1952 Aston Martin DB2 FastBack Coupe

This 1952 Aston Martin DB2 Coupe was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida. It was offered without reserve and estimated to sell between $40,000 - $60,000. It is powered by a 2922cc double overhead cam six-cylinder engine and produces just over 160 horsepower. There are four-wheel drum brakes and a four-speed manual gearbox.

Keeping in the sprit of owner, David Brown, the first DB2 vehicles were Factory Works cars intended for racing competition. At the 1950 24 Hours of LeMans, the DB2s finished 5th and 6th overall and 1st and 2nd in class. A year later, they finished 3rd, 5th, and 7th overall, as well as sweeping the top three positions in their three-liter class.

The engine that lay under the graceful bonnet had been originally designed by Willie Watson for Lagonda under the supervision of Lagonda's Chief Engineer W. O. Bentley. It is a 2.6-liter DOHC inline six-cylinder unit with hemispherical combustion chambers and produced an impressive amount of horsepower. It was also reliable, which made a fierce competitor in endurance racing.

The 12-inch drum brakes aided in keeping the car in the driver's control. The handcrafted alloy coachwork was rigid, yet lightweight. The interior was rather accommodating with leather and wool trimming. There was even ample luggage space with seating for two. Production totaled over 400 units.

This example shown was first owned by a Agustin LeGretta who purchased the car via the Mexican dealer Autos Europeos on November 11th of 1952. After a short stint in Mexico, it was sold to a New Yorker who was an active member of the Aston martin Owner's Club. He campaigned the car extensively in numerous vintage rallies including the 1988 Carrera Panamericana, the Colorado Grand, the Copperstate 1000 and numerous New England 1000s.

One of its owners entered the DB2 in the Carrera Panamericana. In later years, the car was treated to a mechanical restoration which included a complete engine rebuild.

At auction, the car sold near the high value of the estimated value. It found a new owner for $56,100.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2010