1949 Aston Martin DB2 Prototype Coupe

One of the most famous Aston Martins still in existence today, this was the first Aston to be fitted with the now legendary 2.6-liter straight six-engine, when it ran at LeMans in 1949. Aston Martin entered a total of three cars in the race, but the other two cars had the 2-liter engine from the DB1. This car retired at LeMans after only one hour due to a faulty water pump but went on to place third overall at Spa that same year, and it later set speed records at Montlhery.

David Brown purchased Aston Martin and Lagonda shortly after World War II and a Lagonda 6-cylinder engine was installed in this new DB2 chassis. This was the first Aston to be fitted with the now legendary 2.6-liter straight six-engine when it ran at LeMans in 1949 with Leslie Johnson and Charles Brackenberry driving. Built on a shortened DB1 chassis, with bodywork by Frank Feeley, this car marked the beginning of the fastback designs that continued right through to the end of the DB6 and early DBS.

This car became the works development car until it returned to action again in the 1950s at Le Mans, driven by Eric Thompson and John Gordon.

In 1990, the car was restored and in 2004, it returned to the track and has been campaigned across America and in the Monaco Historique.