Manufactured by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin, the first Aston-Martins (the hyphen is correct for the period) rapidly established a reputation for high performance and sporting prowess in the immediate post-WWI years. Unfortunately, the management’s concentration on motor sport, while accruing invaluable publicity, distracted it from the business of manufacturing cars for sale, the result being just 50-or-so cars sold by 1925, when the company underwent the first of what would be many changes of ownership. The foundations were laid for the commencement of proper series production with the formation of Aston Martin Motors Ltd in 1926 under the stewardship of Augustus Bertelli and William Renwick. Built at the firm’s new Feltham works, the first ‘new generation’ Aston Martins were displayed at the 1927 London Motor Show at Olympia. Like his predecessors, Bertelli understood the effect of competition success on Aston Martin sales and sanctioned the construction of two works racers for the 1928 season. Based on the 1.5-litre, overhead-camshaft road car, the duo featured dry-sump lubrication, and this feature was carried over to the International model introduced for 1929. Chassis number ‘S19’ is one of six two-seater International models produced and was first registered to the Hon. Max Aitken, later to become Lord Beaverbrook. Amongst his competition drives was a win in the 1929 MCC 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 had been found abandoned in a field, engine seized, in Swanage, Dorset. After several months of fruitless efforts to contact the owner, the car was towed away. 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, 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 cylinder 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 a 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, while the brakes, suspension and steering were completely overhauled. The engine, gearbox and rear axle were all rebuilt, and the body completely restored to an extremely high standard. On completion, the car won its class at the 1989 AMOC Concours. The vendor purchased the car at auction in March 1997 and reports that it remains cosmetically very good throughout. Finished in bright red with matching leather interior, the vehicle benefits from a new black soft-top and is offered with UK Swansea V5 document and Swiss registration/roadworthiness papers. Being an ultra-rare, two-seater model and possessing a fascinating history, ‘S19’ is a highly desirable vintage Aston Martin. No Reserve.
Manufactured by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin, the first Aston-Martins (the hyphen is correct for the period) rapidly established a reputation for high performance and sporting prowess in the immediate post-WWI years. Unfortunately, the management’s concentration on motor sport, while accruing invaluable publicity, distracted it from the business of manufacturing cars for sale, the result being just 50-or-so cars sold by 1925, when the company underwent the first of what would be many changes of ownership. The foundations were laid for the commencement of proper series production with the formation of Aston Martin Motors Ltd in 1926 under the stewardship of Augustus Bertelli and William Renwick. Built at the firm’s new Feltham works, the first ‘new generation’ Aston Martins were displayed at the 1927 London Motor Show at Olympia. Like his predecessors, Bertelli understood the effect of competition success on Aston Martin sales and sanctioned the construction of two works racers for the 1928 season. Based on the 1.5-litre, overhead-camshaft road car, the duo featured dry-sump lubrication, and this feature was carried over to the International model introduced for 1929. Chassis number ‘S19’ is one of six two-seater International models produced and was first registered to the Hon. Max Aitken, later to become Lord Beaverbrook. Amongst his competition drives was a win in the 1929 MCC 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 had been found abandoned in a field, engine seized, in Swanage, Dorset. After several months of fruitless efforts to contact the owner, the car was towed away. 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, 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 cylinder 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 a 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, while the brakes, suspension and steering were completely overhauled. The engine, gearbox and rear axle were all rebuilt, and the body completely restored to an extremely high standard. On completion, the car won its class at the 1989 AMOC Concours. The vendor purchased the car at auction in March 1997 and reports that it remains cosmetically very good throughout. Finished in bright red with matching leather interior, the vehicle benefits from a new black soft-top and is offered with UK Swansea V5 document and Swiss registration/roadworthiness papers. Being an ultra-rare, two-seater model and possessing a fascinating history, ‘S19’ is a highly desirable vintage Aston Martin. No Reserve.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
