1937 Aston Martin 15/98

This very rare 1937 Aston Martin 15/ 98 short-chassis is one of approximately 175 examples of the 2-Litre platform produced between 1936 and 1939 and is among just 25 fitted with a drophead-coupe bodywork from E. D. Abbott of Farnham in Surrey. Chassis A9/ 825/ SC is said to have remained under the stewardship of a former chairman of the Aston Martin Owners Club of North America for 25 years, at the beginning of which it underwent a refurbishment by Steel Wings of Warminster, Pennsylvania. Following completion of the project in 1998, the car placed second in its class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and under subsequent ownership, is said to have won its class at the 2017 Manhasset Concours d’Elegnace.

The car is finished in red over black and is powered by a 1, 949cc SOHC inline-four mated to a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on its top three gears. Additional features include twin recently refurbished SU carburetors, mechanically actuated finned drum brakes, hydraulic rear shock absorbers, body-color 17” wire wheels, a beige convertible top, and a dickey seat. This 15/ 98 DHC is now offered with photos and invoices from the 1990s refurbishment, factory literature, manual, original brochures (all very rare), a clean California title and registered as an antique vehicle in Dallas, Texas where the car currently resides.

Based on the 2-Litre Speed Model competition cars, the 15/ 98 model debuted at the 1936 Olympia Motor Show with saloon or open tourer coachwork. The following year saw the introduction of a sportier short-wheelbase chassis that was unveiled at the 1937 Motor Show at Earls Court clothed in either 2/ 4-seater or drophead-coupe coachwork. The latter was provided by E. D. Abbott and featured a fixed windshield, a folding convertible top, roll-up windows, and a rear dickey seat. This example’s body was partially disassembled and stripped to bare metal before being repainted in red during the 1990s refurbishment. Underbody of car is clean. Note: Car has a few minor scratches and cracks in areas of the finish near door and window hinges as well as a small dent on the left fender. The soft-top cloth has the full cover and bikini cover option - has some small stains. Winter-storage cloth cover is also available.

Exterior features include rear-hinged doors, a louvered hood through which dual exhaust pipes pass, trafficators, dual side mirrors, and a beige convertible top that can be stowed under a matching boot.

Body-color wire wheels are secured by two-eared knock-offs and wear 6. 00-17 Englebert Competition P tires, as does a matching spare secured to the rear of the car. Stopping is handled by mechanically actuated finned drum brakes at each corner.

The right-hand-drive cockpit is equipped with a set of bucket seats trimmed in black upholstery with matching trim over the door panels, rear shelf, and dickey seat. Additional features include color-keyed carpeting, wood door caps, a wood dash with a passenger-side storage cubby, door pockets, and RJS four-point harnesses.

The four-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of Smiths instrumentation including a 5” governor-type 100-mph speedometer, a 5, 500-rpm tachometer, and gauges monitoring amperage, fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 3k miles.

The 1, 949cc inline-four incorporates a single overhead camshaft, a finned sump, twin SU carburetors, dual Lucas fuel pumps, magneto ignition, and finned exhaust headers. Output was factory rated at 98 horsepower. The engine was overhauled in the late 1990s by David Taylor in Dorchester, England, using a replacement block, and invoices are available as part of the sale.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Moss four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on its top three gears. Suspension incorporates solid axles and semi-elliptical leaf springs at front and rear as well as lever-arm hydraulic rear shock absorbers and friction shocks up front.

Photos from the 1990s refurbishment are included in the sale along with other images of the car from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Very recently, the original pair of SU fuel pumps and the original pair of SU carbs were refurbished with new gaskets etc. by SU experts (receipts available). The car starts, idles, runs like a champ, and stops as it should.