The Aston Martin DB2/4 Sports Car

                                           1954 Aston Martin DB2/4                                                   This gorgeous classic was seen near Greenwich during the 2015 London                                                 to Brighton Classic Car Run

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The Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark 1

THE CAR

     In 1953, the DB2 sports car, the best-selling Aston Martin to date, was replaced by the Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark 1, priced at £2,621, which was offered as a Drophead Coupe, a 2+2 Hatchback Saloon, and a small number of Bertone designed Spider convertibles.

     It had an aluminium body with a kerb weight of 1195 kg, and early cars were prepared by the legendary coachbuilder Mulliner although, by 1954, this was changed to the Tickford Company.

     By modifying the area around the back axle, it was possible to introduce two rear seats together with an increase in the rear roofline, and convert the rear section into a hatchback.

     Additions included the use of a wraparound windscreen, separate bumpers, and raising the position of the headlights.

     When production of the Mark 1 ended in 1955, a total of 565 Mark 1's had been built, of which 102 were Drophead Coupes, 458 Saloons, and the remaining 5 were Spiders.

                                       1953 Aston Martin 2/4 Mark 1    

THE ENGINE

     The Mark 1 sports car was powered by the same engine as used in the DB2 Vantage, and consisted of a Lagonda 2.6 litre, DOHC, straight six unit that developed 125 bhp at 5000 rpm, and 144 ft/lbs of torque at 2400 rpm.

     Fitted with a four speed manual gearbox, it produced a top speed of 111 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 11.5 secs.

     However, by early 1954, both the Saloon and Drophead Coupe were fitted with the larger 2.9 litre, DOHC, straight six Lagonda engine that developed 140 bhp at 5000 rpm, and 178 ft/lbs of torque at 3000 rpm.

     Retaining the same gearbox and fitted with two SU HV6 carburettors, it produced a top speed of 118 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 9.7 secs.

     It used hydraulic drum brakes all round, and there was now a marginal increase in weight to 1210 kg.                                                               

                                           Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark 1          Image

The Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark 2

THE CAR

     Also in 1955, Aston Martin Launched the Mark 2 version.

     External styling changes included the addition of small fins at the rear, different rear lights as used in the Morris Minor, and an increase in the use of chrome.    

     A new two seater Fixed Head Coupe variant was introduced, whilst retaining the Drophead Coupe, although only 34 units were produced using bodies hand-made by the Tickford Company, which had been acquired by David Brown in 1954.

     As part of a special order, three of these chassis were dispatched to the Italian coachbuilders Carrozzeria Touring in order to create the Spider Variant.

     By the time production of the Mark 2 ended in 1957, a total of 199 units had been built, of which 146 were Saloons, 34 Fixed Head Coupes, 16 Drophead Coupes, and 3 Spiders.

THE ENGINE

     As an optional extra, the Mark 2 sports car was fitted with the more powerful version of the 2.9 litre, Lagonda engine which included larger valves, and the compression increased to 8.6:1.

     This enabled output to increase to 165 bhp, and produced a top speed of 120 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 9.3 secs.                                                        

Technical Data               DB2/4              DB2/4           DB2/4            DB2
Production                 1953-1954      1954-1955    1955-1957   1950-1953
Engine, cc                       2580                2922             2922             2580
Cylinders, bhp               6, 125              6, 140           6, 165           6, 105
Torque ft/lbs                   144                 178                184               125
Top Speed mph               111                  118               120               110
0-60 mph, secs               11.5                 9.7                 9.3              12.4
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs   18.4                17.2               16.9                -

                                           Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark 2          Image

COMPETITION

     The following sports cars were typical of the competition for the DB2/4: Jaguar XK140, Maserati 3500GT, Maserati A6HG, and BMW 507

                                                               Jaguar       Maserati   Maserati    BMW
Technical Data              DB2/4          XK140        3500GT       A6G         507
Production                1953-1955    1954-1957      1957        1957        1956
Engine, cc                      2580             3442            3485        1986        3169
Cylinders, bhp              6, 125           6, 190          6, 227       6, 148     8, 150
Torque ft/lbs                  144              203               232           123         173
Top Speed mph               120              120              137            131         122
0-60 mph, secs              12.6              8.2               7.2             9.9         10.9
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs  18.9             16.4             15.5           17.5           - 

SPORTS CARS FOR SALE

     An Aston Martin DB2/4 in good condition would command in the region of $120,000/£75,000 to $250,000/£150,000, whilst a really superb example would fetch around $500,000/£300,000.


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