1957 Aston Martin DB 2/4 MKIII DropHead Coupe

The Aston Martin DB2/4 MK II was introduced at the 1955 London Motor Show. It was the latest development of David Brown's grand touring car. It was visually differentiated from its immediate predecessor by its chrome brightwork, separate bucket seats, bubble taillights, simplified bonnet arrangement, and subtle tailfins. Power was from a 2.9-liter VB6J engine that offered 140 horsepower and carried the car to 120 mph top speed. Body styles included a Saloon, Fixed Head Coupe, and a Drophead Coupe - the first open Aston Martin with Tickford coachwork, constructed at the Newport Pagnell factory. The Drophead Coupe was a two-seater grand touring car with ample luggage space for continental touring.

The DB2/4 MK II was produced from October of 1955 to August of 1957, remaining in production for six months after the new DB Mk III had been introduced. During its production lifespan, just 199 examples were built, with just 16 being Drophead Coupes, the most expensive of the three body styles offered by Tickford.

This particular example was originally finished in Imperial Crimson with black Connolly leather upholstery and a black Everflex top. It was given a 3.77:1 rear axle ratio, instruments in kilometers, and the optional VB6L/1 cylinder head, which featured high-lift camshafts and larger valves.

The car was completed in December of 1956 and was shipped to Aston Martin distributor Majestic Automobiles, who then delivered the car to its first owner, Maison L. Kitmacher of Paris, in March 1957. In the late 1980s, it was exported to the United States.

Currently, this car is finished in black livery with black upholstery and tan carpeting. It has its original matching-numbers engine. There is a leather-bound owner's handbook, service manual, tool kit, and a copy of the factory build record.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2016