"Following the end of WWII, Aston Martin faced its third major financial crisis when a lack of capital prevented the development of new and necessary post-war models. A cryptic advertisement in The Times caught successful industrialist David Brown’s eye and by February 1947, a mere £20,500 was required for him to gain ownership of the firm. A few months later, another shrewd acquisition netted Brown to the Lagonda Company, which provided a modern 2,580 cc twin-overhead camshaft engine. In various forms, this basic engine design would continue through 1959, powering Aston Martin’s DB2, DB2/4, and DB Mk. III road cars, as well as the DB3 and DB3S sports racers.
While these developments satisfied Brown the businessman, the racer inside nurtured the dream of scoring outright victory at the ultimate endurance competition, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Under the leadership of legendary team manager John Wyer and newly-hired drivers, including Jack Fairman, George Abecassis, Lance Macklin and Reg Parnell, racing began in earnest with the prototype DB2 models of 1949. One of these, LML/49/3, earned a Le Mans class podium finish. This promising start was followed by a trio of DB2s, LML/50/7, 50/8, and 50/9, that were entered in 1950 and two earned class awards. These were followed by the introduction of the DB3 and 3S competition cars, which moved the needle forward from 1952 through 1956. David Brown’s racing aspirations and his Works team efforts culminated in 1959, when the DBR1, driven by Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby, won Le Mans outright. That same year, the World Sports Car Championship also fell to Aston Martin, with additional help from the likes of such legendary drivers as Stirling Moss, Jack Fairman, and Tony Brooks.
The hugely successful DB4, DB5, and DB6 Grand Tourers, powered by a new alloy twin-cam six, followed in the 1959 to 1969 period. A new V8 engine debuted in 1969 as the DBS V8, versions of this alloy masterpiece powering post-David Brown era Astons for a further two decades. Knighted in 1968, Sir David Brown’s 25-year stewardship produced, without a doubt, the most varied and universally revered range of Aston Martin motorcars. They all owe their very existence to the landmark DB2.
The Aston Martin DB2 – The Start of Great Things
Originally supplied to a Mr. Garrett of Kingsclere in Berkshire, this spectacular example of the handsome Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mk. II is privately owned and entered by our client who resides in Denmark and has driven the car 800 miles to be offered at the Historics May auction stating ‘it didn’t miss a beat’. A fully numbers matching example, this car is presented in Gunmetal Grey metallic with a green contrasting trim, again fully matching the original order sheet which can be found in the history file. In the two years that this model was produced, only 199 units were made, and this car is number 17. The car has been completely nut and bolt restored over the past six years and now presents in fabulous condition both mechanically and cosmetically.
Currently registered in the EU on Danish plates, the car is subject to taxes if sold in the UK (5% we believe) but can return to Europe without. The car is offered with a Heritage Trust Certificate, photos from the comprehensive restoration and invoices and receipts all contained within the significant history file. This Aston Martin has been enjoyed immensely by the vendor however he now feels it is time to let someone else enjoy it. This is an opportunity to purchase a much loved, stunningly restored, and perfectly useable DB 2/4 Mk. II at an estimate far less than the cost of such a restoration.
 "