Jeremy Cottingham

Highlights of this particular Motorcar:

Matching numbers example
Concours condition having just undergone a £166,000 restoration
Has covered a mere 750 'run in' miles since the completion
One of just 98 DHC DB2s ever made
Part of a prestigious private collection
Possibly the best DB2 Vantage Drophead in existence

Exact Description of this Specific Motorcar

This stunning Jubilee Blue DB2 Vantage was comprehensively restored over two years at a cost of over £166,000, it is in Concours condition and is arguably the best DB2 Vantage available for sale today.

Delivered to New York and registered on 29th August 1952
DVLA records record its first registration on 31st December 1951
New York registration document included in history file
Acquired by the vendor from Beverly Hills Car Club in April 2016 as a non-running project for £265,000
Little is known of the car’s history between 1952 and 2016
Exported by the vendor and delivered to Rzepecki in March 2017
Stored by the vendor in a dry, dehumidified garage when not in use
Restored by specialists Rzepecki Auto of Jablonna between 2016 and November 2019 at a cost of £166,000
Originally factory supplied in Jubilee Blue (paint code AST5082D) with beige trim

Matching numbers car:

Chassis: LML/50/151
Engine: VB6B/50/1051
Gearbox: DBCW/50/364

Invoice for restoration work included in photographs and covers:

Labour: £46,971
Bodywork: £28,674
Paintwork: £12,000
Upholstery: £8,800
Chromework: £8,415.86
Upgrades (see below): £32,253
Wheels: £4,194.60

Upgrades include:

Aluminium radiator
Alternator replacing dynamo but fitted into factory dynamo box
Electric fuel pump and radiator fan
Power steering
5spd gearbox (original gearbox supplied with car)
Bell housing modified for oil seal conversion
Aluminium fuel tank
Le Mans exhaust
New camshafts and new Arrow crankshaft
High flow oil pump
Oil filter conversion fitted into original housing
Smaller steering wheel
Front light conversion to LED
New shock absorbers front and rear

Factory supplied options included:

Indicators
Windshield vents
Bulkhead modifications as applied to all later DB2s
New type of dynamo

This car was originally supplied to New York and registered on 29th August 1952. The car’s original factory documentation is supplied with the car verifying that this is a matching numbers Vantage. It was factory supplied in Jubilee Blue - as now - but with beige leather trim.

The owner acquired the car in 2016 from Beverly Hills Car Club as a project and there are photographs in the history file showing its condition at purchase.

The car was then taken to Rzepecki Auto in Poland for restoration between 8th August 2017 and 25th November 2019. The vendor has used Rzepecki to restore 10 of his high-end classic cars including other Aston Martins, an E Type and a Mercedes 190SL.

Rzepecki is a well regarded specialist in classic car restoration established in 1985 by Maciej Rzepecki, an engineer, car constructor, pilot, sailor and car collector. The company limits its output to 20 restorations per year and specialises in British marques such as Aston Martin. It runs an annual car rally for owners of its restored cars and has restored notable models such as a Jaguar XK Peking to Paris car and the 40th production E Type.

The restoration work was extensive and the total cost was £166,183.95. While the vendor focussed on originality the car does have some useful and tasteful upgrades, which are listed above. They notably include mechanical modifications to improve reliability, fitment of power steering and a 5speed gearbox. Reflecting the care and attention of Rzepecki, the original gearbox is supplied with the car and the mechanical modifications have replicated the original factory aesthetics where possible.

The car is part of the vendor’s extensive Aston Martin collection, giving further reassurance to the buyer that this is a car with good provenance and one that has obviously been cared for.

General description of Make and/or Model of this Motorcar:

Without the DB2 there would be no modern day Aston Martin with its Formula One team and range of superlative cars. David Brown bought Lagonda and merged the two companies because he needed the firm’s WO Bentley-designed 2.6litre engine in the DB2 to compete with Jaguar’s XK120.

Although only 401 DB2s were ever built (98 of which were drophead coupes), its impact far exceeds its sales. Highly rated by reviewers in period, the DB2 also won first and second in class at Le Mans in 1950 and second at the Sebring 24hr in the same year. The DB2 cemented the Aston Martin legend.

Two DB2 models were available, the Vantage offering 120bhp and the standard car with 100bhp.