Estimate:
£310,000 - £350,000

• U.S.-specification example, delivered new to California
• Retains its original engine
• Correct period upgrades

The DB2/4 defined forever the essence of what an Aston Martin should be, and later-production examples were the best of their kind. By 1958 the David Brown era was well under way with international competition success and a new base at Newport Pagnell.

The DB2/4 had achieved success on international rallies and attracted high-profile buyers, including the kings of Belgium and Jordan, plus land speed record holder Donald Campbell. Styling cues including the grille and dashboard designs would continue into the later DB line of cars.

The DB2/4 Mk III had been refined through development and now featured a 2.9-litre engine redesigned by Tadek Marek, which customers could order in standard form or in two levels of tuning. It benefitted from better seats and was available as either a coupe or as a Tickford drophead convertible of which just 84 examples were made. Road & Track described it as ‘a car for connoisseurs’. Production would end in 1959 with the arrival of the DB4.
The car also played a role in Ian Fleming’s novel Goldfinger, starting the marque’s association with James Bond.

The car presented here left the factory as a LHD example with a four-speed manual gearbox finished in Deep Carriage Green with light cream Connolly leather, black Everflex roof, and whitewall Avon tyres. It was delivered on 2 July 1958 to Hans Baruch of Berkeley, California. Still in California, it was purchased in 1999 by a Californian collector of 1950s sports cars.

He commenced a restoration and took the opportunity to enhance its specification with period upgrades. This was based on exacting research that included correspondence with the original Aston Martin U.S. service engineer—which is retained with the car. Invoices detail engine upgrades including new intake valves, exhaust valves, and bronze guides.

After the completion of the restoration, it was used for touring and featured at a number of concours events. Today the car is presented in light grey blue with matching leather interior and navy hood tonneau, with the odometer reading 78,000 miles. This fabulous example of a David Brown–era convertible is ready to be enjoyed by another Aston Martin enthusiast.

Please note that contrary to the printed catalogue, the estimate is £310,000 – £350,000. Furthermore, UK registration has been applied for and the new UK V5C registration document will follow post-sale.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/lf19.