Beschreibung:

1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 MKII Fixed Head Coupé Coachwork by Tickford Chassis no. AM300/1275 Engine no. VB6J/8982,922cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine 2 SU Carburetors 140bhp at 5,000rpm 4-Speed Manual Transmission Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle 4-Wheel Drum Brakes *Incredibly rare, believed to be one of only four left hand drive Fixed Head Coupes *Formerly in the collections of 'Bob' Pond and Chuck Schwimmer *Believed to have been owned or used by David Brown's wife *Offered from long term private ownership THE ASTON MARTIN DB 2/4 The need to widen the appeal of the already-successful DB2 resulted in the launch in October 1953 of the 2+2 DB2/4. Extensive revisions to the car's rear end arrangements made room for two occasional seats and more luggage, the latter being accessed via a hatchback rear door, one of this now-common feature's earliest applications. In addition, a raised roofline, one-piece windscreen, larger bumpers and other detail styling changes differentiated the newcomer from its predecessor. Otherwise, the DB2/4 remained much the same as the DB2, employing the latter's rectangular-tube chassis, trailing arm independent front suspension and well-located live rear axle. The W O Bentley-designed, 2.6-liter, six-cylinder, twin-cam power unit came in tuned (125bhp) Vantage specification as standard for the 2/4. Despite this, the redesign's inevitable weight gain was not fully compensated for until the arrival of the 3-liter, 140bhp engine in 1954. The car's top speed was now 118mph (190km/h) with 60mph (97km/h) reached in around 11 seconds. David Brown's acquisition of Tickford Ltd in 1953 led to bodywork for the revised MkII model, launched at the London Motor Show in October 1955, being manufactured by the Newport Pagnell coachbuilder. For the first time there was a third body type on offer: a fixed-head coupé in 'notch back' style. Very attractive, the latter afforded accommodation similar to that of the drophead version but was priced the same as the three-door sports saloon. While mechanically very little different from its predecessor, the DB2/4 MkII was readily identifiable by its subtly altered lines, the most significant change being a ¾" increase in roof height that afforded greater headroom. Flashing indicators and discreet tail fins made an appearance, as did chromed trim strips running from the front wheel arch tops to the door shuts, below which the bonnet sides were now fixed, thus lightening the bonnet assembly. Interior improvements included better seats and a proper fly-off handbrake. The Aston six had been enlarged from 2.6 to 3.0 liters part way through production of the DB2/4 MkI and continued unchanged in the MkII, though a special series VB6J engine suffixed 'L' or 'L1' producing 165bhp was available as an option. Of the 199 DB2/4 MkIIs produced up to October 1957, saloons accounted for the majority with 24 built as drophead coupés, 34 as fixed-head coupés and four supplied as chassis only. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED Of the 34 fixed-head coupés made, it is believed that a mere 4 were supplied in left hand drive configuration, making this example one of the rarest of all derivatives of post-WWII Aston Martins. Chassis number AM300/1275 was sold at public auction in August 2001, having been part of the respected collection belonging to Robert 'Bob' Pond, where it was described as "originally built for and delivered to the wife of Sir David Brown", although this might seem to conflict with the left-hand drive aspect, it further stated that it "was designated for Mrs. Brown to use while in Europe". Now offered with a copy of its original build sheet, this document neither confirms nor denies such suggestion as no purchaser is actually listed as new, it simply lists B.M.C. as the agent on March 29, 1957, and states that no warranty was issued, so it is hard to establish the validity of this claim, but in any event it is an exceptionally rare example even without the possibility of this proven