This 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 is one of approximately 565 Mk I examples manufactured during two years of production and was completed on April 7, 1955, before being dispatched to Charles Sidney Limited in Bradford, England. Configured in right-hand drive, chassis LML900 was purchased by its current owner in 1997 and underwent a refurbishment between 2008 and 2013 that included a repaint in green, interior work, and a fuel system refresh. The car is powered by a 2,922cc VB6J inline-six that is equipped with twin SU carburetors and is mated to a four-speed manual transmission. Additional features include servo-assisted four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, 16” wire wheels, tan leather upholstery over 2+2 seating, an engine-turned dashboard fascia, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel with engine-turned spokes. Concours appearances by the car under current ownership have reportedly included best-in-class awards at the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance, AACA Southern National, and British Invasion. This DB2/4 Mark I is now offered on dealer consignment with a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, invoices dating back to the late 1990s, photos from the 2008-2013 refurbishment, a workshop manual, and a Florida title.
The DB2/4 was introduced in October 1953 as an evolution of its predecessor, the DB2, and featured Mulliner coachwork with styling revisions including a single-piece windshield, raised headlights, and more substantial bumpers. Saloons such as this example gained occasional-use rear seats, which were accommodated by a high rear roofline sloping into a hatchback. The Mark I version featured bodywork by Mulliner in Birmingham, England, until it was replaced by the Tickford-bodied Mark II in 1955.
Originally finished in Sea Green, this example is currently finished in a darker green shade and underwent a repaint during the refurbishment between 2008 and 2013, which also included re-plating or replacement of brightwork pieces. Repairs to the left-front rocker panel and wheel well were performed in 2015. Features include chrome bumpers with overriders, Lucas tri-bar headlights, dual fender-mounted side mirrors, a cowl scoop, a cowl-mounted antenna, and rear reflectors. A 2012 AACA National First Prize badge is affixed inside the engine bay.
Bright wire wheels are secured by two-eared knock-offs and are wrapped in 6.00-16 Coker Classic tires. Stopping is handled by four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes with duplex actuation up front.
The right-hand-drive cabin houses front bucket seats and a fold-down rear bench trimmed in tan leather with matching upholstery over the door panels and dash. Additional features include color-matched carpeting, dual cubbies, a passenger-side grab handle, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, a RetroSound digital radio, and a painted body-color rear cargo area lined with rubber runners. The side window channels were repaired in 2014.
The wood-rimmed steering wheel features engine-turned spokes and sits to the right of an engine-turned dash fascia housing Smiths instrumentation including a 140-mph speedometer with an inset clock, a reverse-sweep 6k-rpm tachometer, and a combination gauge. The five-digit odometer shows 7,400 miles.
The 2,922cc VB6J inline-six features dual overhead camshafts, hemispherical combustion chambers, and twin SU carburetors. The fuel system was overhauled during the 2008-2013 refurbishment with work including a rebuild of the fuel tank and replacement of the fuel pump assembly. Additional work during the project included a rebuild of the radiator and the installation of a rebuilt starter and a replacement ring gear. The carburetors were rebuilt in 2022.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Independent front suspension incorporates a transverse torsion bar, while the solid-axle rear is positioned by trailing arms and a Panhard rod. Coil springs and lever-arm shock absorbers are featured all around. The suspension system was refreshed during the 2008-2013 refurbishment, while the differential pinion seal was replaced in 2014.
The BMIHT Certificate lists the original colors as well as the build and dispatch dates. The certificate describes the car as a Mark III, although the serial number and build date are within the Mark I range.