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American Stanley 'Wacky' Arnolt commissioned the Italian coachbuilding company Bertone, of which he was a director, to build a Spyder body for the DB2/4 chassis, and he persuaded Aston Martin to let him have some rolling chassis to work with. In all, about eight cars were built by Bertone: two drop-head coups, two fixed head coupes, and four or five spyders. This particular car is the work of Franco Scaglione, the chief designer at Bertone who also developed the body for Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 5 that same year. This car has a 3-litre Vantage engine installed after the bodywork was in place.
Stanley H. Arnolt, a self-made millionaire, opened a foreign car dealership in Chicago selling MG, Riley, Bentley, Morris, Rolls-Royce, and Aston Martin vehicles. In 1951, he struck a deal with Nuccio Bertone to build 100 examples of each of the coupe and cabriolet-bodied MGs that he had seen on the Bertone stand at the Torino Salon. This led to a partnership that would produce many memorable sports car designs of the 1950s, including this Aston Martin DB2/4 Spider.
Arnolt purchased five sequential Aston Martin DB2/4 chassis in 1953 and had them sent to Carrozzeria Bertone to be clothed with custom coachwork. The even-numbered chassis were given opulent, luxurious bodies, while 503, 505, and 507 were given sporting designs penned by Franco Scaglione. This example wears one of those designs by Scaglione.
After these three cars were completed, it became clear to Aston Martin that these cars were competition to their traditional product lineup, and refused to sell the Chicago businessman any more chassis. Nonetheless, Mr. Arnolt was able to acquire two other chassis.
Two of the three chassis fitted with this body were designed for competition and were minimally equipped for the purpose. This car, the third example, was given more luxurious appointments and a full windscreen, intricate grille, bumpers, and a full soft top. It was shown at the 1954 New York Auto Show, where it wore an Aston Martin badge in an attempt to compel the company owner, David Brown, into making the Bertone-bodied roadster an Aston Martin production model.
This car's first owner was Mr. Schwaumbauer of Wichita, Kansas, who purchased it directly off the New York show stand in 1954. Two Air Force captains, C.S. Wallen, and Charles Barnett, owned the car consecutively from 1958 into the 1970s. Captain Barnett began a restoration that was completed by its next owner, Mr. Jerry Rogers, who purchased the car in 1973. The next caretaker was W.W. Child who later sold it to Annie Abensur in Switzerland. In May of 1996, it was consigned to an auction in Geneva, where it was purchased by Carlos Monteverde. The car, which had been restored to a high standard in Switzerland, was then sold by Mr. Monteverde to its current owner sometime prior to 2003.
Roger McCouat of Somerset, England, was tasked with completely restoring the car to its original livery. The completed car was shown at the 2004 Aston Martin Owners Club's Spring Concours at Woburn Abbey, where it won the 'Feltham Aston' class. It was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2007, where it earned a class award in the Aston Martin Postwar Custom Coachwork category.
This car is powered by a 2922cc dual overhead cam six-cylinder engine fitted with two SU side-draft carburetors and offering 140 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel Alfin Drum brakes.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2016
Arnolt purchased five sequential Aston Martin DB2/4 chassis in 1953 and had them sent to Carrozzeria Bertone to be clothed with custom coachwork. The even-numbered chassis were given opulent, luxurious bodies, while 503, 505, and 507 were given sporting designs penned by Franco Scaglione. This example wears one of those designs by Scaglione.
After these three cars were completed, it became clear to Aston Martin that these cars were competition to their traditional product lineup, and refused to sell the Chicago businessman any more chassis. Nonetheless, Mr. Arnolt was able to acquire two other chassis.
Two of the three chassis fitted with this body were designed for competition and were minimally equipped for the purpose. This car, the third example, was given more luxurious appointments and a full windscreen, intricate grille, bumpers, and a full soft top. It was shown at the 1954 New York Auto Show, where it wore an Aston Martin badge in an attempt to compel the company owner, David Brown, into making the Bertone-bodied roadster an Aston Martin production model.
This car's first owner was Mr. Schwaumbauer of Wichita, Kansas, who purchased it directly off the New York show stand in 1954. Two Air Force captains, C.S. Wallen, and Charles Barnett, owned the car consecutively from 1958 into the 1970s. Captain Barnett began a restoration that was completed by its next owner, Mr. Jerry Rogers, who purchased the car in 1973. The next caretaker was W.W. Child who later sold it to Annie Abensur in Switzerland. In May of 1996, it was consigned to an auction in Geneva, where it was purchased by Carlos Monteverde. The car, which had been restored to a high standard in Switzerland, was then sold by Mr. Monteverde to its current owner sometime prior to 2003.
Roger McCouat of Somerset, England, was tasked with completely restoring the car to its original livery. The completed car was shown at the 2004 Aston Martin Owners Club's Spring Concours at Woburn Abbey, where it won the 'Feltham Aston' class. It was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2007, where it earned a class award in the Aston Martin Postwar Custom Coachwork category.
