Special Aston Martins headline British Marques sale

By Lizzie Pope

| 2 Apr 2019

Classic & Sports Car – Special Aston Martins headline British Marques sale

An Aston Martin DB5 with two claims to fame and a historically significant DB2 are set to star at Silverstone Auctions’ British Marques sale.

The DB5 is particularly notable. A lovingly restored 1965 example, it featured on Royal Mail’s special edition of stamps celebrating “the best in British car manufacturing”, issued in August 2013.

Not only that, but it counts TV personality and DJ Chris Evans among its former owners, and it’s been consigned to Silverstone Auctions’ sale at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire on 11 May with an estimate of £675-750,000.

This Silver Birch DB5 with a red, Connolly leather-trimmed cabin and factory headrests, has been restoration by marque specialists and, in 2013, Aston Engineering performed a full engine rebuild.

It’s right-hand drive, has a five-speed manual ’box, disc brakes, and will be sold with a comprehensive history file.

The DB2 is hardly less interesting – and as you can tell from the photos below, it’s a rarity even by Aston Martin standards.

This 1950 Aston Martin DB2 'Washboard’ is just the sixth to be built and is one of only 49 to have the three-piece grille, before the single-piece version was introduced.

The unflattering 'washboard’ moniker came from The Motor’s Lawrence Pommeroy, who told David Brown the grilles looked liked washboards and should be replaced.

This car, still in its original Almond Green over Dark Green, certainly has a distinctive appearance and the auction house describes it as “one of the best, if not the best DB2 in the world”. It is also a Pebble Beach concours prize-winner.

Delivered new to Australia on 14 December 1950, this right-hand drive DB2 has had an extensive four-year restoration by Woodham Mortimer and comes to auction with an estimate of £475-550,000.

“I am really delighted to have these two extremely special Aston Martins in our British Marques sale at Heythrop Park on the 11th May,” said Nick Whale, Managing Director of Silverstone Auctions.

“They are both in the most stunning condition and come with significant history. I am expecting a lot of interest, they really are two very special cars.”

The auction is part of the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club’s three-day Jaguar Festival at Blenheim Palace and Heythrop Park, on 10-12 May.

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