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1957 Aston Martin DB 2/4 MKIII

FastBack Coupe by Tickford
Chassis number: AM/300/3/1380
Engine number: DBA 998

Sir David Brown purchased Aston Martin and Lagonda just after World War II came to a close. He used the W.O. Bentley-designed Lagonda engine as a starting point for the post-war Aston Martin cars. Production began with the DB2 and evolved into the DB MKIII. Subsequent cars used a different larger aluminum engine. The factory was based in Feltham with the body building being done by Tickford of Newport Pagnell.

The DB MKIII was the last and most refined of the series. It is one of the first production cars to use the hatchback design with fold down rear seats. A redesign of the engine by Tadak Marek brought the output of the 2.9 liter engine to 178 bhp.

551 DB MKIIIs were produced from 1957 through 1959. These cars were the first Aston Martin production cars to use the now iconic grille. The basic shape, borrowed from the racecar, is still used on Astons produced today. It is one of the first production cars that featured the now commonplace hatchback design, as well as fold down seats.

The Lagonda engine was redesigned for the DB MKIII with a new cast iron block using top seating liners, raising the displacement to 2922cc, and the horsepower to 162 (178 with twin exhaust).

This example is the 18th DB MKIII produced. It has smaller taillights than the later cars. The current owner purchased the car in 2005. Due to previous aborted restoration, many parts were missing, including most of the interior. After 5 years the restoration was completed and the car was first driven from Chicago to Elkhart Lake WI without a single problem.

FastBack Coupe by Tickford
Chassis number: AM/300/3/1478
Engine number: DBA 1086

Aston Martin was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. The two had joined forces as Bamford & Martin the previous year to sell cars made by Singer from premises in Callow Street, London. Martin raced specials at Aston Hill near Aston Clinton. The first car to be named Aston Martin was created by Martin by fitting a four-cylinder Coventry-Simplex engine to the chassis of a 1908 Isotta Fraschini.

The DB name came from Sir David Brown who purchased the Company in 1947 after numerous bankruptcies. David Brown also acquired Lagonda that year, and both companies shared resources and workshops. In 1955, David Brown bought the Tickford coachbuilding company in Newport Pagnell, and that was the beginning of the classic series of cars bearing the initials 'DB'.

The DB2 was the company's first post-war road car. In 1957, Aston Martin introduced the final derivation of the DB2 series, the DB MK III. The Mark III was the ultimate evolution of the line, its most obvious visual cue being the grille design that echoed the DB3S race car and is still being used on Aston Martin models today. It would continue production until 1959 and amass a production total of 551 units. It was offered in Saloon or Convertible body styles and consisted of 4 seats. The base engine produced 162 horsepower, propelling the vehicle to a top speed of 120 mph.

Brown ultimately purchased Aston Martin (1947), Lagonda (1948), and Tickford (1955). Manufacturing was consolidated at the Tickford factory in Newport Pagnell. In 1953, the DB2/4 MKI emerged. The series featured a 2+2 saloon or drophead style. The design went through minor changes, the most notable being at the front of the car.

This Mark III is powered by a 2922cc 6-cylinder twin SU carburetor engine and is the dual exhaust version producing 178 hp. It was restored in 1998.

FastBack Coupe by Tickford
Chassis number: AM300/3/1390

The Aston Martin DB2 was introduced in May of 1950. The DB Mark III (the '2/4' designation was eventually dropped) was introduced in March of 1957 and produced through July of 1959 in both drophead coup and fixed form.

The DB Mark III had disc brakes in the front and supplemented Alfin drums in the rear (this upgrade was optional on the first 100 Mark IIIs). The six-cylinder engine was thoroughly revised by engineer Tadek Marek and the styling and body fittings were also updated.

This DB2/4 Mark III is finished in its original livery of Peony Red with a beige Connolly leather interior. It has a six-cylinder engine delivering 162 horsepower and there is a four-speed manual transmission. At all four corners were drum brakes.

Production of this DB2/4 was completed on December 6th of 1957 and was then shipped to authorized sales agent, Peter Satori of Pasadena, California where it was sold to Mr. Rhodes. It remained in Southern California and changed hands a few times, known through 1968. The ownership history fades for several years, picked up again with its most recent, long-time care taker, Mr. Leonhardt of Los Angeles who acquired it in 1976. Between 1976 and 2011, the car was driven less than 10,000 miles.

