1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkII Saloon

Here we have one of the finest examples of the much revered Aston Martin DB2/4, which has recently benefitted from a complete and thorough restoration in 2012 before competing in the fabled Mille Miglia in 2013. We have known of this car for more than 12 months, during which time we've gently prodded and coerced the fastidious owner into letting us present this fine example to the market, while he concentrates on other cars in his collection.

Supplied new to Knowsley Cast Metal Co Ltd, Manchester, in May 1957, the car's original colour scheme is recorded as Deep Carriage Green with beige trim, as it proudly sports today. This Aston Martin has been known to Four Ashes Garage for much of its life and has become well known by Aston Service Dorset in recent years too.

During his privileged ownership, our vendor has shown his Aston Martin at many prestigious events up and down the country, receiving a Salon Privé Lime Avenue award shortly after he acquired the car in 2013 for "The car you would most like to drive home" and entering the car in the SP Concours in 2014 where it fared admirably amongst the SWB Ferraris and DB5s in its class. Furthermore, this car has been shown on the Motorsport Magazine stand at the 2013 Silverstone Classic Show, at Motorsport Magazine's select barbeque evening with Sir Stirling Moss at London's Hurlingham Club and at the 2013 Regent Street Motor Show, and is always much admired.

Chassis AM300/1202 was sold by Bonhams in December 2010, at which time the car sported non-original Dubonnet Rosso coachwork and carried the caveat that in light of the fact that the car had not run in 12 months, "gentle re-commissioning" before road use was recommended. Well, as the buyer at auction that day will no doubt attest, "gentle" played no part in the restoration which was about to commence. The car was purchased by Franz Wittner, a well-known Austrian enthusiast and dealer, who set about an immediate and thorough restoration of the bodywork and engine of the car, returning the coachwork to its original Deep Carriage Green and tuning the engine with the focus on long distance touring and reliability rallies. Three large binders of the photographic restoration accompany the vehicle.

The resulting car is really exceptional with a sympathetic nod to originality from the interior trim, but looks an absolute treat as it did at the 2012 Ennstal Classic Alpine Rallye when Sir Stirling Moss drove the car (alongside his co-pilot wife Susie) and his signature adorns the dashboard. This is verified by photographs and a signed letter to the owner within the history file that reads:-

Dear XXXX,

Thank you for your letter regarding your Aston Martin DB2/4 LJA 287.

Susie and I vividly remember driving the car in the 2012 Ennstal Classic. It is an event we both enjoy and we have it in our diaries to attend every year.

We are pleased to hear that the car has recently completed the Mille Miglia. It is a testament to these cars and their drivers that they are still used competitively, if somewhat more sedately than my efforts in 1955.

Please find your photographs enclosed which I have signed with pleasure.

All the best.

Sir Stirling Moss O.B.E

Our vendor purchased "LJA 287' in March 2013, but did not take delivery of the car until June 2013, allowing Franz Wittner and his business partner, Tom Miller, to successfully complete the 2013 Mille Miglia, the car carrying the sporting roundels #396 that it still proudly wears today. The car behaved impeccably on the Mille and finished 165th in its class out of 422 competitors. Franz told our vendor that this was due to him taking it easy, as he had already sold the car, a likely story!

During his ownership, the Aston has been maintained exclusively by Aston Martin Dorset, and through them, D. Wood Motorsport who operate independently from their premises. In June 2014 D.Wood attended to the rear suspension, removed the back axle, fettled the brakes and replaced all as new for the sum of £6,000. In April 2015, the same company completed a carburetor and fuel system overhaul replacing the throttle cable and dismantling and rebuilding the carburetors to ensures smooth running, these works totaling more than £4,000.

In November 2013, to comply with many of the Concours events planned for the 2014 season, a FIVA identity card was applied for and granted. The MOT expired in June, and, although not legally required, a new one will be issued prior to sale. Offered for sale with a host of interesting and important documentation, literally hundreds of photographs of the restoration and even images of Sir Stirling Moss in his office signing pictures of the car, this is in our opinion an opportunity not to be missed for a still somewhat under-valued "DB' Aston Martin that will undoubtedly engender huge pride of ownership.