Lot 566: 1930 Aston Martin 1.5-Litre International Short Chassis Tourer

Manufactured by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin, the first Aston-Martins (the hyphen is correct for the period) rapidly established a reputation for high performance and sporting prowess in the immediate post-WWI years. Unfortunately, the management’s concentration on motor sport, while accruing invaluable publicity, distracted it from the business of manufacturing cars for sale, the result being just 50-or-so cars sold by 1925 when the company underwent the first of what would be many changes of ownership. The foundations were laid for the commencement of proper series production with the formation of Aston Martin Motors Ltd in 1926 under the stewardship of Augustus Bertelli and William Renwick. Built at the firm’s new Feltham works, the first ‘new generation’ Aston Martins were displayed at the 1927 London Motor Show at Olympia. Like his predecessors, ‘Bert’ Bertelli understood the effect of competition success on Aston Martin sales and sanctioned the construction of two works racers for the 1928 season. Based on the 1.5-litre, overhead-camshaft road car, the duo featured dry-sump lubrication, and this feature was carried over to the International sports model, newly introduced for 1929. Built in two wheelbase lengths (102” and 118”), only 81 Internationals were manufactured between 1929 and 1932, mostly with bodies by Augustus’ brother Enrico ‘Harry’ Bertelli. This ‘short chassis’ International was first registered on 17th July 1930. During WW2, the car, reputedly, was owned by a scientist working at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. The accompanying old-style buff logbook (issued 1946) records three owners: Major S N Sheffield, of Sevenoaks, Kent (the RAE scientist?); Peter White, of Farnborough, Hampshire (1948); and from 1952 Eric Richard Farmer, of Bromley, Kent (last date stamp 1955). The (copy) chassis build card on file is not very legible, but one can make out Mr White’s name and those of two previous owners. ‘GH 4093’ remained in Mr Farmer’s possession for the next 40 years and shortly after its acquisition by the current owner featured in Michael Worthington-Williams’ ‘Finds and Discoveries’ column in The Automobile magazine (February 1992 edition). It transpired that Mr Farmer had used the car until around 1956, at which time he laid it up in the garage adjoining his house and commenced restoration. (There are numerous old bills and invoices on file dating from the 1950s - for example: a new complete radiator for £38 15s 5d from Great Western Radiators in May 1955). For some reason the work was never completed and the car remained partly disassembled for many years. In 1991 the vendor was able to purchase the car from Mr Farmer’s daughter, and was delighted to find that despite all its years asunder it had remained virtually complete. Most of the original ash body frame was sound, and has been reused, although some restoration was necessary and it has been re-panelled. Since coming into the vendor’s possession, ‘GH 4093’ has been fully restored. Work carried out has included a full body restoration using the original frame; gearbox and worm axle overhaul; comprehensive engine rebuild; and correct nickel plating throughout. The work was carried out by marque specialist Bill Elwell-Smith, of Ruislip, Middlesex between 1992 and 1995 at a cost of some £60,000, while other specialists involved include Chisholm Trimming of Milton Keynes (interior) and Vintage Restorations (instruments). Only 3,000-or-so miles have been covered since completion and the car comes with two history files containing all receipts and correspondence relating to its restoration as well as many pre-war documents. A remarkably original car with matching numbers, ‘GH 4093’ is finished in Carver Blue with immaculate dark blue hide interior complemented by matching top quality double-duck tonneau, hood and hood cover. One of the best examples of an International anywhere, this highly desirable vintage Aston Martin runs and handles beautifully and is offered with current MoT/road fund licence and Swansea V5.