Aston Martin DB2/4 MK2 Drophead Tickford

Aston Martin DB2/4 MK2 Drophead Tickford, 1956
16 units only

Chassis Number: AM300/1121.
Engine Number: VB6J 676.
U.K. Registration Number: XKR 850.
Date of first reg: 21st August 1956.
Exterior colour: Dark Blue Metallic.
Interior colour: Red Leather.
Right Hand Steering,
Manual transmission.

Painted Wire Wheels
Power Steering

Background:
The DB2/4 Mark II was introduced at the London Motor Show; it shared the chassis and mechanical specification with its predecessor. The key changes were in the bodywork and reflected the fact that the body was built at Tickfords, the first Aston Martin to be built by the Newport Pagnell concern since its acquisition by David Brown in 1953. Although little changed in general appearance, the new car was longer, higher and heavier than the DB2/4. The differences were in the detail. A welcome raise in the roofline delivered more passenger headroom in the rear; however, the requirement to retain the same windscreen saw the gap filled by a wide chrome strip above the screen. The production process for the casting of the sills and door posts were changed and the bonnet/wing assembly simplified to allow the side panels behind the front wheel arches to remain fixed. It made the bonnet lighter but with no loss of engine access and allowed permanent ventilation to be added. As was the vogue at the time, rear fins were blended into the design and repeater indicators replaced the old semaphore units and the petrol filler was hidden behind a flap opened from inside the car. The changes in the indicators left a space that was disguised with a chrome strip with the Tickford badge proudly displayed below it. Interior changes were mostly about comfort - more lateral support in the seats, more headroom and courtesy switches for the interior lights. On the controls, Aston Martin had responded to the badgering of the media by replacing the umbrella style handbrake with a more sporting fly-off type. The standard engine specification was the 140 bhp version of the 2922 cc engine but with the option of having an uprated version which, through larger valves and a high lift cam delivered 165 bhp. Although the Works Race Department were focussed on the DB3S, sporting customers could order a plethora of extras for competition purposes. Customers could specify twin exhausts, close ratio gearbox, high compression pistons, 40 DCO Weber carburettors and Alfin brake drums. The Suez crisis at this time and its impact of petrol rationing undoubtedly had a significant impact of sales - only 199 were sold in the two years of its life. While the car was losing ground in performance to some of its rivals, John Bolster summarised his test for Autosport by calling the DB2/4 Mark II " a very sporting car that you can drive in a dinner jacket." Then in 1957 Aston Martin announced a price cut on the DB2/4 Mark II - at the time, they stated that the right hand drive sales had been adversely affected by the petrol crisis and this was an effort to bring sales in line with left hand drive models. Perhaps it was solid decision making by John Wyer, formerly the Race Manager and now General Manager of the Automotive Division, perhaps it was to clear the decks for the launch of the DB Mark III that was launched at Geneva and in the United States in March of that year.
(Source: www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php/carno/4... )

Taken in: Deutschland / Bundesland Berlin / Berlin / Plötzensee (show map)

Taken on: December 20, 2010

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