1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III by Tickford

1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III by Tickford
Sold For $335,500 Including Commission
RM Auction, Amelia Island, Florida 2015
Chassis No.AM300/3/1363
Engine No.DBA/981
Gearbox No.DBCW/167S
Extensive and fascinating early U.S. racing history
Fitted in period with a DB3S competition head and triple Webers
One of 551 examples built; only five owners from new
Restored for vintage rally and tour competition
Includes FIVA Passport
Matching-numbers engine
200+ hp, 2,922 cc DOHC six-cylinder engine with a factory competition cylinder head, manifolds, and triple Weber side-draft carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, torsion bar independent front suspension with coil springs, live rear axle with coil springs and radius rods, and hydraulic front disc and Alfin rear drum brakes. Wheelbase: 99 in.
Since being delivered new to Dr. Robert Pye, of Woodland, California, on November 28, 1958, this early DB2/4 Mark III saloon has enjoyed a long and rewarding life in the hands of its owners. It had been uprated in period for competition use, and its racing history is highlighted by the 16 period participant dash plaques still affixed to the engine compartment bulkhead. Those period races include Laguna Seca in 1958, Pomona Sports Car Races, Cotati, and numerous others, some of which resulted in podium finishes.
It was then set aside to rest for many years, until late 1987, when it passed into the charge of the documented second owner, Steve Warren, who was a resident of North Hollywood, California. The car remained in California until 1994, when it was acquired by noted enthusiast Robert Daly, of Massachusetts, who commissioned its renovation. Unfortunately, before the restoration was completed, Mr. Daly fell ill and decided to sell the car. At the time, the car had undergone some mechanical upgrades and a chassis and cosmetic restoration had been completed.
Early in the car’s life, the cylinder head, manifolds, and SU carburetors were replaced by a factory competition head, intake and exhaust manifolds, and triple Weber 40 DCOE side-draft racing carburetors, which were believed to be from DB3S/112. The car is also fitted with the Girling front disc brakes that had become standard during the Mk III’s production run. To enhance this car’s menacing and purposeful look, a pair of driving lights was neatly mounted within the grille.
The fourth owner, Jean-François Wulpillier of Reichenburg, Switzerland, brought the Mark III back to Europe in 2003. Mr. Wulpillier began to campaign this historic car in Oldtimer rallies. Over the winter of 2004 and 2005, with the car having recorded some 62,500 miles, the restoration effort began anew and included replacing the interior and performing a complete overhaul on the engine. With that work completed, chassis 1363 was entered in more than 40 classic car rallies. In 2013, this beautifully prepared Aston Martin came into the possession of its fifth owner, who also a Swiss resident. As of January 2015, its recorded mileage under his tenure was 78,500 miles.
Included with the MK III is an impressive cache of spare and original parts. These include factory door panels, a front windscreen, interior hardware, two genuine steering wheels (requiring repair), reproduction manuals, contemporary event logs, and numerous electrical parts, many of which are NOS or new. Additionally, the car’s file includes restoration photos, correspondence with the first Swiss owner, period advertisements, and a genuine, rare full-color dealer brochure.
This wonderful and very rapid DB2/4 is a rally and tour veteran that has been maintained properly for use as such, with the most recent servicing being performed by a specialist in Switzerland. It would be welcome at virtually every U.S. post-war rally/tour event, such as the California Mille and Colorado Grand, and it would be a perfect mount for the Copperstate 1000. For an owner wishing to compete in Europe or elsewhere, this car has been issued a current FIVA Passport.
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Robert Myrick Photography