Aston Martin DB2/4 Rare Racing Heritage
£184,500
Aston Martin DB2/4 Rare Racing Heritage
Offer for sale after 10 years under current ownership, this most enchanting of the
much-sought Aston Martin DB2/4 has an outstanding history and is unusually in highly
original condition.
The story behind the car and in particular the first 5 years of its life are well documented
in both press reports and photographs. Additionally previous owners have invested
considerable time in communicating with the original owner and has a thick file of
letters that back up the photographs event records.
As was the case for most sports car racing in the mid 1950’s, this road-going Aston
Martin DB2/4 fresh from the showroom in 1954 and with uprated shock absorbers as
the only modification lined up against the stiffest of competition under the pilotage of
its then privateer owner, Frank Defty.
‘UPC 893′ car was featured in the Summer 2013 issue of ‘Vantage’ magazine, an
extract from which written by the vendor & Richard Meaden is offered here;
“I was aware that enthusiasts of the early Feltham DB models knew that a DB2/4 had
raced at the inaugural meeting at the Aintree race circuit, but that it had been ‘lost’ and
nobody knew of its whereabouts. That first Aintree meeting was unique in that the
circuit was raced anti-clockwise. Amongst the photographs of my car was UPC 893 in
torrential rain at what looked like Aintree, and travelling in an anti-clockwise
direction…”
“How he got an entry for the Aintree meeting I will never know! Can you imagine
entering a standard DB2/4 against the might of three Ecurie Ecosse Le Mans Jaguars,
HWM Jaguar and Maserati, plus an assortment of Aston DB3 and DB3S’s, Frazer
Nash, Cooper Bristol and a Lotus driven by a certain Colin Chapman? It’s
extraordinary. To make matters worse, the weather was appalling and the drivers had
to do a Le Mans start.
Defty would have found himself dashing across the tarmac towards his DB2/4 carrying
race number 99 and from the corner of his eye seeing Carroll Shelby, Roy Salvadori,
the Marquis de Portago and Tony Brooks amongst others. What they must have
thought is anyone’s guess, but hats off to him. He finished last of course, but at least
he didn’t crash. Unlike Chapman!”
Seemingly unperturbed by poor weather and a competitive field, it seems the defiant
Defty and his trusty showroom-fresh, mere one-month old DB2/4 – sporting just a set
of hot plugs and heavy-duty shock absorbers by way of ‘competition tuning’ – had
entered the 2,000 miles of RAC International Rally which comprised closed stages, hill
climb courses and track action to complete. Shortly after, now undoubtedly hooked,
Defty and UPC 893 were seen on track at Goodwood, Oulton Park and Snetterton.
Defty sold the car in early 1955 having racked up some 17,000miles in just seven
months of ownership.
We pick up more of the history of this car in 1960 under the stewardship of Mr John
Wall, who used the car for a period before storing until 1974. At this time the car was
acquired by Mr Harry Gadsby reputedly for just £950.00 needing recommissioning. It
remained with Gadsby for four years before being damaged in a garage fire which
caused damage to the bonnet and roof from falling debris. Now damaged, the car was
purchased by restorer Alan Ball who set about repairing the car and restoring what
was required. These remedial works were completed to a high standard and the car
repainted in the striking British Racing Green colour as it still wears today. ‘UPC 893′
was subjected to just mild use upon completion before again being entered into longterm
storage for what would be a further 20 years…
It is a reflection of the underlying condition of the car that, upon discovery and
purchase in 2007 by our vendor, all that was required in its recommissioning was to
remove, clean and seal fuel tank, blow-out fuel line and clean fuel pump and
carburettors. The front wheel bearings were renewed and brake shoes checked. All
oil was drained from the sump, gearbox, rear axle, front suspension and steering
spindle, the engine flushed, oil-filter changed and all refilled with oil as appropriate.
Finally, new points, condenser and rotor arm plus shot-blasted and repainted wheels,
new tyres and fresh fuel ahead of the car’s first drive on the 25th November 2007,
good as new!…
This Aston Martin looks sensational; unmolested, completely authentic and proudly
bearing the patina of a car that’s driven. We share the owner’s enthusiasm for the car
to the tee and likewise support the belief that the best way of keeping a car running
sweetly is regular use and basic maintenance. Whilst in storage through the winter the
car is often cranked over on the handle, which itself still resides within the clasps which
are built to accommodate it in the engine bay.
Journalist, Richard Meaden, in an article from Vantage magazine, Summer 2013,
summarises: “I can wholeheartedly attest to UPC 893’s magical charisma, and to [the
owner’s] enthusiasm for the car and its unique story. Of course, it’s no DBR1, but if
you’re a sucker for the romance of a man who bought a new Aston Martin in 1954,
decided to take it racing and rubbed shoulders with the greats then this DB2/4 is just
about as good as it gets…”
Post purchase by the current owner in
November 2014, and with just 35,000 miles
the engine benefitted from a full all new
internals rebuild by Aston Martin Dorset at a
cost of £32,000. This included refurbishment
of the front chassis and suspension whilst
the engine was removed for rebuild. As born
out in the photographs, the work by Aston
was second to none.
The DB2/4 has been used sparingly under
the current ownership covering less than
2,000 miles in the decade of ownership.
In 2020 a refresh of the rear suspension,
chassis, brakes and fuel tank was completed
at a cost of £21,000 by ourselves CSP in Kent. Again the work was fully
documented in a photographic folder.
The car is offered for sale with all noted documentation.
This is a very rare chance to own an exceptional piece of racing history which is well documented.
Finance offered, PX considered.
Open to sensible offers
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