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1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 background image

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark II Drophead Coupe

  • Coachwork by Bertone
  • Chassis Number: LML/504
  • Engine Number: VB6E/50/1230
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Navigation
After serving time at the Federal Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, Charles A. Ward found employment at the Brown & Bigelow Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. When the company's founder drowned in a fishing accident in 1933, Ward was elected to take over the firm. Under his guidance, the company continued to prosper and flourish.

In 1953, the 60 regional sales managers of the Brown & Bigelow Company pooled their resources and purchased Mr. Ward a special automobile for Christmas. They ordered the car through Chicago importer and Bertone board member S.H. Arnolt, one of the two Bertone-bodied DB2/4 drophead coupes produced. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti, these unique automobiles wore a distinctive radiator grille, a curved windshield, a subtle hood scoop, and thin bumpers.

Per the sales manager's request, the Bertone-built Aston Martin for Mr. Ward had a monogrammed CAW hood button, a two-piece fitted luggage set, a custom picnic hamper, a single rear seat, and a set of chrome-plated tools in a varnished wooden box. The luggage set was monogrammed and stocked with china and picnic accessories. A large commemorative brass plaque under the hood was engraved with the names of all 60 sales managers. The plaque on the dashboard stated, 'This motor car was specially designed and created for Charles A. Ward by S.H. Arnolt, Chicago and Carrozzeria Bertone, Torino, Italy.

This Aston Martin remained with Mr. Ward until his passing in 1959. Reportedly, he had offered it for sale shortly prior, at $5,500, but found no takers.

After his passing, the car was sold by his estate back to S.H. Arnolt, who resold it to another St. Paul businessman, William Peters, Sr., of Peters Meat Products, for $2,000. At the time, the car had a non-functioning engine. Mr. Peters had the engine removed and replaced by a Shelby Cobra engine, after which he drove it from St. Paul to Tampa, Florida, to begin his retirement. Rather than discard the blown DB2/4 engine, he had Mark Doins repair it with new sleeves and a complete rebuild.

Virgil Campbell of Nebraska paid Mr. Peters $250 to bring the car to Omaha in 1975, saying that if he liked the car, he would pay for Mr. Peters's return flight. After approving of the car and purchasing the return ticket, Mr. Campbell began a restoration, refinishing it in all-over red, including the paint, carpeting, and seats, which were upholstered in red Bridge of Weir leather cut to the original patterns. The original fabric top (matte material) was replaced with a Haartz cloth top in the correct pattern. The original engine, now rebuilt, was reinstalled.

Tom and Ellin Dunsworth acquired the DB2/4 from Mr. Campbell in 1983 and eventually completed the restoration, changing the car back to the original blue livery while preserving its correct trim and tools. Upon competition, the DB2/4 won 3rd in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1987.

The Aston Martin was later sold to James Vandergrift, who in 1997 returned it to Pebble Beach and again finished 3rd in Class. Gene Ponder became the car's next owner, and under his care, the car was refinished in bright red livery. In 2006, the car was sold to Michael Schudroff, who displayed it for the third time at Pebble Beach, his time as part of the Aston Martin feature, finishing 2nd in Class.

The car's next owner was Paul and Chris Andrews, and it resided in their Texas collection until the dispersal in 2015. It returned to auction in 20024 and found new ownership.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2024

2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,300,000-USD $1,600,000 
Sale Price :
USD $967,500

2015 RM Sotheby's : The Andrews Collection

Sale Price :
USD $1,320,000

2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company

Sale Price :
USD $1,650,000

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Aston Martin DB2/4

(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe by Bertone
Chassis#: LML/504
Sold for USD$967,500
  2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 image  1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 image  
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe
Chassis#: LML/761
Sold for USD$671,000
  2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 image  1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 image  
1953 ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 MARK I DROPHEAD COUPÉ
Chassis#: LML 558
Sold for USD$479,661
  2016 Bonhams : The Aston Martin Works Sale
 
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe by Bertone
Chassis#: LML/504
Sold for USD$1,320,000
  2015 RM Sotheby's : The Andrews Collection
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 image  1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 image  
1953 ASTON MARTIN DB 2/4 'NOTCHBACK'
Chassis#: LML/515
Sold for USD$442,967
  2014 THE ASTON MARTIN WORKS SALE
 
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1 Saloon
Chassis#: LML/538
Sold for USD$135,248
  2012 Bonhams - The Aston Martin Works Service Sale
 
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4
Chassis#: LML 552
Sold for USD$203,500
  2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 image  1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 image  
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drop Head Coupe
Chassis#: LML/504
Sold for USD$1,650,000
  2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 image  1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 image  
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe
Chassis#: LML 558
Sold for USD$293,669
  2008 Bonhams - Aston Martin and related Automobilia
 
1953 Aston-Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe
Chassis#: R22803045
Sold for USD$847,000
  2007 RM Auctions The Ponder Collection
 
1953 Aston Martin DB 2/4 Convertible
Chassis#: LML/50/244
Sold for USD$83,622
  2005 Coys Auction - The Summer Sale
 

Aston Martin DB2/4s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Sports SaloonLML/5392020 Bonhams : Goodwood Speedweek $180,000$220,000
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Vantage SaloonLML/5522017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach $300,000$350,000
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 2 DR HT 2002 Michigan Fall Classic Car Auction The Kughn Collection$32,500  

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1953 Aston Martin DB2/4

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
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Other Aston Martin DB2/4 model years

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Vehicle Profiles

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 vehicle information
Mark II Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: Bertone
Chassis #: LML/504
Engine #: VB6E/50/1230
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 vehicle information
Coupe
Coachwork: Allemano
Designer: Savonuzzi
Chassis #: LML/761
Engine #: VB6J/197/L1
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 vehicle information
Roadster
Coachwork: Bertone
Designer: Franco Scaglione
Chassis #: LML/502
Engine #: VB8 J/83

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.