1940 Aston Martin 2-Litre Speed Model Type C
- Engine
- 2.0L SOHC inline-four, twin SU carburetors, dry sump, 125 bhp
Aston Martin Speed Model chassis 718, bodied in the aerodynamic Type C style designed by Claude Hill, is believed to be the last example sold before the close of World War II, departing the factory in late 1940. One of the final eight Speed Models assembled, it retains its original alloy and steel bodywork — a distinction few Type Cs can claim. The car passed through a documented chain of British and European owners before undergoing a thorough frame-up restoration between 1998 and 2002, with mechanical work by specialist Andy Bell utilising Ecurie Bertelli components. It has competed in period speed trials, rallies, and a concours, and appeared at the 2013 St. James's Concours of Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,155,000
- 1940 →Factory deliveryMr. Ansell of Romseyfull documentation
Received the car shortly before the end of 1940, making it reportedly the last Aston Martin delivered before WWII ended. Factory service records track the car through 1950 under this owner.
- 1955-07-01 → 1960-08-01Private salePeter Morton Bayard Rowlandpartial documentation
London-based owner who held the car for approximately five years before selling it on.
- 1960-08-01 → 1962Private saleJohn William Colespartial documentation
Surrey-based owner; car passed through one additional brief custodian after him before reaching the next named owner.
- → 1962Acquisition unknownBrief intermediate ownernone documentation
An unidentified short-term holder between Coles and Perryman, noted only in passing in the provenance account.
- 1962 → 1975Private saleBarry Perrymanfull documentation
Entered the car in at least one concours event and the vehicle was featured in a published automotive journal article during his tenure, confirming its well-preserved original condition at that time.
- 1975 →Private saleMark Goodson of Kilham, Scotlandpartial documentation
Scottish custodian who retained the car for more than a decade before passing it to a German owner.
- 1989 → 1997-11-01Private saleKlaus Grabapartial documentation
Germany-based owner who held the car for roughly eight years before it was purchased by a Düsseldorf buyer.
- 1997-11-01 →Private saleWolfgang Friedrichsfull documentation
Düsseldorf-based long-term custodian who commissioned a thorough frame-up, body-off restoration between 1998 and 2002, with bodywork preservation handled by Marksdanes Ltd. and mechanical work by Andy Bell using Ecurie Bertelli components. Car was shown at one public concours event post-restoration.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMiss Bean of Londonpartial documentation
Acquired the car sometime after the original owner and is documented as having used it in at least one AMOC rally event.
Competition
- 1946Brighton Speed Trials 1946Driver: Mr. Ansell
Original owner used the car in this speed event shortly after the war; no result details recorded.
- 1949AMOCAMOC Warlingham Rally 19491st in class
Miss Bean of London entered and achieved a class win at this Aston Martin Owners Club rally.
- 1967AMOC1967 AMOC Concours1st in class
Barry Perryman entered the car and secured a class victory at the Aston Martin Owners Club concours.
- 2013St. James's Concours of Elegance 2013
The current owner was invited to display the car at this prestigious London concours; noted as the sole public appearance following its frame-up restoration.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1998RestorationMarksdanes Ltd. (bodywork); Andy Bell (mechanical)
Full frame-up, body-off restoration undertaken with particular care to preserve the integrity of original body panels; all mechanical systems were comprehensively overhauled.
Restoration ran from 1998 to 2002. Engine work utilised Ecurie Bertelli's reinforced block, a nitrided steel crankshaft, and a full suite of internal performance upgrades. The original engine block was retained separately and remains at Ecurie Bertelli.
- —ServiceEcurie Bertelli
Fresh service carried out shortly before the auction; included fitting of a new aluminium radiator replicating the original design, and rebuilding of the water pump with new bearings and seals.
Work performed at Ecurie Bertelli's premises in Buckinghamshire, UK.
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