Aston Martin DB2/4

Infobox Automobile
name =Aston Martin DB2/4
manufacturer =Aston Martin


production =1953–1957
764 produced
predecessor =Aston Martin DB2
successor =Aston Martin DB Mark III
class =Sports car
body_style =2+2 hatchback
2-seat drophead
layout =FR layout
engine =2.6 L "Lagonda" I6
2.9 L "Lagonda" I6
length = Auto in|169.5|0
width = Auto in|65|0
height = Auto in|53.5|0
track = Auto in|54|0
wheelbase = Auto in|99|0

The DB2/4 was a sports car sold by Aston Martin from 1953 until 1957. It was based on the DB2 model it replaced, but featured 2+2 seating and a novel hatch back, well ahead of the times. Other changes included a wraparound windscreen, larger bumpers, and repositioned headlights. As before, a drophead coupe was also offered, and private buyers commissioned Bertone to build a handful of spiders.

Overview

The "Lagonda" engine was initially the same dual overhead cam straight-6 designed by W. O. Bentley used in the Vantage version of the DB2. Displacement for this "VB6E" engine was 2.6 L (2580 cc/157 in³), giving 125 hp (93 kW). In mid-1954, a 2.9 L (2922 cc/178 in³) "VB6/J" version was used, pushing power to 140 hp (104 kW) and allowing the car to hit 120 mph (193 km/h).

102 Drophead Coupe models were built of the 565 total Mark I models made.

Three works cars were prepared for the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally and two for the Mille Miglia, but the company's focus was on the sports-special DB3 model.

A 2.9 litre car tested by British magazine The Motor in 1954 had a top speed of convert|118.5|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 10.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|23.0|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £2621 including taxes.cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Aston Martin DB 2-4 (3 litre)| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = August 25 1954]

A drophead coupé appeared in the Alfred Hitchcock film "The Birds". This car, which was bought in the mid 1960s by a Los Angeles resident who had a 327 Corvette motor (with automatic transmission) installed for "roadability" was completely restored at that time, except for the bashes to the undercarriage from the filming which were left for historic interest. However, within two years the car was totalled by a newer owner.

Mark II

A Mark II model, introduced in 1955, allowed for an optional large-valve engine capable of 165 hp (123 kW). Other changes include small tailfins, bubble-type tail lights as on the Hillman Minx, and added chrome. A 2-seat Fixed Head Coupe was also new, in addition to the continued Drophead. Just 30 of the 199 Mark II cars used this new coupe body.

Three Mark II chassis were sent to Carrozzeria Touring in Italy to become Spider models. Touring would later help Aston with the Superleggera design of the DB4.

One significant behind-the-scenes change for the Mark II was the move of coachbuilding responsibilities from Feltham to the Tickford Coachbuilding Works in Newport Pagnell. David Brown had purchased the Works in 1954 and would move all of Aston Martin's operations there with the start of DB4 production.

Production

** Mark I: 565
*** Drophead Coupe: 102
*** Bertone Spider: 4 or 5
** Mark II: 199
*** Fixed Head Coupe: 34
*** Drophead Coupe: about 16
*** Touring Spider: 3

References

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