1957 aston maryin db2/4 mkii

Aston Martin’s founding principles are beauty, luxury and driving dynamics. The marque perpetually emphasises its heritage by blending engineering refinement with striking beauty, which was exemplary of the DB releases. In 1947, the British motoring brand was consolidated by English industrialist and machine tool producer David Brown who bought Aston Martin and Lagonda. He revolutionised the company by moving all operations to Newport Pagnell. Brown streamlined processes and combined Aston Martin’s racing pedigree with the benefit of Lagonda’s 2.5L W.O. Bentley engine to create the famous DB series. The 1950 DB2 Le Mans prototype became the foundation of many iconic design cues Aston Martin is known for today. Aston Martin unveiled their Mark II upgrade of the DB2/4 at the London Motor Show in 1955. The most observable changes were the raised roofline with a chrome strip and the addition of tailfins. The DB2/4 Mark II initially featured the same engine as its predecessor, though later models added the option of the Special Series engine, which bumped output from 140bhp to 165bhp. The production run for the DB2/4 Mark II spanned two years, with only 199 cars built. Of these 199, only 145 were saloons. This level of rarity makes it a highly desirable acquisition for collectors. Featuring the best of Aston Martin’s elegant design and engineering, the DB2/4 Mark II is a car for collectors with an eye for class. It was the pinnacle of mid-century luxury motoring with a touch of practicality – so much so that David Brown used DB2/4 Mark II as his daily car. Mantel Motors imported this car in Lower Hutt, and it was first registered to Ernest Vogtherr of Napier on 13 March 1957. Vogtheer was a notable New Zealand bacon curer, businessman and art collector who had six original C. F. Goldie paintings in his collection at one stage. Throughout his life, he owned fine sports cars, including marques such as MG, Alvis, Aston Martin and Rover. In later life, even with limited mobility, he held a succession of six early Porsches and a three-litre BMW coupé. Ernest’s son, Gordon Vogtherr, affectionately notes in his 2018 autobiography ‘I too Have Regrets’, “Dad had ordered the newly released 1957 Aston Martin DB 2/4 Mark ll saloon. It was to cost £2,900. This vehicle was painted two-tone, with a silver top and charcoal body. It had 26 coats of paint, and the interior had red upholstery. There was huge excitement when this exotic car arrived safely on the wharf. Dad handed over the cheque and found the credit letter (he sent) in the car, still unopened. This was a genuine 100+mph vehicle. It was the fastest car Dad had owned. It came with a wonderful motor racing pedigree. At the time it was, and still is, a very rare model in New Zealand.” Gordon continued, “In 19,000 miles of motoring, the Aston Martin’s engine was never touched and performed magically. This manufacturer was the first to hinge the whole bonnet and mudguard assembly, making for easy servicing and maintenance. It had a 2992cc twin overhead camshaft motor and the timing chain was 12 foot long. It must have been a huge task to thread on. This vehicle could do 0-100kph in 10.4 seconds. Eventually, in 1961, the car was sent to Manthel Motors (at 19,000 miles) in Lower Hutt, Dad received just £1,000 and a brand-new Renault Dauphine as the balance.” The car has changed hands several times over many years. On 12th March 1962, Manthel Motors sold the car to James Morey of Lower Hutt. It later changed hands to Denis Woods of Days Bay on 1 June 1962. The next owner was Leo Critchley of Levin on 21st August 1962, who kept the car until July 1963, when it was sold to Wright Stevenson in Tauranga at 36,510 miles. In December 1963, it was sold to Robertson Cars in Broadway, Newmarket, who sold it to Harriet Meikle on 12’ February 1964 (39,759 miles). The next owner was Reginald Cook of Pukekohe, who acquired the car in October 1966. Then on 3 November 1966, it was purchased by Bruce Radford (52,455 miles), who rebuilt the engine. In November 2012, the Aston was purchased by our current vendor, based in Auckland at the time. They undertook the restoration project by appointing Atkinson Restoration Services to restore the car. The project was eventually finished two years later in November 2014. Work undertaken involved a complete engine bay restoration, gearbox and clutch overhauls. Also, a differential rebuild, suspension, brakes and shock absorber restoration. New paintwork from bare metal was completed alongside reconditioning of the wheel arches, new chrome work, doors rebuilt, and new glass – apart from the windscreen, which was perfect. Further restoration included the addition of electric ignition, dashboard and instrumentation. The original painted wheels were chromed, and the two-tone paintwork was changed to a more classic black. This culminated in the present car, a virtually new 1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 saloon. The only things not touched during the restoration were the underbody, which was tidy, and the engine, which Bruce Radford had expertly rebuilt after he purchased the car in 1966. The mileage is now displaying 6,514 miles. The car has been refinished with remarkable attention to detail, allowing it to live on to the next generation, ready for a collector who is ready to get behind the wheel. Worldwide the Aston Martin DB2/4 Mklls are now blue-chip collectibles and an even rarer sight on the New Zealand market. It has been Webb’s pleasure to bring this DB2/4 MII to market for our vendor. Engine: 2.9 L Lagonda I6 Gearbox: 4 Speed Manual Brakes: Disc Power: 165 hp (123 kW) Odometer: 6,514 Miles (Displayed) Build numbers: 764 approx For sale by auction at Webb's, Auckland, New Zealand. Auction date: 14 August 2022, 2pm. Please see our full catalogue online at webbs.co.nz