Beschreibung:

'The Aston Martin DB2/4 is an expensive car designed to cater for the connoisseur of sports cars who is not limited by financial considerations.' - Autocar, 2nd October 1953. With the introduction of the '2+2' DB2/4 in October 1953, Aston Martin extended the DB2's appeal to the hitherto untapped yet increasingly important market comprised of 'sports car enthusiasts with a family'. Modifications to the rear of the chassis plus a reduction in fuel tank capacity from 19 to 17 gallons liberated sufficient space within the existing design for two child-sized occasional rear seats. Alternatively, the rear seat backs could be folded down, thus creating a load-carrying platform that more than doubled the luggage space. The latter could be accessed via the 2/4's opening rear door, a pioneering example of the now commonplace 'hatchback' concept. 'This transformation gives the Aston Martin DB2/4 an unrivalled luggage-carrying capacity in a car which should be capable in favourable circumstances of achieving two miles a minute,' reported The Motor. 'The DB2/4 can truthfully claim to be the fastest car in the world capable of carrying two people with a month's luggage.' Standard specification included the 2.6-litre 'VB6E' engine in 125bhp Vantage tune, but from early in 1954 the 3-litre 140bhp 'VB6J' engine was installed, providing 118mph top speed and 60mph in around 11 seconds. This was one of the fastest cars then built in Great Britain - with l00mph achievable in third gear and around 120mph maximum - possessing impeccable handling plus a level of comfort rare in any high-performance car. David Brown's acquisition of Tickford Ltd in 1953 led to bodywork for the revised DB2/4 MkII being manufactured by the Newport Pagnell coachbuilder. Mechanically the same as the MkI, the MkII was identifiable by its subtly altered lines, the most significant change being a ¾" increase in roof height that afforded greater headroom. Only 24 or 25 drophead coupés were constructed on the DB2/4 MkII chassis, the example offered here, 'AM300/1281' being the last completed. Delivered new in January 1957 and registered '10 CPD', the car was first owned by F & W Ingham Limited, of New Bond Street, London W1. In 1969 the Aston passed to its second owner, one C A Simmonds, remaining with the latter until 1991 when it was acquired by Dr A Isaakoglau. The fourth owner, A Visser, purchased the Aston in 2001, and the fifth, E Brumenil, in 2004. The current vendor acquired the car in 2006. In 1987 '1281' was treated to renovation of the chassis, front suspension and steering, the work being undertaken by franchised Aston Martin dealers Stratton Motor Company, in Norfolk. The car underwent further extensive restoration by Paul Michaels at Hexagon of Highgate in the early 1990s, while in 2001 minor paintwork blemishes were attended to and a complete new clutch assembly fitted. Regularly maintained, with no expense spared, while in the current vendor's care, the car benefits from recent works that include installing a Kenlowe electric cooling fan and fitting a new radiator core (sourced from the UK), shock absorbers, suspension bushes, brakes, tonneau cover, hood and hood bag. Most of this work was carried out by M B Motors 'Classic Car Service' in Courtrai, Belgium. The Aston has been used for several long tours from Belgium including trips to northern Italy, Sicily, the South of France and Wales, and has always performed faultlessly. Offered with copy build sheets, Belgian Carte Grise and full Contrôle Technique, '1268' represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire one of the rarest of post-war Aston Martin models, possessing complete ownership history from new. (Prospective purchasers should note that there is no UK V5 registration document with the car and it is not known whether the registration '10 CPD' is retrievable). « L'Aston Martin DB2/4 est une voiture chère, destinée à satisfaire l'amateur de voitures de sport en dehors de toute considération financière. »