This car is powered by a 2922cc dual overhead cam six-cylinder engine fitted with two SU side-draft carburetors and offering 140 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel Alfin Drum brakes.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2016
2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $3,000,000-USD $4,000,000
Sale Price :
USD $3,080,000
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Aston Martin DB2/4
(Data based on Model Year 1954 sales)
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe by Bertone Chassis#: LML/765 Sold for USD$1,105,000 2023 RM Sothebys : New York | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 3.0-Litre Sports Saloon Coachwork by Mulliners of Chassis#: LML/574 Sold for USD$164,095 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Chassis#: LML/572 Sold for USD$168,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe by Graber Chassis#: LML 562 Sold for USD$687,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Gene Ponder Collection | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 3.0-Litre Sports Saloon Chassis#: LML/748 Sold for USD$77,532 2022 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 MK1 Saloon Chassis#: LML728 Sold for USD$103,600 2022 Bonhams : The Greenwich Auction | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 3.0-Litre Sports Saloon Chassis#: LML/574 Sold for USD$143,669 2022 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques a Monaco | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe by Bertone Chassis#: LML/506 Sold for USD$1,022,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe Chassis#: LML/506 Sold for USD$968,000 2021 Gooding : Geared Online : Scottsdale Auction | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkI Chassis#: LML 639 Sold for USD$145,935 2020 Bonhams July Motoring Auction | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Chassis#: LML687 Sold for USD$161,000 2020 Silverstone - Race Retro Classic & Competition Car Sale | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe Chassis#: LML/562 Sold for USD$720,000 2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Saloon Chassis#: LML/551 Sold for USD$190,400 2019 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe Chassis#: LML/765 Sold for USD$566,000 2019 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Chassis#: LML849 Sold for USD$140,382 2018 Silverstone Auctions : Silverstone Classic Sale | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Sports Saloon Chassis#: LML/739 Sold for USD$195,770 2018 Bonhams : The Aston Martin Sale | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark II Drophead Coupé Chassis#: 300/1266 Sold for USD$300,109 2018 Bonhams : The Aston Martin Sale | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 'Mark I' 3.0-Litre Sports Saloon Chassis#: LML/668 Sold for USD$209,193 2018 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 3.0-Litre Drophead Coupé Chassis#: LML/710 Sold for USD$480,578 2018 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe Chassis#: LML/506 Sold for USD$1,430,000 2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach |
Aston Martin DB2/4s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Sports Saloon | LML 784 | 2023 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | $325,000 | $400,000 | |
1954 ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 INDIANA SPIDER | LML/762 | 2023 Gooding & Company : London Auction | $1,200,000 | $1,800,000 | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 MK I Saloon | LML/576 | 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | $220,000 | $260,000 | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupé | LML/839 | 2023 Bonhams : Festival of Speed | $300,000 | $350,000 | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkI 3.0-Litre Sports Saloon | LML791 | 2022 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | $95,000 | $115,000 | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2-4 | 2016 Barons Connoisseurs Classic Car Collection | ||||
1954 ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 MARK I 3.0-LITRE DROPHEAD COUPÉ | LML/816 | 2016 Bonhams : The Aston Martin Works Sale | $200,000 | $250,000 | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupé | LML/818 | 2015 RM Sotheby's London Auction | $220,000 | $270,000 | |
1954 ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 DROPHEAD COUPE | LML/736 | 2015 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction | $450,000 | $500,000 | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 – Two Owners from new | LML/649 | 2013 Coys Blenheim Palace | $95,000 | $110,000 | |
1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 2.9 Litre Saloon | LML/730 | 2012 H & H Newbury Racecourse |
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Similar sales to the $430,332 range.
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2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Chassis#:WDDAJ76F46M001052 Sold for $434,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Chassis#:WP0CF2A93KS172079 Sold for $428,500 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
2017 FERRARI F12 BERLINETTA 70TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Chassis#:ZFF74UFA9H0228828 Sold for $428,500 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island Concours | |
2005 Ford GT Chassis#:1FAFP90SX5Y401565 Sold for $434,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1967 Chevrolet Yenko Super Camaro 450 Chassis#:124377n241669 Sold for $429,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
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2011 Porsche 911 Speedster Chassis#:WP0CB2A93BS795584 Sold for $428,500 2023 RM Sothebys : The White Collection | |
2005 Ford GT Chassis#:1fafp90s25y401818 Sold for $429,000 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | |
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 'Lightweight' Chassis#:911.360.1403 Sold for $428,500 2023 Bonhams : Audrain Concours Auction | |
1999 Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S Chassis#:002 Sold for $428,500 2023 Bonhams : Quail | |
1937 Delage D8-120 Chapron Cabriolet Chassis#:51624 Sold for $434,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
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1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon Project Chassis#:DB5/1500/R Sold for $428,222 2023 Bonhams : Festival of Speed | |
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1954 Aston Martin DB2/4
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1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Vehicle Profiles
Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: BertoneDesigner: Giovanni Michelotti
Chassis #: LML/506
Engine #: VB6E/50/337