1951 Aston Martin DB2 Fastback Coupe

Aston Martin announced the DB2, the first model built under the ownership of David Brown, at the New York Auto Show in 1950. The car's notoriety was taken to new levels when Briggs Cunningham took delivery of the first Vantage-upgraded DB2 and campaigned it to a 2nd in Class finish at the first Sebring race in December of that year. Aston Martin built 411 copies of the DB2 before it was replaced by the DB2/4 in 1953.

This Aston Martin DB2 was delivered new to Phil Hill when it was first retailed as a new car via International Motors in Beverly Hills. The Aston Martin DB2's 90-day guarantee commenced on September 15th of 1951, and the car was submitted immediately to Road & Track magazine for a road test, appearing in the December 1951 issue. This was followed by a similar feature in the February 1952 issue of Motor Trend with another glowing review by Phil Hill.

Phil Hill sold the DB2 to fellow racer Douglas Trotter, who raced the car at nearly a dozen venues across California over the next two years. The car won the Novice Trophy at Palm Springs. In April, the car dropped a valve while racing at Pebble Beach. Due to a delay in the arrival of factory parts, Trotter replaced the Aston Martin engine initially with a Studebaker unit then found success with a race-prepared GMC straight-six. Side louvers were added for cooling. The Aston/GMC went on to several motor starts and at least one podium finish came at Moffett Field, in August 1953.

The coupe was sold in early 1954, along with its original engine, to fellow Stocktonian Norman Milne. Mr. Milne repaired the engine and returned the DB2 to its stock configuration. The car had two additional short-term owners. By May of 1963, Alan Selby of Santa Rosa purchased LML/50/66 and would retain ownership for the next half-century. A restoration was completed in the early 2000s, including refinishing the car in its current maroon over gray leather.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2014