Description
This car is Lot 121 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Members' Meeting Sale on the 13th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Saturday 12th April from 09:00 until 17:00 and Sunday 13 April from 09:00, at Goodwood Members' Meeting.
Lot 121
In-period competition history
1954 Aston Martin DB2/ 4 Sports Saloon
Registration no. UPC 893
Chassis no. LML/ 644
In-period competition history: Goodwood, Aintree, Oulton Park, Snetterton and RAC Rally
Known ownership history
Present ownership since 2014
Engine rebuild by Aston Service Dorset in 2015 at the cost of £32, 000
Excellent history file
This Aston Martin DB2/ 4 was delivered new to a Mr Frank Defty and first registered in the name of his company, Kirk & Kirk Ltd, on 11th February 1954. According to the accompanying copy guarantee form and BMIHT certificate, the car was originally finished in Moonbeam Grey with grey-piped red leather interior, and was retailed via Brooklands of Bond Street.
Amazingly, Mr Defty managed to obtain an entry in the inaugural Aintree race meeting held that same year, lining up at the start with his showroom-fresh and virtually unmodified DB2/ 4 in the company of an Aston Martin DB3 and DB3S, HWM, Cooper Bristol, three Ecurie Ecosse Le Mans Jaguars, and a Lotus, The latter was driven by Colin Chapman, while other big names sprinting across the track for the 'Le Mans' start included Carroll Shelby, Roy Salvadori, Tony Brooks, and the Marquis de Portago. Not surprisingly, Defty finished last.
Undeterred, the enthusiastic Mr Defty then entered the RAC International Rally, a 2, 000-mile marathon that encompassed special stages, hill climbs and circuit races; and he also raced his DB2/ 4 at several of the UK short circuits. Defty sold the Aston Martin in early 1955. The history files contain a substantial quantity of photographs, several contributed by Mr Defty, showing 'UPC 893' in action at the RAC Rally, Blackpool Test, Prescott, Goodwood and Aintree. The aforementioned guarantee form list two subsequent owners: Messrs B Rhodes and N Vampleau (changes undated).
By the time he sold it, Frank Defty had covered some 17, 000 miles in the Aston in just seven months of ownership. The copy guarantee form lists the second owner as on R E Rhodes of Rotherham and the next as N Vampleau of Cornwall. By 1960, 'UPC 893' had passed into the ownership of Mr John Wall, remaining with him, latterly in storage, until 1974 when it was acquired by Mr Harry Gadsby. Damaged in a garage fire, the car was purchased by restorer Alan Ball who set about repairing and restoring it to a high standard, which included a respray in British Racing Green.
Following completion, the Aston saw only gentle use before being placed in storage for a further 20 years. Discovered and purchased in 2007 by the immediately preceding owner, the car was found to require relatively little by way of recommissioning: fuel system cleaned and overhauled; new front wheel bearings; all fluids and filters changed; new points, condenser and rotor arm; shot-blasted and repainted wheels; and new tyres. On 25th November 2007, 'UPC 893' was back on the road, returned to its former glory.
Our vendor purchased the Aston for his competition car collection in November 2014. In 2015 the engine was rebuilt by Aston Service Dorset (see bill for of £32, 000 on file), since when the car has been used sparingly in a variety of events where it is often driven by the owner's wife. The accompanying extensive history, contained in several boxes, includes the aforementioned period photographs; an old-style RF. 60 continuation logbook; copy old V5 registration document; an album of photographs taken at various events with previous owner David Alistair Hibbert; correspondence with Mr Defty; a copy of A. M. News (October 2010); copy guarantee form; various copy newspaper cuttings referring to the car; numerous invoices in the previous owner's name; copies old MoTs; and a UK V5C Registration Certificate.
Benefiting from a recent engine rebuild by marque specialists with bills on file £32, 000, and possessing in-period Goodwood history, this very special Aston Martin DB2/ 4 would be the perfect partner for the upcoming touring season.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
