1955 Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mark I FastBack Coupe

By 1953 the DB2 had grown into a four-place saloon, and receiving the name DB2/4. The standard configuration was the fastback bodywork, and essentially giving the world its first modern hatchback. In the mid-1954s a 3.0-liter engine block was developed generating 140 horsepower and carrying the car to speeds of 120 mph.

In 19555 the MKII version of the DB2/4 was introduced. It featured a redesigned bonnet and dashboard, and two individual bucket seats replaced the bench of the earlier cars.

This vehicle was chassis number AM3001103 was the first of just 34 production MKII Fixed Head Coupes (FHC), also known as notchback coupes, built by Aston Martin. The idea for the FHC had come about through a 1954 MKI with chassis number LML/515. It had been sent to Mulliner of Birmingham to be fitted with a fixed 'hardtop' roof with similar roof lines to that of the convertible. The result was aesthetically pleasing plus it added additional headroom for the rarely used rear seats. This vehicle, AM3001103, was based on the prototype LML/515 and completed in October of 1955. It was created from aluminum alloy at the Tickford works in Newport Pagnell. It is believed to have been the factory demonstrator and possibly the London Motor Show Car.

After its show tour the car was sold to its first owner, J. Kennedy of Ealing. It was later purchased by M.H. White of Ealing who later brought the car to North America. It was bought by an individual from Toronto in 1978. Under this new ownership the car was extensively restored during a ten year time period. It was finished in its original two-tone color scheme of Bayard Crimson with Devon Stone and accented nicely with its beige Connolly leather and Wilton carpets.

Upon complete the car was brought to the UK Aston Martin Owner's Club's Britsmorton Court Concours in 1993 where it took top class honors. In the mid-1990s the car was purchased by London dealer Andre Bloom on behalf of a well-known collection where it remained until the summer of 2005 when it was purchased by another individual and imported to California.

In 2007 it was brought to the Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $125,000 - $175,000. It was offered without reserve and sold for a high bid of $121,000.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007