| 1955 ASTON MARTIN DB2-4 Mark I CONVERTIBLE |
This rare, early example of a David Brown era
Aston Martin convertible was originally sold by
Peter Satori of Pasadena, California, on July
7, 1955, and has remained in California ever
since. It is reputed to be one of 70 Dropheads
built and one of only 10 standard coachwork
convertibles with left hand drive.
Apparently, in the early 1980's the car was in
need of restoration including an engine
rebuild. The realities of that era rendered a
full rebuild of the original Aston engine
economically impractical and so, a 327 cid
Chevrolet engine and Muncie 4 speed
gearbox were fitted. In order to manage the
increased torque from the Chevrolet engine,
a Chevrolet rear end was also fitted after
having been appropriately modified to
accommodate the original Aston rear
suspension and knock-off hubs. Outwardly,
the only indications of the engine swap are the
dual exhausts, the throaty V-8 rumble
emanating therefrom and the spectacularly
fast acceleration.
Other aspects of the 1980's restoration
included re-upholstery in vinyl and nylon
carpets (although a correct canvas convertible
top and boot cover were fitted).
Sometime in the late 1980's the car was
acquired by a Southern California
collector/mechanic who drove it once,
collected a ticket for speeding 125 mph and
thereupon stored it away in a barn where it
was eventually uncovered in 2007.
The current owner has caused the car to be
properly registered, tuned, brakes brought up
to standard and fabricated or otherwise
obtained a few missing parts.
This car was of particular interest to the
current owner since he has had in his
possession a correct Aston engine for many
years. This engine can be easily fitted since
the original motor mounts are still intact.
Original DB transmissions are around but a
preferred remedy would be the installation of
a modern 5 speed transmission, a popular
modification performed on many of these cars
by Kevin Kay Restorations in Redding,
California. (See www.eBay.com item no.
400003662199).
While gathering data for this car, the owner
came into possession of a nearly identical but
all original sister car and has now decided that
one or the other has to go. (See www.
rrmpwdhc.com/944.html).
Though not as original as LML/944, this car
could easily be put back to original or left as is
for some spirited and practical road use. The
modifications that have been done to
accommodate the Chevy bits are so minor that
any competent restoration shop could undo
them in a matter of a few days. Further, the
undercarriage of this car has never seen rust
and has only minor damage from various
minor encounters with road hazards.
Aston Martin convertible was originally sold by
Peter Satori of Pasadena, California, on July
7, 1955, and has remained in California ever
since. It is reputed to be one of 70 Dropheads
built and one of only 10 standard coachwork
convertibles with left hand drive.
Apparently, in the early 1980's the car was in
need of restoration including an engine
rebuild. The realities of that era rendered a
full rebuild of the original Aston engine
economically impractical and so, a 327 cid
Chevrolet engine and Muncie 4 speed
gearbox were fitted. In order to manage the
increased torque from the Chevrolet engine,
a Chevrolet rear end was also fitted after
having been appropriately modified to
accommodate the original Aston rear
suspension and knock-off hubs. Outwardly,
the only indications of the engine swap are the
dual exhausts, the throaty V-8 rumble
emanating therefrom and the spectacularly
fast acceleration.
Other aspects of the 1980's restoration
included re-upholstery in vinyl and nylon
carpets (although a correct canvas convertible
top and boot cover were fitted).
Sometime in the late 1980's the car was
acquired by a Southern California
collector/mechanic who drove it once,
collected a ticket for speeding 125 mph and
thereupon stored it away in a barn where it
was eventually uncovered in 2007.
The current owner has caused the car to be
properly registered, tuned, brakes brought up
to standard and fabricated or otherwise
obtained a few missing parts.
This car was of particular interest to the
current owner since he has had in his
possession a correct Aston engine for many
years. This engine can be easily fitted since
the original motor mounts are still intact.
Original DB transmissions are around but a
preferred remedy would be the installation of
a modern 5 speed transmission, a popular
modification performed on many of these cars
by Kevin Kay Restorations in Redding,
California. (See www.eBay.com item no.
400003662199).
