Lot 140: 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 3.0-Litre Drophead Coupé

With the introduction of the '2+2' DB2/4 in October 1953, Aston Martin extended the 2/4's appeal to the hitherto untapped yet increasingly important market comprised of 'sportscar enthusiasts with a family'. Modifications to the rear of the chassis plus a reduction in fuel tank capacity from 19 to 17 gallons liberated sufficient space within the existing design for two child-sized occasional rear seats. Alternatively, the rear seat backs could be folded down, thus creating a load-carrying platform that more than doubled the luggage space. "This transformation gives the Aston Martin DB2/4 an unrivalled luggage-carrying capacity in a car which should be capable in favourable circumstances of achieving two miles a minute," reported The Motor. "The DB2/4 can truthfully claim to be the fastest car in the world capable of carrying two people with a month's luggage." Despite the DB2/4 having the 125bhp Vantage engine as standard, the re-design's inevitable weight gain was not fully compensated for until the arrival of the 3.0-litre 140bhp engine in 1954. DB2/4 production had amounted to 565 cars by the time of the MkII's introduction in October 1955, just 73-or-so of which were drophead coupés. The AMOC Register records that this car was raced by William Verdon-Smith at Wiscombe Park hill climb in 1980. Sold to Dr Michael Brown in January 1981, it was purchased from him by the current owner in October 1988. We are advised that a replacement speedometer was fitted in 1977 (an expired MoT dated October 1975 records the mileage at that time as 60,064) since when some 11,500-or-so miles have been covered. From 1977 onwards this car has been maintained by recognised specialists Four Ashes Garage of Stratford-upon-Avon, as evidenced by a most substantial file of related invoices including one for a total engine rebuild completed in May of that year. During the current ownership more than £31,000 has been spent on various works including a bare metal repaint, re-chroming of brightwork, brake system overhaul, new bumper bars, fuel system overhaul, new front grille, wheels refurbishment, interior woodwork refinishing and a new windscreen. This fastidiously maintained DB2/4 drophead coupé is offered with numerous service/maintenance invoices and expired MoTs, old-style continuation logbook, current MoT and Swansea V5 document.