1937 Aston Martin MKII

Sir Arthur Sutherland, who had been persuaded to take the chair at Aston Martin, convinced Bert Bertelli, the Technical Director and Head of Design at Aston since 1926, that road cars could help secure the company's financial future. Despite the success of their racing program and the popularity of the earlier sporting cars, such as the T-Type, International, Le Mans, and Ulster, the financial stability of the company could be improved with a chassis suitable for passenger coachwork which could broaden their customer base.

For 1936, near cars appeared to LeMans. They were two-seaters similar to the Ulster but with a longer stroke, 100 horsepower, 2-liter versions of the proven wet-sump engine. It was given the title 15/98, which referred to the new type's fiscal horsepower and rated power. Between 1936 and 1939, a total of 176 examples of the 2-liter 15/98 were produced. These cars focused on the comfort of the passengers. Shot and long-chassis examples were built, both featuring a Moss synchromesh gearbox, Luvax hydraulic rear dampers, and Girling rod-operated brakes. The early examples were given bodies by E. Bertelli, while subsequent chassis were clothed by Abbey or Abbot. All 25 of the drophead coupes built were bodied by E.D. Abbott of Farnham, in a style then known as a 'Doctor's Coupe.' 24 examples were the four-seat 15/98 Long Chassis Tourers.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2017