While gathering data for this car, the owner
came into possession of a nearly identical but
all original sister car and has now decided that
one or the other has to go. (See www.
rrmpwdhc.com/944.html).
Though not as original as LML/944, this car
could easily be put back to original or left as is
for some spirited and practical road use. The
modifications that have been done to
accommodate the Chevy bits are so minor that
any competent restoration shop could undo
them in a matter of a few days. Further, the
undercarriage of this car has never seen rust
and has only minor damage from various
minor encounters with road hazards.
| H.J. Mulliners Drophead Coupé (Chassis no. LML/835; body no. EH.848) |
| [Note: all words in yellow are linked to pictures and/or further descriptions.] |
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Owner: David J. Walmsley
Address: P.O. Box 11511
San Bernardino, CA 92423
Phone: 310-382-1392 (home/office)
310-795-7791 (cell)
email: esquire90265@yahoo.com
Owner: David J. Walmsley
Address: P.O. Box 11511
San Bernardino, CA 92423
Phone: 310-382-1392 (home/office)
310-795-7791 (cell)
email: esquire90265@yahoo.com
Wheelbase: 99 inches (2515 mm)
Overall length: 169.5 inches (4305 mm)
Weight: XXX lb. (XXX kg.)
Fuel capacity: 20.3 U.S. gal.; 16.9 Imp. gal. (77 litres)
Engine type: gasoline (petrol) V-8
Displacement: 327 cubic inches (XXX litres)
Valve gear: overhead valves with hydraulic lifters
Transmission: Muncie 4 speed with reverse lock-oout
Steering: Aston Martin patent no. XXXX
Brakes: 4 wheel hydraulic drums (XXX inch diameter)
Tires: Originally Dunlop Roadspeed 6.00 x 16 whitewalls;
now fitted with Pirelli Cinturato 185 x 16 blackwalls
Seating (front): 2 individually adjustable XXX seats
originally trimed in blue Muirheads leather (V.M.3015).
Now trimmed in black vinyl.
Seating (rear): 2 occasional seats suitable for small children with folding
backrest giving access to trunk; originally trimmed in blue
Muirheads leather. Now trimmed in black vinyl
Convertible top: Originally trimmed with fawn Boyriven canvas (no. 5240);
Now trimmed in beige Haartz canvas.
Boot cover: Originally trimmed with fawn Boyriven canvas (no. 5240)
with Tenax fasteners; now trimmed in beige Haartz
canvas with durable fasteners
Carpet: double index blue wool Wilton with blue Muirheads
leather binding
Body color: Originally Orient Blue; now Jaguar Regency Red.
Overall length: 169.5 inches (4305 mm)
Weight: XXX lb. (XXX kg.)
Fuel capacity: 20.3 U.S. gal.; 16.9 Imp. gal. (77 litres)
Engine type: gasoline (petrol) V-8
Displacement: 327 cubic inches (XXX litres)
Valve gear: overhead valves with hydraulic lifters
Transmission: Muncie 4 speed with reverse lock-oout
Steering: Aston Martin patent no. XXXX
Brakes: 4 wheel hydraulic drums (XXX inch diameter)
Tires: Originally Dunlop Roadspeed 6.00 x 16 whitewalls;
now fitted with Pirelli Cinturato 185 x 16 blackwalls
Seating (front): 2 individually adjustable XXX seats
originally trimed in blue Muirheads leather (V.M.3015).
Now trimmed in black vinyl.
Seating (rear): 2 occasional seats suitable for small children with folding
backrest giving access to trunk; originally trimmed in blue
Muirheads leather. Now trimmed in black vinyl
Convertible top: Originally trimmed with fawn Boyriven canvas (no. 5240);
Now trimmed in beige Haartz canvas.
Boot cover: Originally trimmed with fawn Boyriven canvas (no. 5240)
with Tenax fasteners; now trimmed in beige Haartz
canvas with durable fasteners
Carpet: double index blue wool Wilton with blue Muirheads
leather binding
Body color: Originally Orient Blue; now Jaguar Regency Red.
Specifications:
| IDENTIFICATION TAG |