1953 Aston Martin DB2/4

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4

Aston Martin introduced its '2+2' DB2/4 in October 1953, building upon the success and appeal of its predecessor - the DB2 - by liberating additional space to accommodate two child-sized occasional rear seats.

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 photo
Coupe by Allemano
Chassis #: LML/761
Engine #: VB6J/197/L1
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
Emerging from World War II, Aston Martin soon came under the control of David Brown in 1947, who quickly steered the company towards the production of expensive, exclusive, grand touring cars. The first model under Mr. Brown's tutelage was the 2-Litre Sports (sometimes referred to as the 'DB1') that was produced from 1948 to 1950. A mere 15 examples were built, but it helped establish a path that forthcoming models would follow.

The 2-Liter Sports was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine developed by Claude Hill, installed in a tube-frame chassis, and most were clothed with open roadster coachwork. The DB2 that followed in 1950 came equipped with a W.O. Bentley-designed Lagonda straight-6 engine, and 411 examples were produced through 1953. Initially, the DB2 wore closed, 2-seater coupes which Aton Martin described as a 'sports saloon.' Drophead coupe body styles were later added, accounting for approximately a quarter of the model's total sales.

DB2 Mechanical Specification
The engine straight six-cylinder engine for the DB2 had a 3.07-inch (78 mm) bore, a 3.543-inch (90 mm) stroke, and a displacement size of 2.6 liters. Its development occurred before WWII, under the supervision of W.O. Bentley, with development primarily by William (Willie) Watson. With a pair of SU carburetors, the 2.6-liter unit produced approximately 105 horsepower. The shortened frame designed by Claude Hill had a wheelbase size of 99 inches, a length of 162.5 inches, and stood 53.5 inches tall. The fastback coupe bodywork was designed by Frank Feeley and had a seating capacity for two.

Motorsports
Aston Martin entered three pre-production cars for the 1949 24 Hours of LeMans. Two of the cars were equipped with the tried-and-true four-cylinder Aston Martin 2-litre engine, with the third car equipped with the Lagonda straight-6. The latter was driven by Leslie Johnson, who was forced to retire early due to overheating caused by the failure of the water pump. One of the 2-liter cars crashed two hours short of the finish after losing its brakes. The third Aston Martin finished the race in a respectable 7th place. The following month, at the Spa 24-hour race, Leslie Johnson and Charles Brackenbury drove the straight-6 engine car to 3rd place, and Nick Haines and Lance Macklin drove one of the 2-liter cars to 5th.

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 photo
Mark II DropHead Coupe
Chassis #: LML/552
Engine #: VB6E/50/1284
View info and history
Auction entries : 2
Aston Martin returned to Le Mans in 1950 with three cars powered by the Lagonda engine. The car driven by George Abecassis and Lance Macklin finished 5th, and Brackenbury and Reg Parnell placed 6th, earning Aston Martin 1st and 2nd in the 3-liter class.

Briggs Cunningham drove a DB2 at the inaugural Sebring race meeting in December 1950, finishing 2nd in its class.

At the 1951 Le Mans, Macklin and Eric Thompson placed 3rd overall, and Abecassis and Brian Shawe-Taylor finished 5th.

The Aston Martin DB2/4
A Grand Tourer with Le Mans Racing lineage and plenty of cargo capacity.

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 photo
Roadster by Bertone
Chassis #: LML/502
Engine #: VB8 J/83
View info and history
The DB2/4 retained the 99-inch wheelbase size of its predecessor but added seven inches to its length, now measuring 169.5 inches. The fuel tank capacity was reduced from 19 to 17 gallons, liberating even more space for occasional rear seats. Additionally, the rear seat backs could be folded down, creating a load-carrying platform that could be used to house even more luggage. This area could be accessed via the 2/4's opening rear door. The roofline was raised, larger bumpers installed, and a one-piece windscreen helped differentiate the newcomer from its predecessor.

Along with the 2+2 hatchback saloon coachwork, the DB2/4 was available as a drophead coupe (DHC) and 2-seat fixed-head coupe. A few examples received spider coachwork by Bertone, built to private commission.

Much of the mechanical componentry remained the same as the DB2, including the rectangular-tube chassis, trailing arm independent front suspension and live rear axle.

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 photo
Roadster by Bertone
Chassis #: LML/502
Engine #: VB8 J/83
View info and history
Engine
The 2.6-litre (157 cubic-inch / 2,580cc) 'VB6E' Lagonda inline six-cylinder engine initially delivered 125 horsepower (Vantage specification). In September 1953, displacement rose to 2.9 liters (178 CID / 2,922 cc) (VB6J engine) which boosted output to 140 hp at 5,000 RPM. The British magazine The Motor tested a 2.9-liter DB2/4 in 1954 and found it to have the ability to sprint from zero to sixty mph in 10.5 seconds, with top speed achieved a 118.5 mph. 100 mph was achievable in third gear.

Production
The total DB2/4 production, lasting from October 1953 to 1957, reached 764 units. The Mark I was produced through October 1955 with 565 examples built. The majority were 2+2 hatchbacks with a design penned by John Turner. A drophead coupe joined the lineup in April of 1954, and 102 of the Mark I variants were built. Additionally, around four or five Mark I examples wore Spider coachwork by Bertone.

The Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark II
The lion's share of the Mark II production continued to be the 2+2 hatchback, accounting for approximately 146 of the 199 examples built. Thirty-four examples received fixed-head coupe bodies (a new body style), sixteen were drophead coupes, and three were Spiders by Carrozzeria Touring. During the production of the Mark II, coachbuilding responsibilities were relocated from Mulliner's of Feltham to Tickford's works in Newport Pagnell (David Brown acquired Tickford in 1954, and all of Aston Martin's operations would move to Tickford with the start of DB4 production).

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 photo
Roadster by Bertone
Chassis #: LML/502
Engine #: VB8 J/83
View info and history
Introduced in 1955, the Mark II arrived with small tailfins, tail lights sourced from the Morris minor, additional chrome, and an optional updated engine. The latter had a higher compression ratio of 8.6:1 and large valves, bringing output to 165 horsepower.

The Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark III (a.k.a. DB Mark III)
Production of the DB2/4 Mark III began in 1957 and continued through 1959. The new Bert Thickpenny-designed front grille bestowed upon the Mark III would become a hallmark of the Aston Martin marque, defining the familiar shape that would be used by many of its models in the future. The worm-and-sector steering was a carryover from the Mark II, as was the live rear axle and DBA engine with twin SU carburetors. An optional dual-exhaust system boosted output from the standard 162 hp to 178 hp. The Girling disc brakes were also optional (front Girling disc brakes became standard after the first 100 Mark III were built), along with the Laycock-de Normanville overdrive that was attached to the standard four-speed gearbox. An automatic transmission became available after the first 100 cars were built.

The Mark III had a new instrument panel, and the rear lights were from the Humber Hawk. The engine could be fitted with three SU 1.75-inch carburetors and dual exhaust, boosting output to 180 hp. The high-output DBB engine had three twin-choke Weber 35 DCO 3 carburetors, high compression 8.6:1 pistons, long-duration camshafts, and a dual-exhaust system. In this configuration, output was rated at nearly 200 bhp. At least one car received a special DBC competition engine which had around 215 horsepower.

1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 photo
Coupe by Allemano
Chassis #: LML/761
Engine #: VB6J/197/L1
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
A total of 551 examples of the DB Mark III were built, including 462 hatchbacks, 84 drophead coupes, and five fixed-head coupes.


by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2024

Related Reading : Aston Martin DB2 History

The Aston Martin DB2 was introduced to the public at the New York Motor Show. This was not the vehicles first appearance as it had been raced at the grueling 24 Hours of LeMans where one of the drivers, Pierre Marechal, had been involved in a fatal accident. The DB2 was designed by Frank Freeley and configured as a two-seater touring vehicle. It was Aston Martins first real production vehicle. The....
Continue Reading >>

Related Reading : Aston Martin DB2 History

The first Aston Martin was built in 1913 by London Singer dealers Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin. It was comprised of a Coventry Simplex engine and an Isotta Fraschini chassis. They were later joined by Count Louis Zborowski, who provided finical backing and was an avid racer. Under the patronage of Augustus Bertelli, the legacy of Aston Martin continued to grow in motorsports throughout the years.....
Continue Reading >>

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

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$1,260-$6,000
1953 DB2/4
$6,300-$12,680
1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Price Range: $6,000 - $6,300

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1953 Aston Martin Models
$5,850 - $6,150

DB2/4

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
99.25 in.
6 cyl., 157.00 CID., 105.00hp
$6,000 - $6,300
99.00 in.
6 cyl., 178.31 CID., 140.00hp
$5,950 - $5,950
99.00 in.
6 cyl., 157.44 CID., 140.00hp
$6,000 - $6,300
99.00 in.
6 cyl., 157.44 CID., 140.00hp
$6,000 - $6,300

Related Automotive News

Lamborghini 350 GT returns to Geneva 60 years after its debut

Lamborghini 350 GT returns to Geneva 60 years after its debut

Automobili Lamborghini celebrates its first production model by taking it back to the city where it was unveiled in 1964 by Ferruccio Lamborghini In March 1964, Automobili Lamborghini was still in its infancy. Established just a few months previously,...
Phenomenal Ferraris and Italian Thoroughbreds Offered at Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

Phenomenal Ferraris and Italian Thoroughbreds Offered at Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

The auction house announced a stable of Italian star cars, including a 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Berlinetta Le Mans, a 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I Coupe Aerodinamico, and a 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series I Spider. A stunning group of star...
The Best Of Lamborghini At London Concours 2020

The Best Of Lamborghini At London Concours 2020

The London Concours has announced its Great Marques Lamborghini display, celebrating the very best from SantAgata Line-up includes icons early pioneers like the 400GT and iconic Miura, through to the Diablo SV, Murcielago and Aventador SVJ Les...
Third Annual Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award

Third Annual Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award

EIGHT DISTINGUISHED AUTOMOBILES NAMED AS NOMINEES FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL PENINSULA CLASSICS BEST OF THE BEST AWARD IN ITS UNPRECEDENTED MOVE TO PARIS Winner of the most prestigious international motoring award to be announced during the world-r...
Alpine Passion Through The Years At Retromobile

Alpine Passion Through The Years At Retromobile

Retromobile set to play host to six classic Alpine models The Alpine Vision show car will also be on display as a symbolic bridge between the brands past and future Groupe Renault is pleased to confirm Alpines participation in the 42nd Retromobi...

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