1938 Aston Martin 15/98

The Aston Martin 15/98 was introduced in the mid-1930s and was named after its Royal Automobile Club's horsepower rating (15) and its brake horsepower rating (98). (This was one of the last cars to use this outdated nomenclature) By this point in history, the company had firmly established its competition pedigree and built a reputation around its engineering prowess and durability. They built high quality, hand-built, very competitive and individual sports cars for those who wished to campaign them at the multitude of racing events including hill climbs and circuit races.

The 2 Liter Astons made their debut in August of 1936 and were a substantial revision over its 1.5-liter predecessor. The four-cylinder overhead came engine grew to 1949cc and the porting was upgraded to bring the spark plugs over to the exhaust side. Girling 14-inch hydraulic brakes became standard and also added a substantial performance benefit. The early 15/98s were built by Enrico Bertelli, the brother of Aston's managing director A.C. Bertelli. Following his resignation in 1936, Aston Martin turned to other coachbuilders, including Abbey Coachworks of Willesden in London. Abbey produced their first Aston Martin for the first London Earls Court Motor Show in 1937.

The 15/98 proved to be a solid commercial success with approximately 176 examples built including 50 short chassis open cars.

by Dan Vaughan

Sports Tourer
Chassis number: E8/790/LT
Engine number: E8/790/LT

This particular example is one of only 24 of the longer chassis built, measuring 9 feet 8 inches. It has a history that dates back to day one. When new, it was delivered in black livery with a green leather interior. The first owners were G.E. Layte & Co. Ltd followed by Masons Garage of Maddox St. London W1. By the Spring of 1939, the car was in the care of Mrs. McDougall of Ashford in Kent, UK and remained in her care until the late 1950s. At that point in history, its original license plates of 'EYL 286' was change to the London number 'UGK 28'. It then moved to northern England and for a time was registered with the Sheffield number 'W 28'. In the early 1970s the registration changed to a Yorkshire number 'HWR' suffix number.

It is believed that this car arrived in the United States in the early 1980s and it would reside in a long term ownership for more than two decades. In the early 2000s, the car came into the care of its present owner.

The car has recently been treated to a comprehensive body-off, bare frame, concours restoration. The car was repainted in two tone, British Racing Green with black fenders, and the interior completely redone in matching green leather.

In 2012 the car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge Sale in Carmel, CA presented by Bonhams. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $214,000, including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Short-Chassis Open Sports
Chassis number: J8/776/LS

This Aston Martin 15/98 was delivered as a standard chassis with Bertelli saloon coachwork to A.W. Stewart-Dean, Esq., of Sudbrook Maon, Grantham, on October 21st of 1938. The second owner was I.H. Mann of Terreagles sic, Maidenhead, Berkshire, on March 6th of 1954. The next known owners were R.W. and R.J. Mills, who apparently acquired that car in the early 1980s. In their care, the car was shortened to the 'Short Chassis' configuration, and a two-seat Open Sports body built, to the original Abbey styling, and installed, apparently by R.W. Mills' own hands.

In this new configuration, the car was acquired Vincent Young, who commissioned a fresh and complete, body-off restoration. As part of the restoration, the car was converted to left-hand drive and outfitted with hydraulic brakes and a gearbox with synchromesh on second, third, and fourth gears. As part of the left-hand-drive conversion, the entire machine-turned aluminum firewall was fabricated.

It is currently in the Orin Smith collection. It was judged Best in Class at the Cavallino Classic's Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-a-Lago in 2012.

by Dan Vaughan