1947 was the year that the floundering British marques of Aston Martin and Lagonda were both saved from oblivion by wealthy Yorkshire industrialist David Brown, who bought and combined them to create Aston Martin Lagonda. The first product of the marriage was the 2-litre Sports, retrospectively dubbed the DB1. However, it was the DB2 that really paved the way forward - first seen in prototype form at Le Mans in 1949, the newcomer was officially launched at the New York Motor Show of April 1950. It then shot to prominence a mere two months later when, with three cars hastily snatched from the production line, the Works team finished first and second in class at Le Mans and won the Index of Performance. Next came the DB2/4 that was introduced to the public at the 1953 London Motor Show. Its significant developments were: the addition of a small rear seat that turned the car into a 2+2; the raised roofline to provide extra headroom for rear seat passengers and the curved, single-piece windscreen. Far more momentous, though, was the Aston's opening tailgate which we now appreciate made the DB2/4 the world's first `hatchback'.

The home market DB2/4 on offer is a matching numbers Mulliner-bodied car with cast aluminium sills, that is described by the vendor as `ideal for a sympathetic or full restoration'. It has apparently remained within the same ownership for the last 22 years and is said to have a `very solid chassis and body', which have been shot blasted for inspection. It is resplendent in its original livery of Mid Blue bodywork and Grey interior trim, is powered by the relatively rare 2922cc engine, and is now offered complete with a modest-sized history file and V5C. The recorded mileage currently stands at a credible but unverified 65,334. A rare and exciting opportunity.

PLEASE NOTE: All estimates are subject to a buyer's premium of 15% incl. VAT (@ 20%)