Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mk1 Coupé - 1954
Chassis n° LML/668
Coachwork by Mulliners of Birmingham
Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
Bonhams
Estimated : € 130.000 - 180.000
Sold for € 170.200
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2018
- One of only 451 DB2/4 'Mark I' Saloons
- Delivered new to France
- Single family ownership since 1958
- Matching numbers and colours
- Extensive history file
'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 125 bhp Vantage tune but from early in 1954 the 3.0-litre 140 bhp 'VB6J' engine was installed, providing 118 mph top speed and 60mph in around 11 seconds. This was one of the fastest cars then built in Great Britain - with 100 mph achievable in third gear and around 120mph maximum - possessing impeccable handling plus a level of comfort rare in any high-performance car. In 1955 the factory entered three DB2/4s in that year's Monte Carlo Rally, securing the Team Prize; but for a navigational error, one would have won outright.
This particular DB2/4 was supplied new in Paris to Mr Claude Foussier, a rich Parisian industrialist, through the authorised dealership, Garage Mirabeau, which took his Aston Martin DB2 drophead coupé in part exchange. The Aston was delivered finished in Orient Blue with Beige interior, its present colour scheme, while within a few months the original SU carburettors had been swapped for Webers to liberate a few more horsepower. Mr Foussier was an avid collector, owning five Ferraris and four Maseratis between 1957 and 1968; he seldom kept his cars for very long, and parted with this Aston Martin after only a couple of years.
Passing swiftly through the hands of two further owners, one of whom was a dealer (details on file), the Aston was acquired by the current vendor's family in May 1958 (for only 3.000 French Francs) and taken to Marseille where it has resided ever since. Shortly after purchase, the Aston's new owner wanted to adjust the Weber carburettors and wrote to Edouardo Weber, receiving a detailed reply (see correspondence on file dated 1958).
Used until 1970 when it was placed in storage, the car remained off the road for the next 43 years. Over the period 2007-2013 it was extensively restored using only original parts, keeping the original colour combination, and on completion returned to the road. Accompanying documentation consists of a copy of the original guarantee form; bill of sale (1958); numerous invoices (mainly from Aston Service Dorset); condition reports (2013 and 2015); list of all works and services carried out (with odometer readings); current French Carte Grise and Contrôle Technique valid until 11/2019. A wonderful opportunity to acquire a highly original and well cared for example of this landmark Aston Martin model, offered from long-term single-family ownership.
Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mk1 Coupé - 1954
Chassis n° LML/668
Coachwork by Mulliners of Birmingham
Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
Bonhams
Estimated : € 130.000 - 180.000
Sold for € 170.200
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2018
- One of only 451 DB2/4 'Mark I' Saloons
- Delivered new to France
- Single family ownership since 1958
- Matching numbers and colours
- Extensive history file
'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 125 bhp Vantage tune but from early in 1954 the 3.0-litre 140 bhp 'VB6J' engine was installed, providing 118 mph top speed and 60mph in around 11 seconds. This was one of the fastest cars then built in Great Britain - with 100 mph achievable in third gear and around 120mph maximum - possessing impeccable handling plus a level of comfort rare in any high-performance car. In 1955 the factory entered three DB2/4s in that year's Monte Carlo Rally, securing the Team Prize; but for a navigational error, one would have won outright.
This particular DB2/4 was supplied new in Paris to Mr Claude Foussier, a rich Parisian industrialist, through the authorised dealership, Garage Mirabeau, which took his Aston Martin DB2 drophead coupé in part exchange. The Aston was delivered finished in Orient Blue with Beige interior, its present colour scheme, while within a few months the original SU carburettors had been swapped for Webers to liberate a few more horsepower. Mr Foussier was an avid collector, owning five Ferraris and four Maseratis between 1957 and 1968; he seldom kept his cars for very long, and parted with this Aston Martin after only a couple of years.
Passing swiftly through the hands of two further owners, one of whom was a dealer (details on file), the Aston was acquired by the current vendor's family in May 1958 (for only 3.000 French Francs) and taken to Marseille where it has resided ever since. Shortly after purchase, the Aston's new owner wanted to adjust the Weber carburettors and wrote to Edouardo Weber, receiving a detailed reply (see correspondence on file dated 1958).
Used until 1970 when it was placed in storage, the car remained off the road for the next 43 years. Over the period 2007-2013 it was extensively restored using only original parts, keeping the original colour combination, and on completion returned to the road. Accompanying documentation consists of a copy of the original guarantee form; bill of sale (1958); numerous invoices (mainly from Aston Service Dorset); condition reports (2013 and 2015); list of all works and services carried out (with odometer readings); current French Carte Grise and Contrôle Technique valid until 11/2019. A wonderful opportunity to acquire a highly original and well cared for example of this landmark Aston Martin model, offered from long-term single-family ownership.