its class at the AMOC Concours. It remains in exceptionally fine condition, with unmarked bright red paintwork and black leather seats, black carpeting and trim. The performance is sprightly to say the least, and the exhaust note very appealing when on full song. The car has a current MOT. Being an ultra-rare, two seater model in such lovely condition and with a fascinating history, it makes a very desirable vintage Aston Martin.