In the summer of 2011, the car was sold to its next owner. In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the RM Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $195,000-$235,000. Bidding reached $150,000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

FastBack Coupe by Tickford
Chassis number: AM/300/3/1345
Engine number: DBA/1004

In October of 1953, Aston Martin introduced the 2+2 DB2/4. After extensive revisions to the car's rear end arrangements, there was room for two occasion seats and more luggage. Two years after the introduction of the mildly restyled DB2/4 MKII came the DB MKIII - the '2/4' suffix was no longer used.

Between March 1957 and July of 1959, Aston Martin produced 551 saloons, with about 55% of those being exported.

The DB MKIII used a DB3S-style grille which had been designed by Tickford designer Bert Thickpenny. The interior had a redesigned dashboard with instruments groups in a cowled panel ahead of the driver.

Tadek Marek, who had just arrived from Austin, redesigned the 3.0 liter engine. Modifications included a stiffer block, stronger camshaft and a new cylinder head with bigger valves. With the single pipe exhaust system, the engine offered 162 horsepower. With the optional twin-pipe version, power rose to 178bhp. Other improvements were made to the clutch and gearbox. Laycock overdrive became available and front disc brakes became standard rather than optional after the first 100 cars had been built. Even though the car had gained extra weight, the MKIII was faster than any of its predecessors.

Chassis no. AM/300/3/1345

This Aston Martin came equipped from the factory with 2 Rumbold Safety Belts, Twin Exhaust system, a Smiths Oil Temperature gauge, and disc brakes. The original owner was Captain Jerome J. Sauber who took delivery in September of 1957. It was finished in Broken White paintwork with a red Connolly leather interior.

By the 1970s, the car had entered the car of Irv Bahrt of New Jersey. By 2000, the car was in California and in the care of Dr. Robert Elliot of San Juan Capistrano. In 2004, it was sold to a Virginia resident before coming into the care of its present owner.

Currently, the car is finished in British Racing Green with an interior to match. The car has been given triple Weber carburetors and a modern Tremec 5 speed gearbox.

by Dan Vaughan

FastBack Coupe by Tickford
Chassis number: AM300/3/1363
Engine number: DBA/981

This Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III by Tickford was delivered new to Dr. Robert Pye, of Woodland, California, on November 28, 1958. It is an early example that had been uprated in period for competition use, and its racing history is highlighted by the 16 period participant dash plaques still affixed to the engine compartment bulkhead. Those period races include Laguna Seca in 1958, Pomona Sports Car Races, Cotati, and numerous others.

The car was later put into storage until late 1987, when it passed into the care of its second documented owner, Steve Warren, who was a resident of North Hollywood, California. It remained in California until 1994, when it was acquired by Robert Daly, of Massachusetts, who commissioned its renovation. Prior to the restoration being completed, Mr. Daly fell ill and decided to sell the car. At the time, the car had undergone some mechanical upgrades and a chassis and cosmetic restoration had been completed.

Early in the car's life, the cylinder head, manifolds, and SU carburetors were replaced by a factory competition head, intake and exhaust manifolds, and triple Weber 40 DCOE side-draft racing carburetors, which were believed to be from DB3S/112. In the front are Girling disc brakes that had become standard during the MK III's production run. A pair of driving lights have been neatly mounted within the grille.

The car's fourth owner was Jean-Francois Wulpillier of Reichenburg, Switzerland who brought the car back to Europe in 2003. The car was given a restoration over the winter of 2004 and 2005, and at the time had 62,500 miles on the odometer. When the work was completed, it was entered in more than 40 classic car rallies. In 2013, the car came into the possession of its fifth owner, who was also a Swiss resident. As of January 2015, its recorded mileage under his tenure was 78,500 miles.

by Dan Vaughan

DropHead Coupe
Chassis number: AM.300/1265
Engine number: VB6J/890/1

The Aston Martin DB2/4 MK II was introduced at the 1955 London Motor Show. It was the latest development of David Brown's grand touring car. It was visually differentiated from its immediate predecessor by its chrome brightwork, separate bucket seats, bubble taillights, simplified bonnet arrangement, and subtle tailfins. Power was from a 2.9-liter VB6J engine that offered 140 horsepower and carried the car to 120 mph top speed. Body styles included a Saloon, Fixed Head Coupe, and a Drophead Coupe - the first open Aston Martin with Tickford coachwork, constructed at the Newport Pagnell factory. The Drophead Coupe was a two-seater grand touring car with ample luggage space for continental touring.

The DB2/4 MK II was produced from October of 1955 to August of 1957, remaining in production for six months after the new DB Mk III had been introduced. During its production lifespan, just 199 examples were built, with just 16 being Drophead Coupes, the most expensive of the three body styles offered by Tickford.

