1954 Aston Martin DB2/4

• A lovely 1954, right-hand drive, DB2/4 with great history and current FIVA papers
• Owned in the 1980's by Philip Gould, a founding member of the 80's pop band, Level 42
• Over ú30,000 spent during our vendor's ownership with marque experts, Nic Mee and Moto Technique
• FIVA papers offering entry to the Mille Miglia recently secured and these may be transferable
• Really lovely condition. Success in the 2016 Aston Martin Concours d'Elegance
• With a fascinating history, this is Classic Aston ownership at its very best

The Aston Martin DB2/4 was launched from Feltham in October 1953 and was offered as a sporting 2+2 hatchback or an open drophead Coupe. Although similar to the DB2 it replaced, changes included a smaller fuel tank, rear suspension upgrade, wraparound windscreen, larger bumpers, and re-positioned headlights. A number of special bodied cars were also produced by Italian coachbuilders Carrozzeria Allemano, Bertone and Vignale who were commissioned at special request by private clients. David Brown had purchased the Lagonda company a few years earlier, primarily to obtain the W.O.Bentley designed, double overhead camshaft straight-six, which he wanted as a replacement for the ageing Claude Hill four-cylinder unit. He knew success in motorsport would benefit sales, and used the 2.6-litre, six-cylinder unit to power the works DB2s which were campaigned at Le Mans and across Europe throughout the early 1950's.

The DB2/4 engine (VB6J) was initially tuned to 125bhp, propelling the car to 120mph and 0-60mph in 11.2 seconds. However, in the summer of 1954, the capacity was increased from 2,580cc to 2,992cc, which raised power to 140bhp at 5,000rpm and reduced the 0-60mph time to ten seconds dead. Autocar described the DB2/4 in October 1953 as: