1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe

Aston Martin built 562 examples of the DB2/4 between 1953 and 1955. This particular example was built in Torino, and designed by Giovanni Savonuzzi. It is the only Allemano-bodied Coupe. Savonuzzi's resume included the Cisitalia Spider Nuvolari and 202 Aerodynamica of 1948. After a short stay at Allemano, he joined Ghia and created the 'Supersonic' bodies fitted to Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, and Fiat chassis.

Just 12 examples of the DB2/4 were bodied in Italy. The list included six Coupes and three Spiders by Bertone, two Coupes by Vignale, and the Allemano Coupe.

J. O'Hana of Casablanca, Morocco purchased a chassis from Aston Martin owner David Brown. The chassis was shipped to Serafino Allemano in Torino, clothed in an aluminum body, and then delivered to Morocco for Mr. O'Hana. Unsatisfied with the vehicle's performance, Mr. Brown's mechanics upgraded the Coupe with three Weber side-draft carburetors, bringing horsepower to 180 bhp. The suspension and brakes were also improved.

After Mr. O'Hana was involved in an accident with the car, his employees persuaded him to let them rebuild the car, adding bumpers and a back seat. After the work was completed, it was driven until the late 1970s, when it was acquired by American Alan Lampert. Mr. Lampert commissioned a ground-up restoration before selling the car to his restorer, Brian Hoyt of Perfect Reflections of Hayward, California. Mr. Hoyt completed the restoration, then put it on display at the 1994 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where the British car won the Italian Coachwork Class.

This Aston Martin has a four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, tools, jacks, spare wheel, and chrome wire wheels by Borrani.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2018