This particular example was originally finished in Imperial Crimson with black Connolly leather upholstery and a black Everflex top. It was given a 3.77:1 rear axle ratio, instruments in kilometers, and the optional VB6L/1 cylinder head, which featured high-lift camshafts and larger valves.

The car was completed in December of 1956 and was shipped to Aston Martin distributor Majestic Automobiles, who then delivered the car to its first owner, Maison L. Kitmacher of Paris, in March 1957. In the late 1980s, it was exported to the United States.

Currently, this car is finished in black livery with black upholstery and tan carpeting. It has its original matching-numbers engine. There is a leather-bound owner's handbook, service manual, tool kit, and a copy of the factory build record.

by Dan Vaughan

Aston Martin had introduced the DB2 in 1950 and was the first in the line of DB Grand Tourers that would follow over the years. David Brown had acquired Aston Martin in 1948, along with Lagonda for its straight-six W.O. Bentley designed engine. A DB2 prototype, wearing a Frank Feeley-designed sports saloon coachwork with seating for two, achieved a third-place finish in 1949's Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours.

The DB2 was considerably different from any previous Aston Martins with its curvaceous and modern lines, and the whole front of which hinged forward.

The cruciform structure was replaced by Claude Hill's cross-member, reducing ground clearance and weight while increasing torsional rigidity. In the front was an independent suspension setup with coil springs and transverse torsion bars. The in the back was a coil-sprung live axle, located by parallel arms and Panhard rod, incorporated additional strengthening. The drum brakes were hydraulically powered, the engine produced just over 100 horsepower, and it was backed by a four-speed David Brown gearbox. The optional Vantage engine boosted output to 125 bhp.

The DB2 lacked space, offering seating for two with minimal luggage area. Frank Freeley redesigned car's rear to accommodate an occasional double bench which folded down to increasing luggage capacity. The overall length of the vehicle grew by six inches. The bumpers became more substantial and incorporated overriders. The roofline was raised slightly to increase the headroom, and a larger rear window installed. The windscreen was a single - rather than two-piece - molding. The quarterlight windows were reshaped and the headlights were repositioned higher in the bonnet. The result of all these changes brought forth the DB2/4 in 1953.

The Mark II followed in October 1955 with subtle styling changes. It now had squared-off and raised rear wing ends with the sidelights now mounted on their top rear edge. A chromium-plated front wing strip was used to conceal the line of the one-piece hood which had been relocated to the top of the wheel arches. A similar strip was placed across the windscreen top offering nearly an inch in height and headroom.

With Aston Martin's recent acquisition of Tickford coachbuilder in Newport Pagnell, the Mark II body production was moved 'in-house.' Previously DB2/4 bodies having been made by Mulliner. Like its predecessors, the DB2/4 Mark II was available with Saloon and Drop-head Coupe bodies. Another MKII addition was the 165 horsepower Special Series optional engine.

Aston Martin produced the Mark III for just a shade over two years and actually overlapped the DB4 by seven months. Production of all variants during this time was 551 cars. The standard 3 liter (2922cc, twin SU carburetors) engine fitted to the Mark III was designated as the DBA version and produced 162 bhp @5500 rpm. The three-liter DBA engine was the ultimate Tadek Marek development of the original W.O. Bentley design and had a stronger camshaft, a stiffer block, and bigger valves.

The DB2/4 Mark III was the first Aston Martin to feature the trademark grille and the shape was mirrored in the dashboard for the first time, as the instruments were moved directly in front of the driver. Updated styling was inspired by the DB3S racing car. It was also the first to be offered with disc brakes, albeit on the front corners alone.

by Dan Vaughan

FastBack Coupe by Tickford
Chassis number: AM300/1293
Engine number: VB6J/918

This Aston Martin DB2/4 is a MK II and was shipped to Cyril Williams Motors Limited in Staffordshire, England, on July 26th of 1957. It was finished in black over black leather, and is believed to have remained in England for some time. By 1955 it was owned by Malcolm Buckeridge of Pasadena, California. In 2008, the DB2/4 was discovered in the California desert by Done Rose. An advertisement by Buckeridge, dated May of 2008, stated that a restoration had been started but was selling, as he was unable to complete the bodywork. Don Rose was able to acquire the car, albeit stripped of paint, and had it sent to Aston martin restorers Kevin Kay—with explicit instruction to touch none of the patina.

