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1923 Aston Martin Sidevalve

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 financial backing and was an avid racer.

Between 1914 & 1925, sometimes referred to as the Lionel Martin era, they produced a total of 61 cars. Most were with the intentions of racing. Racing was expensive which ultimately led to the company entering into receivership in 1925. This would become a tradition for the Aston Martin Company who has experienced a long career in the automotive business leading into the modern era.

by Dan Vaughan

Open Wheel Racer
Chassis number: 1920

This is the twelfth Aston Martin ever built and the oldest surviving Aston Martin in the world. The car's original touring body was heavily damaged by its first owner, noted racer Captain J. C. Douglas, and was completely rebuilt at the time. It continued to appear in period races until the mid-1970s. Restored by Ecurie Bertelli, it has its original chassis number 1920, spare engine and running gear, and still retains its original UK registration.

This Aston Martin Side Valve was approximately the twentieth car produced by the Bamford & Martin Ltd Company of West Kensington, England. It is the second of an approximately 40-car production run, built through 1925. The one previous chassis of the series, chassis number 1919, has an unknown fate. Its whereabouts are not known and it is presumed to been destroyed.

Chassis 1920 left the Aston Martin factory as a four-seat tourer and was delivered with registration FY 6193 in August of 1923 to Brooklands racer J.C. Douglas. During Mr. Douglas ownership, the car was involved in an accident that caused some damage to the gearbox, front axles, engine, and frame.

By 1948, the vehicle was in the care of A.B. Demaus. By 1962, the car had gone through several owners, and was now in the ownership of Paul N. Delves-Broughton of Monmouthshire. Paul used the car extensively, and campaigned it at several AMOC club events. While in his care, the car was treated to a thorough overhaul of the chassis, and he replaced the original body with a fabric covered, three-place touring body. In 1965, this new body was replaced with a third body - a bodystyle reminiscent of the racing GP cars and the radiator shell was restyled to match the design.

In 1970, the car was sold to M.C. Collings of Cardiff, who then passed it to Johnny Thomas of Camarthen that same year. Mr. Thomas later sold it to Ken Griffin of the United States.

By 1987, the car was owned by Herr A. Rossbach in Germany. While driving the car at the Nurburgring, the engine gave out. The car would sit dormant until 2001 when it was purchased by Roger Higgins of California.

While in Mr. Higgins care, the car was treated to a professional concours restoration. A spare engine was rebuilt and installed with newly manufactured timing gears and crank.

This car has a correct pressurized fuel tank, beaded tires, wire brake cables, period-style bodywork bracing and finish, copper bezels on the instruments, and wooden bushings on the chassis.

In 2010, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach Auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $175,000 - $225,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $192,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.