1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III Drophead Coupe

• One of only 84 Mk III Drophead Coupés ever built
• Left-hand drive and delivered new to a Mr Cook of Long Island, New York in October 1957
• The Build Certificate confirms that it was Desert White with Red Leather from new and that it's still fitted with its original engine
• According to the AMOC records this was the first Mk III DHC to be completed. There are three chassis numbers ahead of this one (1391,1392 and 1402) but this car was apparently finished before those
• Indicating 37,698 miles, which could well be correct given its history and periods of storage
• An element of recommissioning will be required following some time off the road
• The Aston is accompanied by its Assured Provenance Certificate and Inspection Document from Aston Works
• On a NOVA. Very rare car and an exciting opportunity to join a rather exclusive club

The DB 2/4 Mk III (normally known as the Mk III, even at the time of its introduction) was the final evolution of the Feltham-built David Brown Astons and was the fastest and most refined of the early post-war cars. Production lasted from 1957 through to 1959 and the Mk III retained the Willie Watson-designed ‘LB6’ which had already been extended from 2.6 to 2.9-litres but was further developed by Tadek Marek for the III and now offered 162bhp at 5500rpm on twin-SUs.

Other improvements included for the first time ever on an Aston, disc brakes, the hydraulically operated clutch was new as well, and an optional Laycock-de Normanville overdrive became standard after the first 100 cars.

From the outside, the major difference was the grille which stylist Frank Feeley adopted from the DB3S racer and the stylish aperture was just what the road car needed replacing the horizontal bars of its predecessor which over time could look like a bad day at the dentist. The same signature shape was echoed inside with the new instrument binnacle which finally placed all the instruments in front of the driver

Unbeknown to many, the DB Mk III is another 'James Bond' Aston Martin, appearing in Ian Fleming's novel 'Goldfinger', though by the time the book made it to the screen the DB5 was the current model, so that was used instead.

According to a copy Build Certificate, Chassis ‘AM300/3/1403’ was delivered to its first owner, a Mr Cook of Long Island, New York on the 15th October 1957. The certificate also states that the car was delivered in left-hand drive configuration, finished in Desert White with a red leather interior and the engine number on the build sheet matches the car's current engine.

An old advert from 2008 in the history file shows that this Mk III Drophead was in storage for 40 years in the States. Having subsequently resided in another collection with little use these past few years, it appears that this car really has not had much use at all during its lifetime. Indeed, the odometer shows 37,698 miles which could well be correct given the circumstances. Pleasingly, the Aston is accompanied by its Assured Provenance Certificate and Inspection Document from Aston Works.

Presented to auction on a NOVA, with UK Taxes paid, this special and rare car will need an element of re-commissioning before it can return to the road having spent some time in storage. According to the AMOC records this was the first Mk III DHC to be completed. There are 3 chassis numbers ahead of this one (1391,1392 and 1402) but this car was apparently finished before those. This is a very rare car, indeed, we believe only 84 DB Mk III Drophead Coupés were ever built making this example a very exciting and rare opportunity to join a rather exclusive club