A comprehensive mechanical restoration soon followed. Don rallied the DB2/4 for several years. While resting in a storage facility - along with over 30 other collector cars - the roof collapsed due to snow and ice. RM Auto Restoration stepped in to restore the vehicle, once again preserving the patina as possible.

The current owner saw the DB2/4 Mk II parked under a tree at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este after it had just completed the 2013 Mille Miglia. A deal was soon struck, and the DB2/4 was shipped back to the United States.

by Dan Vaughan

The DB name came from the name David Brown (later Sir David Brown), an individual who had purchased the Aston Martin Company.

The DB series was built from 1950 through 1953 with only 411 examples being produced. Power was supplied by a W.O. Bentely-designed Lagonda six-cylinder engine that was capable of producing 116 bhp and could propel the car to a top speed of 117 mph. The zero-to-sixty time was around 11.2 seconds. The Vantage series received 125 bhp.

The two-seater DB2's were available in two body styles, the coupe and drophead.

In 1953, the DB2/4 MK1 became available. This series featured a four seater, 2+2, saloon or drophead body style. The design went through minor changes with the most notable changes appearing in the front of the vehicle. The early versions of the vehicle featured a hatchback rear window.

The DB2/4 MK1's were originally powered by a 2.6-liter Vantage engine but were later replaced with a 3-liter, 140 bhp engine that was not only more powerful, it was heavier.

The MK1 series ended in 1955 with 565 examples being produced, 73 being dropheads.

The DB2/4 MK2 series began in 1995 and would continue until 1957. During this time frame, 199 examples were produced. There were two body styles available; a coupe and a convertible. Both had two doors and four seats. A hardtop style saloon was also available although less than 35 were produced.

Most MK2's were mechanically similar to the MK1's, however, later versions received engine modifications that included larger valves and different camshafts. The horsepower output was increased to 165.

In 1957, Aston Martin introduced the final derivation of the DB2 series, the DB MK III. It would continue production until 1959 and amass a production total of 551 units. It was offered in Saloon or Convertible body styles and consisted of 4 seats. The base engine produced 162 horsepower, propelling the vehicle to a top speed of 120 mph.

by Dan Vaughan

The Aston Martin DB2 was introduced to the public at the New York Motor Show. This was not the vehicle's 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 Martin's first real production vehicle. The name was derived from the initials of the company's founder, David Brown. The production designs were very similar to the vehicles raced at LeMans, offering LeMans performance and touring comfort. Power was supplied by a twin-cam, W.O. Bentley-designed Lagonda six-cylinder engine capable of producing 115 horsepower. With the 'Vantage' option that became available in 1951, the output increased to 125 horsepower, thanks in part to SU HV6 carburetors and high-compression pistons.

During the DB2's lifespan lasting from 1950 through 1953, 411 examples were produced.

In 1953 Aston Martin introduced the DB2/4 MK1. This version was available in 2+2 Saloon Coupe configuration or as a Drophead Coupe. The Saloon version featured a hatchback rear window, an uncommon design at the time. There were only 73 Dropheads created.

The DB2/4 had been modified both mechanically and aesthetically from its predecessor. The front received updates that gave it a 'cleaner' design. The 2.6 Liter Vantage engine was placed under the hood and provided power for the rear wheels. Due to the extra weight of the DB2/4 MK1, a more powerful 3.0-liter engine capable of producing 140 horsepower was used in 1954.

During the DB2/4 MK1 lifespan lasting from 1953 through 1955, 565 examples were produced.

In 1955 Aston Martin introduced the successor to the MK1, the MK2. There was little to distinguish the MK2. It had the same mechanics as its predecessor and only minor exterior modifications. The main differences were a square rear wing and the addition of the notchback-hardtop that was added to the body-style configurations. There were only thirty of these created. Nearing the end of the MK2, the power was increased to 165 horsepower from the six-cylinder engine.

During the DB2/4 MK2 lifespan lasting from 1955 through 1957, 199 examples were created.

In 1957 Aston Martin introduced the MK III. It was available as a coupe or convertible, both were two-door and capable of seating four individuals. This was the final installment of the DB2 family. It received several mechanical updates including Girling disc brakes, hydraulic clutch, automatic, and overdrive transmission options. This marked the first time that Aston Martin offered disc brakes as standard equipment on a vehicle. Al-Fin drum brakes were used in the rear. Aesthetically, it was similar to its predecessors but had received modifications to the front, including the DB3S grille. The modifications were enough to make the MKIII the most beautiful of all the DB2 models.

The zero-to-sixty time was now rated at 9.3 seconds with the top speed at 120 miles per hour. In standard form with the optional dual exhausts, horsepower was raised to 178 horsepower. By adding Webers, high-compression pistons, and an oil cooler, the horsepower rating skyrocketed to an astonishing 220. These improvements were courtesy of the knowledge Aston Martin had ascertained on the racing track.

During the DB MK III lifespan lasting from 1957 through 1959, 551 examples were produced.

by Dan Vaughan

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. Motorsports were expensive, and by 1925 the company had entered into receivership, a trend common to the company throughout its lifetime.

In 1926 the Aston Martin Motors Ltd. was incorporated with A.C. (Bert) Bertelli as one of the new directors. With the help of Bertelli, the company weathered the run years and the various financial backers. To many, Bertelli is the father of Aston Martin and some of the greatest pre-War era cars were created under his guidance. Their Ulster and 1.5-liter cars enjoyed much success including at the 24 Hours of LeMans.

A.C. Bertelli left Aston Martin in 1937, soon after the arrival of the new 2-liter car. This car was a shift in the way the company did business, as it was less sporty and marketed more towards civilized driving. In 1939 the company introduced a prototype designed by Claude Hill dubbed the Atom. It was comprised of a steel spaceframe chassis and given a four-door sedan body. When gearbox manufacturer David Brown was given the opportunity to drive the Atom in 1947, he decided to buy the company.

The Atom was a slightly odd-looking vehicle but possessed many modern features which would become the starting point for many new models in the years to come. Aston Martins's push-rod engines, however, were deemed inadequate by Mr. Brown. Rather than creating a new engine design he simply purchased Lagonda and the rights to produce the W.O. Bentley-designed twin-cam six-cylinder engine. This engine would become the basis for Aston Martin engines in the years to come and would give the company many podium finishes.

While negotiations were still in process with Lagonda, a small number of two-liter Aston Martins were created based on the Atom design. At the time, they were called 2-Liter Sports; in modern times they are commonly referred to as the DB1.

A six-cylinder Aston Martin racer made its racing debut at the first 24 Hours of LeMans in the post-War era. The production version was shown in April of 1950 at the New York Auto Show. It was called the DB2 and powered by a 2.6-liter Lagonda six clothed in a two-door coupe body designed by Frank Freely. The design was well received by the public and it appeared as though financial stability would soon become part of the company's lineage. The small factory struggled to keep pace with the demand for the new coupe as more interest was created by the Works DB2s as they scored several important victories including first and second in class at LeMans in 1950.

The first fifty cars created had large grilles that were later removed. In 1951, the Vantage model was introduced which was an upgraded version of the DB2. The DB3 became the company's racing entrant while the DB2 was their road-going model.

The two-seater DB2's first major update came in 1953 when it was given two rear seats and a name change to DB2/4. This, as was the DB2, was available in either fixed or drop-head configuration. Several chassis were delivered to custom coachbuilders to be fitted with unique creations orchestrated by customer's desires and demands. Among them were the 'Wacky' Arnolt commissioned Bertone Spiders which were very attractive and equally as popular.

Though meant for the road, the DB2/4 models were used by privateers in many various sporting events with much success. This inspired the Works to prepare three examples for the Rallye Monte Carlo in 1955. Their efforts were rewarded with a first in class and a Team Prize.

Another major revision occurred in 1956 with the introduction of the DB2/4 MKII featuring a three-liter version of the six-cylinder engine producing 140 horsepower. An even more powerful version was available, featuring a high-lift camshaft, larger valves, and 165 horsepower. Coachbuilders were still given the opportunity to create their versions of the car. The most memorable was a Touring created Spyder shown at the 1956 Earls Court show in London. Three additional orders were placed but never materialized. Nevertheless, this would be the start of a relationship between the British-based Aston Martin Company and the Touring Coachbuilding firm, resulting in spectacular creations throughout the years.

The fourth and final update to the DB2/4 was the MKIII, also known as the DB MK III, introduced in 1957. The basic design of the prior DB cars was retained, as it had proven to be very popular and versatile. The most noticeable change was to the front which received a revised frontal region. The big changes occurred elsewhere, with the vehicle's mechanical components, including the standard 162 horsepower engine and front disc brakes. Both of these changes greatly improved the vehicle's performance and handling capabilities.

In 1958 the DB2 Series was replaced by the DB4 which was powered by a 3.7-liter version of the six-cylinder engine.

by Dan Vaughan