Description
Aston Martin wanted to convince potential customers that the new DB2 would continue the marque's motorsport tradition, with brochures from the period proudly touting the company's successes on the racetrack. With a lightweight tubular steel chassis clad in aluminum panels, built by Mulliners of Birmingham, the sleek Sports Saloon lived up to its heritage. At the 24 1950 Hours of Le Mans, DB2s set the lap and distance records for 3-liter cars, and also took first and second place in their class. At the prestigious Tourist Trophy that year, the model went even further by securing a podium finish in its class.
This DB2 was delivered new to Count Charles d'Oultremont of Hainaut, Belgium, through the importer Mannes, and spent its formative years in Brussels, as evidenced by the notes in the copy of his Aston Martin service record. The car left the factory with the sought-after "VB6B" Vantage engine, finished in Moonbeam Grey with Red Piped Grey interior trim. The DB2 was originally equipped with a Purolator oil filter, a manual choke and ignition, and a Smiths speedometer in mph.
In April 1956, the car returned to England, where it was acquired by its second owner, P Parkinson Limited of Middlesbrough. Subsequent owners listed on the build log include Tony Longmate of King's Lynn and a goalkeeper near Liège, as the DB2 returned to Belgium in 2001. The engine was reportedly overhauled in 2009 by Hampton Engines of Westhampton Beach, New York, for a total of $40.211. In 2011, the DB2 was auctioned in the United Kingdom, where it was purchased by The Houtkamp Collection in the Netherlands. From there, the Aston Martin was reportedly shipped to Hong Kong a year later, but soon returned to Europe, where it was returned to England in 2013 by the owner who had consigned it. It was re-registered with the period-correct registration "2 FYE."
At the seller's request, the DB2 was sent to Aston Martin specialist Trinity Engineering, who recommissioned the car in 2014 and 2015. A detailed breakdown of the work—including the engine, transmission, front and rear suspension, brakes, wheels and tires, chassis, bodywork, interior, trunk, and electrical components—is available in the file. The total cost of the recommissioning was £67.415.
The DB2 Coupé still features the matching numbers Vantage engine and is today presented as a glamorous cruiser ideally suited for journeys along continental roads.
